ADVERTISEMENTS:
In this term paper we will discuss about:- 1. Introduction to Learning 2. Definition of Learning 3. Characteristics 4. Nature 5. Factors Affecting.
Term Paper Contents:
- Term Paper on the Introduction to Learning
- Term Paper on the Definition of Learning
- Term Paper on the Characteristics of Learning
- Term Paper on the Nature of Learning
- Term Paper on the Factors Affecting Learning
Term Paper # 1. Introduction to Learning:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Psychology is developed out from philosophy. The basic questions of psychology were not answered by modern psychologists, but these have been of deep concern with philosophers for many centuries. The questions regarding learning initially have been answered by philosophers. Similarly, the questions related to teaching were also answered by the philosophers. The learning process which emerged prior to the twentieth century but continued to have great influence in to-day schools.
1. Theory of mental discipline.
2. Theory of natural unfoldment.
3. Theory of apperception.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Each theory may be identified with a particular philosophical system (isms) and a corresponding school of psychology. The method used to develop these learning theories was introspective and subjective philosophers psychologists who have evolved these theories of learning tried to analyze own thought processes and describe in general terms. These philosophical learning theories are being used in classroom teaching. Psychological learning theories have been developed in the beginning of twentieth century.
The learning theories for teachers may be classified into two major categories:
A. Philosophical Learning Theories, and
B. Psychological Learning Theories.
The related concepts learning, theory and theory of learning are essential to understand for analyzing the nature of learning theory.
The terms ‘learning’ and ‘knowledge’ are used for the same meaning but have different meaning:
To learn as a verbal has the following meanings:
1. To gain knowledge, comprehension of mastery through experience or study.
2. To fix in the mind or memory or memorize.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
3. To acquire through experience.
4. To become informed of, to find out.
To know as a verb has the following meanings:
1. To perceive directly with the sense or mind.
2. To be acquainted or familiar with.
3. To be certain of, accept as true beyond doubt.
4. To experience to be subjected to.
5. To have secured in the mind or memory.
Learning and Performance The concept of learning and performance are parallel concepts of disposition and actualization, of knowing how to do something and actually doing it. Performance may fail on a retention test for many reasons other than lack of earlier learning.
Maturation and Learning Maturation is due to growth whereas learning through experiences both contribute in the change of behaviour. The flying of birds can be attributing to maturation not to learning.
Term Paper # 2. Definition of Learning
:
There are several definitions of term learning but Gate’s definition is most popular and operational.
“Learning is the modification of behaviour through experiences and activities but not through maturation, emotions, motivation, fatigue, drugs etc.,” Change in the behaviour due to these factors is temporary state of the subject. In some case of repeated experience with a situation do not produce much change in response. According the behaviourists the responses are overt form.
“Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge and new responses.” -Woodworth
“Learning is a process of progressive behaviour adaptation.” -B.F. Skinner
“Learning is an acquisition of habits, knowledge and attitudes.” -Crow and Crow
“Learning is a change resulting from behaviour.” -J.P. Guilford
“Learning is shown by change in behaviour as a result of experiences of an individual.” -Lee J. Cronbach
“Learning is habit formation resulting from conditioning.” -Pavlov
“Learning is the process by which an activity originates or is changed through reacting to an encountered situation provided that characteristics of the change in activity cannot be explained on the basis of native response, tendencies, maturation, motivation, emotions or temporary state of organism.” -E.A. Hillgard
Term Paper # 3. Characteristics of Learning
:
In the above definitions, psychologists have made use of the characteristics of learning.
