Theory Review of Emotions and Learning

 

Dalton Coers

EDAC 635

Ball State University

Dr. Bo Chang

10-01-2022

Theory Review of Emotions and Learning

Name:	Commented On
Dalton Coers	Vicki Cooper

 

Main Theoretical Points

Emotions have a massive role in an adult learners’ journey. What are emotions? It is a term used to describe an arousal state exceeding optimal levels and having a positive or negative meaning for the individual (Mackeracher 2004).  Emotions, whether negative or positive, have the following features in common (More 1974): they are all special states of arousal, as arousal increases so does the emotions, as arousal increases behavior becomes increasingly motivated, if arousal continues beyond the individual’s maximum ability to respond / motivation decreases rapidly. There many theories out there for adult learning, but which of those theories best explain why emotions play a big part in an adult learners’ journey.

One theory that can offer lots of explanations for emotions in learning is the Experiential Learning Theory. Experiential Learning focuses on the idea that adults are shaped by their experiences, and that the best learning comes from making sense of your experiences (WGU Indiana). By being able to utilize past experiences in their classwork, students will be able to grow and adapt during their journey. The emotions that will occur during a person’s learning journey will allow them the ability to look back and see how they felt in certain situations. If for instance they have a certain stressful situation, they could look back on their past experiences and see how they handled the situation. Then they could possibly put that past experience to use in their current situation. In a journal written by Annette Clancy and Russ Vance, they look at the "shadow" side of emotions and learning that is often ignored and avoided by people (Clancy 2019). The shadow side deals with the emotions of frustration, anxieties and anger in situations. In their journal, they speak about running a module and focusing on the students being able to harness those emotions and turn them from being a negative into a positive. 

Another theory that emotions play a big part in is Self-Directed Learning Theory. According to Schweder and Raufelder, students will develop their own learning questions across domains with learning actions that are based on their own ideas, which supports their self-determination. When students have confidence, their emotions tend to favor their learning experience. Having confidence in yourself will always benefit the student in some way. Whether that is being more focused on the project, or being determined to put the best work out there. There is another side to this however. During the pandemic, almost everyone was sent home to shelter in place. As restrictions started to lift, colleges and universities had to prepare for online learning. Remote learning was happening all across the United States. Students were facing not only the pandemic, but also trying to navigate this new online world. The question is, how did students do during this time? With the classes they were in, did they feel confident in their learning? Were they focused in their learning? Did they stick to their deadlines and complete their assignments? These all deal with a multitude of emotions. Anxiety, boredom, confusion, anger, sadness, glee, loneliness, mental overload; these are just a few that come to mind. Tzafilkou, Perifanou, and Economides wrote a journal speaking about the negative emotions, cognitive load, and acceptance in emergency remote education. They speak about the emotions that students faced during this period of time. They found that anxiety greatly affected the learning outcomes of students (Tzafilkou 2021). This will hit home for several students because the online presence isn't for everyone. Virtual communication, lack of togetherness with classmates, and the feeling of loneliness are all emotions that can have massive impacts on a person's learning.

The final theory is broaden-and-build theory. This theory describes emotions as short-term cognitive and physiological experience, which directs individuals’ thinking and related behaviors (Scheweder 2019). As positive emotions happen, they broaden the awareness of an individual. This allows them to explore new thoughts and behaviors that they previously may not have known they enjoyed. There is also a chance that it may broaden a student’s social resources and that it would lead to more positive outcomes over their learning journey.

Applications

          How can students utilize their emotions? Are they cognizant of when their emotions are being a benefit to their learning or when its being a negative to their learning? How can theories help explain certain outcomes? I will speak about each theory and give an example to how it pertains to emotions and learning.

Experiential Learning Theory

          The experiential learning theory focuses around students utilizing their own history and experiences to grow in their studies. If you choose to use this method, it will require adaptability and reflection. I believe this is a very useful learning method due to the fact that each person has their own history and experience and can draw on those experiences in a variety of different situations. An example of someone using the experiential learning theory, as it pertains to emotions and learning, would be the following. A student has a deadline approaching for a big paper that is due. The student has yet to finish the paper and has begun to stress about getting the assignment completed. That stress is starting to make them panic. The student slows down, and remembers that they have been in this very spot before and have completed the assignment. They focus and get to work. After completing the assignment, this ability to overcome and adapt has helped them finish their assignment and has given them more confidence.

