Operant conditioning focuses on behavior and reinforces it with consequences. Its advantages are that it sets clear goals for students trying to understand a specific lesson and makes objectives easily recognizable, says instructional technologist Lynda Abbott. One of the major pluses of operant conditioning is that it elicits a response; however, not all responses may be positive. When the student does not respond correctly, the teacher may punish her or take something away from her. This may contribute to future negative behavior in some cases.
Observational learning offers students an opportunity to learn through their interaction with others and their environment. This learning technique focuses on real-life experience rather than depending on a formal learning structure. Benefits include social interaction, enhancing memory and promoting enjoyment of learning, according to Daniel of Benefit Of. net. One of the disadvantages of observational learning is that progress is subjective, and teachers may have a hard time understanding behaviors by using this technique.
Learning through play offers students an opportunity to enhance their mental and physical health. Students may not even realize they are learning and thus have a much more enjoyable experience. Advantages include improving creativity, imagination and problem-solving abilities, Gina Kemp notes on HelpGuide.org. However, learning through play doesn't provide students with the concrete knowledge and skills necessary to further their education.
Electronic learning is education over the Internet. Students receive the material from instructors and are responsible for learning the material through self-study. Instructors at Iowa State University say advantages include the flexibility to schedule assignments around personal and professional obligations, saving money on transportation, using different learning styles and developing computer and Internet skills. But students need to develop good study habits on their own. They may also discover disadvantages that make learning difficult, such as lack of structure and an unreliable Internet.