1. Emphasis on Meaningful Learning:
* Ausubel: Advocated for meaningful learning, where new information is connected to existing knowledge structures (called "advance organizers").
* Bruner: Believed that learning should be meaningful and relevant to the learner's prior experiences. He emphasized the importance of "discovery learning," where students construct their own understanding through exploration and inquiry.
2. Importance of Prior Knowledge:
* Ausubel: Prior knowledge is crucial for meaningful learning. Advance organizers help students activate relevant prior knowledge and create a framework for new information.
* Bruner: Agreed that prior knowledge is essential for understanding and emphasized that learning builds on existing schemas.
3. Focus on Cognitive Processes:
* Ausubel: Emphasized the role of cognitive processes like reception, organization, and integration in learning. He focused on how individuals make sense of and process information.
* Bruner: Similarly, Bruner was interested in how individuals think and learn, emphasizing the development of cognitive skills like problem-solving and critical thinking.
4. Emphasis on Active Learning:
* Ausubel: While Ausubel focused on meaningful reception learning, he did acknowledge that active involvement in the learning process was beneficial.
* Bruner: Strongly advocated for active learning, where students actively engage in the learning process, explore, experiment, and construct their own understanding.
5. The Role of the Teacher:
* Ausubel: Viewed the teacher as a facilitator of learning, providing structure and support for meaningful learning.
* Bruner: Saw the teacher as a guide and facilitator, creating a supportive environment for discovery and exploration.
Key Differences:
Despite these similarities, Ausubel and Bruner's theories differed in their focus:
* Ausubel: Emphasized the reception and organization of information, focusing on how individuals assimilate new knowledge into existing cognitive structures.
* Bruner: Focused on the cognitive processes involved in discovery and problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of active learning and exploration.
In summary, both Ausubel and Bruner shared an emphasis on meaningful learning, the importance of prior knowledge, and the role of cognitive processes in learning. However, their theories differed in their focus, with Ausubel focusing on the reception and organization of information, and Bruner emphasizing the importance of active learning and discovery.