Self-Directed Learning Theory

          The self-directed learning theory allows students the autonomy to develop their own learning path. Creating actions that will enhance their self determination and in turn their confidence. I believe this theory goes hand in hand with emotions and learning. As a student in this class, you are given the material and tools to be successful. We are given the ability to create a plan that best suits us and our lives as students. This is beneficial because each student may be in a different situation and may need to have a different path of learning then others. Some students may want to work ahead and finish assignments quickly, others may need to take time and complete assignments week to week. Both allow for students to manage their emotions and not to get overwhelmed.

Broaden-and-Build Theory

          The broaden and build theory stems around students putting themselves out there to enhance their chances of building connections. This is a tough one when it comes to emotions and learning. There is a potential for many highs and lows on the emotions side. Being able to manage those emotions would be critical. However, if students are able to utilize this theory, it would allow them to build up the social network and find resources that they may not had before!

Reflection

          Emotions and learning have always intrigued me during this course. It is something that I had never considered when I was going through my undergrad. How many times that I rode the rollercoaster of highs and lows. If I would’ve just looked introspectively and thought through what was happening. Maybe I could’ve changed some things. As I have read more and more on emotions and learning, the more I realize that it isn’t just with what your studying. It ties into your everyday life. I read a great article on emotions with online learning. I believe when you are in the classroom, you are able to get that social aspect of learning and you can build relationships with other students. And that could make a huge difference with your emotions and how you view the work you are doing in that class. When you look at online learning, you don’t get that social connectiveness. It is much more difficult to try and connect with other students.  Your emotions could have a wide range and can swing from positive to negative. I personally have found that the swing from positive to negative can happen very fast. Stress, for me, is what I feel the most when it comes to the emotions. Working on managing stress levels and taking steps to minimize its impact on my learning is key.

Highlights

          The highlights of this review would be on the different theories that students could utilize. There are many different types of theories and when it comes to emotions and learning, each one can affect those emotions in different ways. There can be a myriad of different examples that you could write for each theory, but every person is different and will have different emotions to each example.

Process

          I first started looking for articles, book chapters, and information that was related to emotions and learning in adult education. When I was reading through the articles, I would be highlighting different sections that I would like to use in the review. As I am looking through which parts I am going to want to use, I am also weeding through which parts I am not going to use. I then start writing my review by putting all the main headers in first. Then I work section by section until I am finished. A couple of tips that I have for future students. Get a variety of articles or books to use for your content. This will allow you the ability to have a wide variety of materials covered with multiple sources on top. Another tip is please do not procrastinate. The amount of stress (yes bringing it back to the emotions) will force you to try and work faster and faster and you could potentially not think through what you are writing. This could leave sections not making sense, or a myriad of other things could happen. Give yourself time to gather information, time to put a plan together, and time for you to finish your product. It will make the process of completing your project so much more enjoyable and less stressful.

Tables

Main Theoretical Ideas	Summary of How to Apply Theories
Experiential Learning Theory	Students can use reflection from their past experiences to help guide them through their current situation. Utilizing those experiences can help build confidence in how to overcome negative emotions.
Self-Directed Learning Theory	Students can build their own path of learning. Using this theory, they will be able to set themselves up best, which in turn will give them the ability to have confidence in their decision making.
Broaden-and-Build Theory	By broadening your horizons as a student, you will be able to find resources that you may not have had before. This will take confidence and adaptability to pursue, but at the end it will be very rewarding for you as a student.

 

References:

Clancy, A., & Vince, R. (2019). "If I Want to Feel My Feelings, I'll See a Bloody Shrink": Learning From the Shadow Side of Experiential Learning. Journal of Management Education. Vol 43, Issue 2, Pg 174-184

Mackeracher, Dorothy (2004). Making sense of adult learning. University of Toronto Press.

More, W.S. (1974). Emotions and adult learning. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

Schweder, S., & Raufelder, D. (2019) Positive emotions, learning behavior and teacher support in self-directed learning during adolescence: Do age and gender matter?. Journal of Adolescence, 73, 73-84.

Tzalfilkou, K., Perifanou, M., Economides, A. (2021) Negative emotions, cognitive load, acceptance, and self-perceived learning outcome in emergency remote education during Covid-19. Education and Information Technologies. 26:7497-7521

(2020-04-07). Adult Learning Theories and Principles. WGU Indiana. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/adult-learning-theories-principles2004.html#close