From Theory to Practice: Bringing Learning Theories to Life in Instructional Design

Ever felt stuck translating learning theories into actual instructional design practice? You're not alone. Learning theories like Behaviorism and Constructivism often remain abstract concepts rather than practical tools—until now.

This episode bridges that crucial gap between theory and application, transforming five major learning theories into actionable design strategies you can implement immediately. We explore Behaviorism's power for compliance training through immediate feedback and reward systems, Cognitivism's approach to organizing information to reduce cognitive load, and Constructivism's emphasis on building understanding through authentic problem-solving experiences. We also discover how Humanism recognizes learners as whole people with personal goals and motivations, and how connectivism addresses learning in our networked, digital world.

The most valuable insight? You don't need to pledge allegiance to a single theory. The art of instructional design lies in intentionally selecting the right theoretical approach—or blend of approaches—for your specific learning context, goals, and audience. As we explore in this episode, when we move beyond being mere content creators to becoming experience architects, we transform learning from information delivery to genuine transformation.

🔗 Episode Links:

Please check out the resource mentioned in the episode. Enjoy!

From Theory to Practice Canvas

Send Jackie a Text

Join PodMatch!
Use the link to join PodMatch, a place for hosts and guests to connect.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

💟 Designing with Love + allows you to support the show by keeping the mic on and the ideas flowing. Click on the link above to provide your support.

☕ Buy Me a Coffee is another way you can support the show, either as a one-time gift or through a monthly subscription.

🗣️ Want to be a guest on Designing with Love? Send Jackie Pelegrin a message on PodMatch, here: Be a guest on the show

🌐 Check out the show's website here: Designing with Love

📱 Send a text to the show by clicking the Send Jackie a Text link above.

👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

Episode Transcript

Jackie Pelegrin (00:01):
Hello and welcome to the Designing with
Love podcast.
I am your host, Jackie Pelegrin, where my goal is to bring you
information, tips, and tricks asan instructional designer.
Hello, GCU students, alumni,and fellow educators, welcome to
episode 63 of the Designingwith Love podcast.

(00:22):
So maybe you've heard the namesbehaviorism, cognitivism,
constructivism, humanism, andconnectivism but aren't quite
sure what to do with them.
Sound familiar?
You're not alone.
Understanding these theories isa great start, but the real
magic happens when we move fromtheory to practice, when we

(00:44):
bring them to life in the way wedesign, build, and deliver
learning experiences.
In this episode, I'll walk youthrough each of the major
learning theories, show you whatthey look like in action, and
share practical tips forapplying them, especially if
you're new to instructionaldesign.
So grab a cup of coffee, yournotebook, and let's get started.

(01:07):
Let's begin with behaviorism,the classic theory of learning
through conditioning.
It's all about observablebehaviors, reinforcement, and
repetition.
You'll see this theory inaction anytime you design a
course with practice drills,quizzes, or rewards for correct
answers.
Think, if the learner does X,then Y happens.

(01:30):
In practice, you can do thefollowing.
Number one use short focusassessments with instant
feedback.

Number two (01:37):
reward progress with digital badges or
certificates.

Number three (01:42):
repeat key information through spaced
repetition or a gamified review.
Here's an example of thistheory in practice.
Imagine you're designing acompliance training on workplace
safety.
You might create short lessonswith multiple-choice quizzes.
Each correct answer getsimmediate feedback and moves the

(02:06):
learner forward.
Finish the course, earn a badgeand certificate.
Why it works.
This theory encourages correctbehaviors through reinforcement,
perfect for tasks that requireaccuracy and memorization.
Next up is cognitivism, whichfocuses on how learners take in,
process, and store information.

(02:28):
Where behaviorism focuses onthe output, cognitivism looks at
the mental processes involvedin learning, like perception,
memory, and problem solving.
To apply this theory, try thefollowing: Number one, chunking
content into manageable sections.
Number two, using advancedorganizers like concept maps or

(02:50):
outlines.
Number three aligning contentto Bloom's taxonomy, scaffold
higher-order thinking.
Here's an example of this theoryin practice.
Imagine you're designing asoftware onboarding course.
Instead of a long, overwhelmingvideo, you break it into
bite-sized lessons, each onebuilds on the previous.

