Chapter 1

LEARNING

Why study learning?

If we had not been able to learn, we would have died out as a species long [Link] is the
process that allows us to adapt to the changing conditions of the world around us. We can alter
our actions until we find the behavior that leads us to survival and rewards, and we can eliminate
actions that have been unsuccessful in the past. Without learning, there would be no buildings, no
agriculture, no lifesaving medicines, and no human civilization.

Definition of Learning

What does the term learning really mean?

The term learning is one of those concepts whose meaning is crystal clear until one has to put it
in actual words. “Learning is when you learn something.” “Learning is learning how to do
something.” A more useful definition is as follows: Learning is any relatively permanent change
in behavior brought about by experience or practice. Almost all human behavior is learned.
Imagine if you suddenly lost all you had ever learned. What could you do? You would be unable
to read, write, or speak. You couldn’t feed yourself, find your way home, and drive a car, play the
bassoon, or “party.” Needless to say, you would be totally incapacitated. (Dull, too!).

Learning is the process by which an individual acquires knowledge, attitudes and skills that are
necessary to meet the demands of life. While touching a burning candle, a child gets burnt and he
withdraws the fingers. When he faces a similar situation again he withdraws his fingers faster.
Gradually he learns to avoid not only the burning candle but also other burning things. The
behaviour of an individual is thus changed through experiences. This change in behaviour
brought about by experiences is commonly known as learning. For example, a child learns how
to clap hands by seeing someone else do it. Learning also takes place through direct experiences.
For example, a child learns to write by practicing writing. A child normally learns from his
parents, teachers and the environment.

What does “relatively permanent” mean? And how does experience change what we do?

The “relatively permanent” part of the definition refers to the fact that when people learn
anything, some part of their brain is physically changed to record what they’ve learned
(Goldstein, 2005; Loftus & Loftus, 1980). This is actually a process of memory, for without the
ability to remember what happens, people cannot learn anything. Although there is no conclusive
proof as yet, research suggests that once people learn something, it may be present somewhere in
memory in physical form (Barsalou, 1992; Smolen et al., 2008).

Not all change is accomplished through learning. Changes like an increase in height or the size of
the brain are another kind of change controlled by a genetic blueprint. This kind of change is
called maturation, and is due to biology, not experience. For example, children learn to walk
when they do because their nervous systems, muscle strength, and sense of balance have reached
the point where walking is possible for them—all factors controlled by maturation, not by how
much practice those children have had in trying to [Link] amount of experience or practice will
help that child walk before maturation makes it possible—in spite of what some eager parents
might wish.

[Link] Murphy: “The term learning covers every modification in behaviour to meet
environmental requirements.”

2. Henry P. Smith: “Learning is the acquisition of new behaviour or the strengthening or

weakening of old behaviour as the result of experience.”

3. Crow & crow: “Learning is the acquisition of habits, knowledge & attitudes. It involves
new ways of doing things and it operates in individuals attempts to overcome obstacles or to
adjust to new situations. It represents progressive changes in behaviour. It enables him to satisfy
interests to attain goals.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LEARNING

1. Learning involves change.

It is a reconstruction, combined thinking, skill, information and appropriation in a single unity

process. For example, when a child learns to read they can retain this knowledge and behavior
for the rest of their lives. It is not always reflected in performance. The change from the learning
may not be clear until a situation arises in which the new behavior can occur.

2. All learning involves activities

These activities involve either physical or mental activity. They may be simple mental activities
of complex, involving various muscles, bones, etc. So also the mental activities may be very
simple involving one or two activities of mind or complex which involve higher mental
activities.
[Link] Requires Interaction

At the time of learning, the individual is constantly interacting with and influenced by the
environment. This experience makes him change or modify his behavior to deal effectively with
it.

[Link] Learning

To constitute learning, the change should be permanent. Temporary changes may be only
reflective and fail to represent any learning.

[Link] is a Lifelong Process

Learning is a lifelong process of gaining and using the information presented to a person. It is not
static.A person never stops acquiring new information. It keeps a person’s mind active and aware
but also conscious of the world around them.
[Link] Occurs Randomly Throughout Life

Some learning occurs randomly throughout life, from new experiences, gaining information and
from our, perceptions, for example: reading a newspaper or watching a news broadcast, talking
with a friend or colleague, chance meetings, and unexpected experiences.

[Link] Involves Problems Solving

Learning involves problem-solving i.e. understanding and discovering relations between different
contents in a situation.

[Link] is the Process of Acquiring Information

Learning is the process of acquiring information, knowledge, wisdom, and skills. It occurs as a
result of interaction with the person’s environment.

[Link] Involves far more than Thinking

Learning involves far more than thinking: it involves the whole personality – senses, feelings,
intuition, beliefs, values, and will. If we do not have the will to learn, we cannot learn and if we
have learned, we are changed in some way. If the learning makes no difference it can have very
little significance.

[Link] is Necessary for Learning

Some sort of experience is necessary for learning. We can get the experience from direct
observation or from formal approaches to learning such as training, mentoring, coaching and
teaching. We can get the experience from direct observation or from formal approaches to
learning such as training, mentoring, coaching and teaching.
Learning is more or less the acquisition of a new discourse, a new way of speaking, acting,
interacting, looking at the world, and knowing it.

It will be successful only when the information gained is used and understood.

It is a continuous process followed by an individual that allows for the acquisition of

information, attitudes, and practices, through observation, seeking previous knowledge,
searching out guides, and looking within as well as without. It is a key process in human
behavior.

If we compare the simple ways in which a child feels and behaves, with the complex modes of
adult behavior, his skills, habits, though, sentiments and the like we will know what difference
learning has made to the individual.

[Link] is purposive and goal-oriented

Learning is always has a purpose. It is goal-oriented in the sense that the teacher always has
learning objectives in mind while teaching. If we don’t have any aim and goal, then the process
of learning will not show any effect. Through the process of learning, we can move towards
predetermined learning objectives. As the learner learn, he/she move towards a pre-determined
goal.

12. Learning is the relationship between stimulus and response

Learning is generally, a relationship between stimulus and response. A person is considered as a

learned-person if he reacts according to the task to be learned. Through learning, a person learns
reactions according to the stimuli associated with the environment and other aspects of life.

13. Learning is transferable:

The learning acquired in one situation is capable of transfer to some other situation. The
knowledge acquired in one situation proves helpful in acquiring knowledge in other situation.
This is known as the transfer of learning. The learner should be careful not to let previously
gained knowledge interfere in acquiring new knowledge and experiences.

[Link] helps in achieving teacher-student objectives

Teaching and learning situations have different goals, aims, and objectives. Process of learning
helps in achieving the objectives of teaching. With learning, we expect a change in the behavior
of the individuals. This change happens with the development of knowledge, insight, interests,
skills, and attitudes. So, for achieving teaching-learning objectives, the learning process plays an
important role.
[Link] is a universal process

Learning is a universal process. It can happen everywhere. Learning is a process for all living
creatures. Human being across all cultures learn as it is a life long process.