Theories, Models, and
Strategies
By Dr. Renee Rubin
Spring 2011
Theories, Models, and Strategies
• Theories are general perspectives about
how people learn
• Models explain how the theories are
applied to teaching and learning
• Strategies are used in daily literacy
instruction and learning
Theories
• Two theories that have most impacted
reading are:
– Behaviorism
– Constructivism
Theory
• Behaviorism
– Information is transmitted from a more
knowledgeable source to a less
knowledgeable source
– Reading is understanding the message of the
author
– There is one correct interpretation of the text
Model
• Behaviorism
– Teacher plans and directs instruction
• Instruction should be broken into small parts
• Instruction should be sequenced from easiest to
hardest
• Easier material should be mastered before moving
on to more difficult material
• Teacher sets behavioral objectives that are
observable and measurable
Model
• Behaviorism
– The student receives information from the
teacher
– The students accurately apply the reading
and writing skills taught by the teacher
Strategies
• Behaviorism
– Direct explanation
– Modeling
– Guided practice
– Feedback
– Application
Strategies
• Examples of strategies used with behaviorism
– Blending, segmenting, and manipulating sounds in
language (phonological awareness)
– Teaching letter-sound relationships in isolation
(explicit instruction of phonics)
– Spelling
• Making words
• Word walls
• Flash cards
Assessment
• Behaviorism
– Assessments should be objective
– Students should be assessed on skills
needed for reading, such as phonics, fluency,
and use of comprehension strategies
– Students should be assessed on skills
needed for writing, such as grammar and
spelling
Theory
• Constructivism
– Learning is construction of knowledge based
on new information combined with existing
knowledge, culture, and experience
– Each person understands a text differently
– Even the same person will understand a text
differently at different points in time
Model
• Constructivism
– Reading is taught through whole texts
– Writing is taught through writing process
– Reading and writing are best learned through
doing the real thing rather than working on
specific skills or strategies
Model
• Constructivism
– The student is responsible for his/her own
learning
– The student chooses most text to read and
most topics for writing
– Social-constructivism emphasizes the
importance of interaction with peers too
Strategies
• The following are examples of strategies
used by constructivists
– Journal writing
– Student-designed projects
– Writing workshop
• Teacher-student conferencing
– Readers’ workshop
Strategies
• The following are examples of strategies
used by constructivists
– Reader response
– Self-selected silent reading
– Literature circles
– Cooperative learning
• Peer editing
Assessment
• Constructivism
– Learning is often unobservable to someone
else
– Reading should be assessed through the
reading and interpretation of real, complete
texts
– Writing should be assessed using rubrics
– Miscue analysis is used to understand what
cueing systems are being used effectively
Balance
• Interactive/Balanced/Eclectic Instruction
– Based on the belief that behaviorism and
constructivism each have strengths and
weaknesses
– The exact composition of instruction will vary
depending on learner needs
Strengths and Weaknesses
• Strengths of behaviorism
– Teacher can make sure that certain content is
covered
– Students have specific tasks to complete
• Weaknesses of behaviorism
– Material may be covered but not learned
– Can be boring
Strengths and Weaknesses
• Strengths of constructivism
– Motivating for most students
– Encourages more higher level thinking
• Weaknesses of constructivism
– Students may not learn important skills, such
as spelling or grammar
– Students need to be taught how to work
without as much teacher direction