(03:12):
You use flowcharts and diagramsto visually guide learners
through complex workflows.
Why it works Cognitivism helpsreduce cognitive overload and
supports retention by organizinginformation in a logical,
learner-friendly way.
Now let's talk aboutconstructivism.
This one's all about learnersbuilding their own understanding

(03:35):
through experiences, reflectionand social interaction.
You can put this theory intopractice by doing the following
Number one designingproblem-solving scenarios or
case studies.
Number two encouraging learnersto reflect, collaborate or even
co-create.
Number three incorporatingreal-world tasks where learners

(03:57):
apply knowledge.
Here's an example of thistheory in practice.
Let's say you're creating aleadership training for new
managers.
Instead of lecturing, youpresent a workplace scenario and
ask learners to analyze it,make decisions and discuss their
rationale in a group forum.
Why it works Learners aren'tjust absorbing information,

(04:20):
they're engaging in meaningful,contextualized learning
experiences that mirror the realworld.
Now let's shift gears intosomething a bit more personal
humanism.
This theory is all about growth, motivation and the idea that
learners are whole people, notjust information processors.
To use humanism in your designs, I suggest the following Number

(04:45):
one offer learner choicethrough self-directed pathways.
Number two includeopportunities for reflection,
journaling or discussion amongpeers.
Number three support intrinsicmotivation by aligning the
learning with personal goals.
Here's an example of thistheory in practice.
Picture a wellness course foremployees.

(05:06):
You offer several modulesnutrition, stress management and
work-life balance and letlearners choose where to start.
Each session ends with a shortreflection prompt encouraging
self-awareness and personalgrowth.
Why it works when learners feelseen, valued and empowered,

(05:27):
they are more likely to beengaged and take ownership of
their learning.
Last but not least isconnectivism a modern theory for
a digital age.
It suggests that learninghappens through networks and
that knowledge is distributed,not just held in one's mind, but
across people and technology.
To put this theory intopractice, you can do the

(05:49):
following.
Number one build communitylearning spaces using forums or
social tools.
Number two encourage learnersto find, curate and share their
own resources.
Number three teach learners howto learn how to search, filter
and evaluate information online.
Here's an example of thistheory in practice.

(06:11):
Information online here's anexample of this theory in
practice.
Imagine you're building adigital literacy course.
Rather than creating all thecontent yourself, you guide
learners to explore videos,blogs and articles.
They then contribute to ashared wiki, building a living
library of resources together.
Why it works this empowerslearners to navigate a

(06:32):
fast-changing informationlandscape and stay connected to
current knowledge.
So which theory should youchoose?
The answer is it depends.
Here's some quick tips to helpyou.
Tip number one use behaviorismwhen teaching facts, rules or
procedures.
Tip number two use cognitivismwhen teaching concepts or

(06:54):
structured processes.
Tip number three useconstructivism for problem
solving and experientiallearning.
Tip number four, use humanismto foster motivation and
personal development.
And finally, tip number five,use connectivism for digital,
collaborative or lifelonglearning experiences.
Oh, and guess what?

(07:15):
You don't have to choose justone.
Many great learning experiencesblend different learning
theories.
The key here is to beintentional.
Match your theory or theoriesto the goals, learners, and the
context of your next project.
As instructional designers,we're more than just content
creators.
We're experienced architects,and when we use learning

(07:37):
theories with purpose, we movefrom just teaching to truly
transforming.
So the next time you start aproject, ask yourself: what do I
want my learners to feel, do,and understand, and then, which
theory can help bring thatvision to life?
As instructional designers, wedon't just create content.

(07:58):
We create opportunities fortransformation.
Here's a little reflectionactivity before we go: Think of
a current or upcoming designproject with which learning
theory aligns best with yourgoals and audience?
How might you apply it?
In one or two specific ways.
Make sure to pause, reflect,and jot your ideas down, or

(08:21):
share them with a colleague.
This is where the real learningstarts, by taking action.
As I mentioned earlier, asinstructional designers, we're
more than just content creators.
We're experienced architects,and when we use learning
theories with purpose, we movefrom just teaching to truly
transforming.
If you found this episodehelpful, I encourage you to

(08:43):
share it with a colleague orfellow instructional designer,
especially if they are new tothe field.
Chances are they will also findsome valuable information they
can apply to their projects.
As I conclude this episode,here's an inspiring quote from
Asada Shakur Theory withoutpractice is just as incomplete

(09:04):
as practice without theory.
The two have to go hand in hand.
This quote underscores thatunderstanding theories is
essential, but real impacthappens when they're applied
intentionally in design.
Thank you for taking some timeto listen to this podcast
episode today.
Your support means the world tome.
If you'd like to help keep thepodcast going, you can share it

(09:28):
with a friend or colleague,leave a heartfelt review or
offer a monetary contribution.
Every act of support, big orsmall, makes a difference and
I'm truly thankful for you.