On the basis of review of these definitions, the following characteristics of learning are enumerated:
1. The learning is process as well as product.
2. Learning is the change or modification of behaviour through activities, expedience and conditions of learning.
3. It is the nature or tendency of human beings.
4. It is the process of mental development-cognitive, psychomotor and affective domain i.e., structure learning.
5. It is both positive as well as learning. The teacher concerned with positive learning.
6. It is psychological, social process and problem solving.
7. It is the continuous or life-long process.
8. It is the acquisition of habits, knowledge and attitudes.
9. It is a process of adjustment and conditioning.
10. It is both formal and informal process; controlled and open process.
11. Learning is the permanent change in the behaviour and a process of growth.
Term Paper # 4. Nature of Learning
:
In its biological nature it is the capacity to be found in plasticity of the nervous system which is due to the changes occurring in the formation of bonds and connections. Thus, learning is life and life is learning. Every experience is learning. Woodruff says that the process of learning is the vehicle by which the individual is changed from a bundle of potentialities to an active organism with ideas, habits, skills and other personality characteristics.
In the whole process of learning, the need arises, goal is set up, adjustment begins, and changes in behaviour take place and stabilize. Further, learning involves problem-solving i.e., understanding and discovering relations between different contents in a situation. Here, one may argue that why should one learn? To answer it, is sufficient to note that learning is an activity aroused by the personal and social-demands.
And hence, it is the demand of the individual himself; it is the demand of the society who makes him feel to learn. But, the individual may learn things both desirable and undesirable. The task of education, here, should be to enable the individual to learn the desirable and eliminate the undesirable. It is thus said that learning is a process of improvement.
Learning at all stages is a continuous process involving progress organization of human behaviour, to meet the new in the few defining characteristics of learning may be mentioned.
Firstly, All Living is Learning i.e., the individual is in active relation with his environment.
Secondly, It Results in Change in Behaviour. We note a change in, the planarian’s response to the light. It is a change of behaviour influenced by previous behaviour. It is any activity that leaves a more or less permanent effect on later activity.
Thirdly, Learning is an Adjustment. Most learning in children consists in modifying, adapting and developing their original nature. In later life the individuals acquire new forms of behaviour.
Fourthly, It comes about as a Result of Practice. This characteristic eliminates sources of change such as illness and maturation. Potent effects of motivation on behaviour are worth considerable here.
Fifthly, Learning is Universal. Every creature that lives learns. Man learns most. Human children have the longest period of immaturity and helplessness and hence the longer period for opportunity for learning. The human nervous system is very complex, so are human reactions and so are human acquisitions.
Sixthly, Learning is a Relatively Permanent Change. After a rat wakes up from his nap he still remembers the path to the food. Even if you have not been on a bicycle for years, in just a few minutes practice you can be quite proficient again.
Seventhly, Learning is Growth. It is never ending growth. At each stage the learner acquires new visions of his future growth and new ideals of achievement in the direction of his effort. Each achievement forms the basis of a fresh endeavour and thus, the constant urge of his soul to newer and higher ideals of work and achievement is progressively fulfilled.
Lastly, Learning is not Directly Observable. The only way to study learning is through some observable behaviour. Actually, we cannot observe learning; we see only what precedes performance, the performance itself, and the consequences of performance.
Learning is not confined to human-beings only but animals also learn in a similar fashion. The juggler makes the monkey to learn so many tricks. Dogs are trained to catch thieves, elephants are taught to perform circus tricks, pigeons learn to play Ping-Pong, and dolphin fish are noted playing net-ball or passing through a ring. Hayes trained chimpanzees to perform acts as dusting, washing dishes, sharpening pencil, to painting furniture etc. The only difference in animal learning and human learning is in the extent of learning because all learning depends upon the structure.
Term Paper # 5. Factors Affecting Learning
:
The following main factors influencing the learning process:
1. Conductive situation or environment for learning.
2. Physical and mental health of the learner.
3. Appropriate learning methods and techniques of teaching.
4. Use of motivation and reinforcement.
5. Potentialities, attitude of a teacher.
6. Level of maturation of learner or growth of the learner.
7. Interests, attitudes and need of the learners.
8. Learning will to learn.
9. Avoid the fatigue of the learner, and
10. Practice for the learnt behaviour.