There are numerous pedagogical approaches to consider as an educator or educational leader. Having a firm grasp on various strategies can help those in this field perform at a high level and offer students better, more personalized support. One theory that may help in understanding how to engage students is social learning theory (SLT).
When studying to become an educational leader, it is important to find a program that covers theories like SLT alongside a foundation in leadership. A strong core education will be helpful to future education administrators, whether they work within an academic institution, a nonprofit organization or another context. With courses like Student Development and Learning Theories, the online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership program from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) prepares graduates for fulfilling careers related to education.
Key Principles of Social Learning Theory
SLT is one of many theories about learning that provides insights into how students engage with new information. Created by psychologist Albert Bandura, SLT is useful to educators and educational leaders who want to improve learning outcomes.
Via SLT, Bandura posited that people learn not only by actively doing something themselves but also by observing others, especially when observing a “similar other” demonstrating a behavior. Bandura’s research took place in the ’60s and ’70s but still holds relevance for psychologists and educators today.
In fact, SLT has expanded with more recent observational learning research into the usefulness of educational resources such as podcasts and video instruction. Bandura also outlined four mediational processes that support learning through behavior modeling: attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.
The Role of Modeling, Promoting Collaboration
The digital learning platform Lambda Solutions explains that SLT has many applications within educational spaces, including digital learning. For example, SLT points out that peer collaboration and online communities are powerful tools.
This suggests that an educator’s role is not only to share information hierarchically but also to encourage connections between students by creating a supportive environment. The company also states that SLT supports using technology to enhance learning, like video-based courses.
An Educational Psychology Review article also illustrates the benefits of this approach. According to authors Siyuan Li, Yi-Chun Hong and Scotty D. Craig, “as a crucial theory that offers a conceptual framework for understanding the role of human agency in learning, [SLT] can shed light on the underlying mechanisms of learners’ social learning behaviors, such as engagement and collaboration, in online learning contexts.”
Professional Development for Educators
So, how do future educators and educational leaders gain the experience necessary to implement SLT within their pedagogical strategies? Of course, they may learn from peers while on the job — an approach that befits SLT’s core principles — but having access to an educational process that underscores the importance of SLT and other learning theories can be profoundly impactful.
That is why NKU’s online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program emphasizes learning theories in its foundational courses. Through courses such as Student Development and Learning Theories, students come away with an understanding of the “affective and cognitive aspects” of student development and educational experiences, starting with psychological theories and ending with practical application.
This type of program further supports participants by emphasizing leadership theories. Participants are encouraged to examine the social and historical contexts of these theories, analyze their uses and gain confidence in applying them to real-life work situations. NKU graduates can use this knowledge of theory in their roles as deans, education administrators and nonprofit organization leaders.
Learn more about Northern Kentucky University’s online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program.
