Curriculum Theorist Edward L. Thorndike And His...

Curriculum Theorist Essay Introduction to Edward L. Thorndike and His Curricular Theory Edward L. Thorndike played an integral role in the development of the behaviorist theory. Edward L. Thorndike’s behaviorist principles were a major influence on American education during the first half of the 20th century and, in many ways, continue to have a presence and impact in modern education. In the first half of the 1900’s, science and social studies were not subjects students were expected to learn. According to Gibboney (2006), a notable influence in modern day education is the passage of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act in 2002. It is largely based on Thorndike’s â€Å"mechanistic view of learning† (p.170). â€Å"Judging from the remedial reading programs funded under the Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, NCLB, and most state accountability programs, it seems clear that many legislators, public school educators, and university professors have fully embraced a Thorndikean style of behaviorism† (Gibboney, 2006, p.171). The following sections will focus on how some of the behaviorist theories will influence how I teach and assess students in my classroom, with the primary goal of enhancing the learning experience. Impact to Instruction Teachers who follow the behaviorist theory consider learning to be influenced by external factors, meaning learning â€Å"occurs from the outside in† (Shuell, 2016). These classrooms tend to be more traditional in nature, where the