Introduction
Learning is a very important part of life which creates the positive change in the attitude of a human being. Change is the only constant thing in life, which can be brought through learning. Learning helps to change the attitude that ultimately helps both individual and professionals to succeed in life. There are many learning theories proposed by various thinkers and researchers as a guide to strive for a positive change in life and at workplace. Some theorists suggested that a motivation; recall power and thoughts plays a significant role in the process of learning. In today’s fast changing environment learning, helps to determine the success in life. In his study “Conceives of Learning”; considered learning as a change agent of permanent change in the behavior with the help of both activity with the help of observation and process based on the thoughts, attitudes and emotions. Among various methods and theories proposed by various thinkers simulation method considered as one of the widely used methods to impart learning among learners. Simulation provides environment to the learners to have a feeling like actual situation. Sometimes; simulation used to build a theory that helps to guide practitioners and trainers to train learners.
Theories of Learning
There is no theory of learning good or bad; it is the requirement of companies, groups and individuals choose the best suited theory. Theories of learning are meant for the learning and how people learn the things and processes in the organization. The various learning theories are sensory simulation theory, reinforcement theory, cognitive learning theory, holistic learning theory, facilitation theory, and experiential learning theory, action learning theory, motivational learning theories and observational learning theories. All these learning theories considered learning the basics of learning theories and apply the best suited theory into practical by the leaders. It is a leader who chooses the best suited learning theory in the organization to impart skills, knowledge and culture among the employees. Learning provides guidance to the organization what to do and what not to do to get the desired result. There are various learning theories available in front of leaders to choose the best suited learning theory among them. Theories are meant for guidance only it is the leader and learner which actually decides the effectiveness of learning theories. Learning theories also depends upon the effectiveness of instructional design. Instructional design is defined as process, discipline, science, reality, system and technology.
Observational learning is one of the most successful learning model and method used today to impart learning to the target audience. Observational learning based on the three elements mainly a live model where an instructor or individual present the required behavior. A verbal instructional model involves explanation and describes the behavior with the help of written material. Third element is a symbolic model that includes an imaginary model of behavior taken from the comics, films, television or novel to impart the required skills and knowledge to behave in required way at work.
Instructional Design helps in Learning
As a process instructional design helps to develop the instructions and specifications of learning material in a systematic way and also ensure the quality maintenance of the instructional material. As a discipline instructional design, considered as a branch of knowledge meant for development of a theory with the help of research to develop and implement the learning strategies. It is also considered as a science that deals with the detailed observation and specification about the learning.
Instructional design is used widely to impart the learning among the employees, and it also helps to evaluate the results of training. Training always meant for imparting new learning or to unlearn something that is not required in the organization. Instructional design helps to systematize the learning program among the learners. It is applicable in all the small and large types of problems and themes including each level of difficulty. Instructional design is also known as reality that means it’s not just an idea but actually implemented through proper instruction based material to deliver and impart required skills and knowledge among target audiences. All this happened and prepared in a very systematic fashion. Instructional design is also known as instructional system because it follows a systematic process in developing a process and plan to implement in learning. Instructional technology is the summation of instructional design and instructional development which brings synergy in the learning organizations. Instructional design meant for the leaders of learning organizations to provide a ready reference in a systematic way to implement learning among the employees in the organizations. It always helps in streamlining the process in the organization. Proper learning requires systematic design for giving instructions and instruction design plays an important role in imparting learning.
Conclusion
There are as many as learning theories and instructional design available in front of leaders to impart required knowledge and skills among the target audiences but to choose the right model is up to the leader. Instructional design helps to design the structure of learning material in a systematic and scientific way. In learning theories, observational learning theory helps to impart the required skills and knowledge through three step model.
References
Burns, S. (1995). Rapid changes require enhancement of adult learning. Sydney : Business and Professional Publishing.
Cherry, K. (2014). Social Learning Theory. Retrieved 04 21, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/sociallearning.htm
Davies, e. a. (2013). Developing Theory Through Simulation Methods. Academy of Management Review .
Definitions of Instructional Design. (n.d.). Retrieved 04 21, 2014, from http://www.umich.edu/~ed626/define.html
Dunn, L. (2000). Theories of learning. Retrieved 04 21, 2014, from http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/ocsld/resources/theories.html
Smith, A. &. (2004). Mobile learning anytime everywhere. MLEARN.
