Albert Bandura explains human behavior as the complex interaction between cognitive, behavioral and environmental influences. Although he has focused most of his current work on self-efficacy, his earlier studies on observational learning (remember the Bobo-dolls?) continue to draw attention from scholars and contribute significantly to our understanding of how media can influence behavior.

Bandura complains that he has often been misinterpreted by textbook authors who label him as a neo-behaviorist. He admits appropriating select fundamental principals of behaviorism, such as reinforcement, to explain how outcomes expectancy is linked to motivation--individuals are more likely to adopt a modeled behavior if it results in outcomes they value (vicarious reinforcement).

Bandura's theory also incorporates principles of traditional cognitive learning. Like Vygotsky, he views learning as embedded in social networks, but he emphasizes the importance of cognitive processing, especially mental organization (similar to Piget's equilibration) and rehearsal (cognitive modeling). He also argues that environmental influences are largely mediated through cognitive processes.

We can apply Bandura's social cognitive theory to the design of instructional products, for example--a web-based training course on Microsoft Office tools. Please answer the following questions in a concise post to our class discussion forum by next week. Please try not to repeat the ideas of your classmates; rather, read their responses and add your own. Feel free to comment on the accuracy of their applications of Bandura's theory.

(1) Assuming that students in this course are adult learners, what interface features would you include in the course to be consistent with social cognitive theory? Defend your proposal. (What would Bandura say?)

(2) What kind of instructional content would be most appropriate? What screen events and learning objects would be included? Consider multimedia options. Defend your proposal. (What would Bandura say?)

It may help to browse a few online Office tutorials to view sample designs. You are not evaluating these courses, just using them to help brainstorm ideas for your own web-based training. Use Google or your favorite web portal to search for "microsoft office tutorials." The tutorials vary significantly by cost and quality, but they should at least stimulate your design ideas.

Assume that you have an unlimited budget. (LOL)