Definitions of Learning

IDEAS ABOUT LEARNING

Objectives: Indicate whether the following are True or False:
Learning is the acquisition of knowledge by study. (19th century theory)
Learning is a permanent change in behaviour brought about by experience. (Behaviourist theory)

Learning is the sudden or slow acquisition of insight into the rules governing certain relationships in the environment. (Discovery learning)

Learning is the discovery of new facts and relating them to those already known. (Fundamental/active learning; store/retrieval system)

Behaviour involving purposeful use of motor muscular acrivity (a skill) cannot be learned without practice. The more practice the more successfully it is learned. (Pronunciation: motor muscular activity)

Using a language is a skill which has to be learned by practising it.
Successful practice is more effective than making mistakes. (Role of mistakes: risk-takers / mistake-makers make better language learners. Different kinds of mistakes e.g. failure of motor muscular system)

The amount of practice needed depends upon the complexity of the skills involved.
It is better to break down a complex skill into separate components and practise them separately. (atomistic)

The more difficult what is to be learned appears to be, the more unlikely it is to be learned. (motivation of the learner)

The more pointless what is to be learned appears to be, the more unlikely it is to be learned.

The more mysterious what is learned appears to be, the more unlikely it is to be learned.

In dealing with a situation which is new to them learners tend to equate it with what they are already familiar with.

The smaller differences are, the less likely they are to be perceived.

A skill has only been learned properly when it can be adapted successfully to unfamiliar situations