Useful+definitions

**Definitions**



**//Behaviourism://** Is a theory that had been strongly attributed to Skinner (1957, as cited in Harmer, 2007) and holds that behaviour, including human behaviour, is able to be controlled and defined as ‘stimulus-response’. Behaviour can be modified and learning occurs in set stages that can be manipulated. Other notable behavioural theorists include Chomsky and Pavlov. **//Constructivism://** This theory holds that the reality we experience is not fixed but it is constructed and as such meaning is socially, culturally and historically situated (Mutch, 2005). Piaget defined the processes of accommodation and assimilation as individuals construct knowledge through their adjustment (accommodation) to the external stimuli and the assimilation of new information into an existing framework. Other notable theorists include Dewey, Montessori, Bruner and Vygotsky. **//Educational culture: //** The predominant model of teaching and learning that is particular to an individual setting and that which is evident in the interactions between those involved in the learning process. This is modelled in the first instance by the teaching staff who also propagate it through their own actions (Schubart, 2007). Geert Hofstede (2004) defines culture as how individuals think, feel, and then potentially act. He believes that the source of these thoughts, feelings, and ‍acts ‍are collected through a person’s life. ‍Educational culture can be defined in a similar way, influencing the thoughts, feeling and actions of students and the manner in which they approach learning‍.