Albert+Bandura

 =Albert Bandura=

Introduction
====Albert Bandura, who earned his clinical psychology PhD from the University of Iowa, is known for Social Cognitive Theory and Self Efficacy. “Social cognitive theory is concerned with the interaction between cognition, behavior, and the environment” (Bandura,2001,p1). Social cognitive theory claims that “individuals possess self-beliefs that enable them to exercise a measure of control over their thoughts, feelings, and actions, that what people think, believe, and feel affects how they behave” (Boeree,1998,p1). For example, if people think positively and have positive attitudes then they will behave in a positive way. The opposite would also be true; if a person thinks, believes, and feels in a negative way then in turn, that is how they will behave. However, according to Bandura, this attitude can be improved or changed. Bandura theorizes, “strategies for increasing well-being can be aimed at improving emotional, cognitive, or motivational processes, increasing behavioral competencies, or altering the social conditions under which people live and work” (Boeree,1998,p1). In an educational setting it is crucial for the teachers and administration to build and create a positive environment for the students. “Using social cognitive theory as a framework, teachers can work to improve their students' emotional states and to correct their faulty self-beliefs and habits of thinking (personal factors), improve their academic skills and self-regulatory practices (behavior), and alter the school and classroom structures that may work to undermine student success (environmental factors)” (Boeree,1998,p1). This means students are at risk of being influenced by negative teachers. When given a positive environment to thrive and grow in, they can become positive and happy individuals who want to better themselves.====

Theory
====Bandura’s other theory, the Theory of Self Efficacy, deals with human motivation and well-being. More specifically, “self-efficacy beliefs provide the foundation for human motivation, well-being, and personal accomplishment” (Pajares,2002,p1). This refers to people trying to better themselves because they want to. However, they cannot control things like thinking “productively, self-debilitating, pessimistically or optimistically; how well they motivate themselves and persevere in the face of adversities; their vulnerability to stress and depression, and the life choices they make” ( Pajares,2002,p1 ). These variables can have an impact on the way a person deals with events in his or her life. “Individuals interpret the results of their attainments, however, just as they make judgments about the quality of the knowledge and skills they posses” (Pajares,2002,p1 ). Self-efficacy is based on the ideas of the person. What might seem like a success or positive thing for one person can be negative for another. Part of this theory deals with self-regulatory activity which is “ways in which internal standards affect motivation and actions” (Bandura,2001,p1). For example, if a student who is used to earning A's gets a B on an assignment this can cause them to become angry or depressed. On the other hand, someone who is used to getting Cs would be excited to receive a B on an assignment.====

Technology and Learning
====When trying to integrate technology into the classroom teachers need to introduce new concepts slowly to allow for students to feel successful and positive about the concept. When it comes to self-efficacy students who are confident in their skills perform better. According to Bandura’s theory, in order for learning to take place the lesson must grasp the learner’s attention, allow for retention, and then have the learner reproduce the information. Using technology the teacher can ensure these three ideas are met. For example, “If the model is colorful and dramatic, for example, we pay more attention” (Boeree, 1998, p1). When using tools such as blogs, PowerPoint, iMovie, or Animoto, students are captured by the color and the design of the technology. Teachers can use this to grab the learner’s attention. Once the learner’s attention is acquired then the teacher must ensure the student is retaining the information presented. “We store what we have seen the model doing in the form of mental images or verbal descriptions” (Boeree, 1998, p1). The teacher can see what student is retaining by having them apply the knowledge in an online discussion forum. The last part of the theory is having the students reproduce the information. “You have to translate the images or descriptions into actual behavior” (Boeree, 1998, p1). Teachers can have students reproduce the concepts by using technology programs such as creating a Facebook page for a certain historical person, an iMovie about the concept, or even a PowerPoint presentation on the topic.====