Principles of Learning

Humans by nature never stop learning; we undertake learning at different stages of our lives and acquire skills and competences in variety of areas. These learning may have been certified (by an academic or educational body) whilst others are not certified learning through work, social and leisure time activities. Recognising

Learning, as defined by Slavin (2012), is “a change in an individual caused by experience” (p. 116). Learning can occur intentionally or unintentionally. All learning, however, is stimulated by something that is the learner (student) has encountered. As an instructor, your goal every day is to use the right stimuli to capture the student’s attention so they can absorb the knowledge you are trying to share.

If we look at the Kolb (1984) explained how learning has four stages as well as Honey and Mumford learning styles we can see how this can be incorporated into our delivery models. The use of tests for example during the assessment process or conclusion activities in the classroom or assessment can be directly reflected into the Kolb model. Knowing how our students learn will ensure I am delivering my lesson at the right level to our audience using the correct teaching strategies.

We all learn in diverse ways, inclined by the combination of our past educational experiences, study practices and personal approach to particular tasks. This can be designated as our learning style, defined as ‘particular ways of gathering, processing and storing information and experiences’ (Cuthbert, P.F., 2005).

It may be a given that an individual has more knowledge the older one gets due to more time and opportunities to learn, yet there is a neglect to study the concept of learning process due to the lack of interest.

ii. Another important factor I must consider when identifying the needs of my learners is their learning process. A commonly used theory of learning process is that of Kolb (1984) who describes four different stages of the learning process as; Concrete experience, observation and reflection, abstract conceptualisation, and active experimentation. This theory particularly gained insight into the fact that greater understanding is achieved by learners when different and appropriate means are deployed to teach the same concept.

This final part of the K-W-L activity gives students a chance to ask questions about concepts or words that they didn’t grasp through the activities. If students have unanswered questions or new questions, the class will have a discussion. This allows students to self-monitor their work to ensure its completion (Ogle, 1989). Students should ensure all their questions from “what I Want to know” have been satisfactorily answered, and that they have filled out as many new or interesting facts as they can in the “what I Learnt” column. Recaps and summaries of lessons are useful as students reiterates what they have just learnt, reinforcing the acquired knowledge. It also allows the teacher to check that all students understand the text. EAL/D and low literacy students are also encouraged to copy the formulated answers from their margin questions directly into the Learned column. Answers from the margin questions activity may overlap with questions students created for the Know column. By completing this activity, students will have an easily accessible worksheet containing all of the information learnt from this class. Both activities (Appendix C and D) give the students an opportunity to express their prior and learnt knowledge in various modes of communication. The range of literacy activities provided to the

Humans are adapted uniquely to learn, and this process id has done throughout their entire lifespan, for the cases of learning, it does not stop even after higher education, implying that learning is a gradual process throughout the entire lifespan. Those people who keep learning are always very successful in transforming their lives, that of their families, and then that of the entire community. Also, the process of learning does not take place in isolation. Furthermore, there are some factors that may either be instrumental in boosting the learning process or hindering the process of learning. The motivation of a person can either help or sometimes hinder his ability in the process of learning. One's external factors, for instance, the demands and obligations can be either hinder or help his learning process. There are some factors can influence learning behavior of a person, and these may include the resources of possessed by the people, availability of the information concerning learning opportunities, the presence of favorable learning environment, and among

David Kolb developed a learning theory that involves concrete concepts which learners process experience. Kolb’s theory is based on intentions that learning takes place through four linear cycles based on experience and the personal changes that occur throughout that experience. As Kolb (1984) states, “learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience” (p. 38). Similar to other scholarly theories of learning, Kolb has many critics. I will discuss Kolb’s theory and summarize some of the critics to this theory. Also I will use Kolb’s theory and the critic’s comments to improve my approach to teaching.

The world of adult learning was changed by Knowles’ (1973) when he identified four assumptions about andragogy, meaning “the art and science of helping adults learn” (Knowles, 1970, p. 42). These assumptions are: self-concept; experience; readiness; and orientation. Knowles later added two more assumptions; the critical need to know, and motivation (Knowles, Holton & Swanson, 2015; Knowles, 1980). Knowles’ second assumption, experience, plays a significant role for individuals to create, retain and transfer knowledge based upon prior knowledge and skill, (Argote, McEvily & Reagans, 2003, p. 575). I will search for evidence on how the elements of Knowles’ theory align with the knowledge retention and engagement.

Learning is a multifaceted perception unique to each individual. In looking to address the intricacies of learning, there have been a multitude of learning theories established over the centuries. To this day new theories are developed and traditional theories continue to be developed and expanded upon. (Swinburne Online, 2016)

This paper will identify which of the Kolb learning styles best suits me and why I think so. It will also give some examples from my past and present to support these findings. After determining, the learning styles that best fit me and completing an inventory exercise, I have concluded that I learn best using audio and visual techniques in the learning process. I agree with everything this exercise has brought to light. I never knew that these styles were the meaning by which I learned. I have also included examples as to how I see the use and benefits of these learning styles in my career.

Most people believe that, learning is done only through formal education and that this process stops once they graduate but this is not true. According to Delors’ (1996) four ‘pillars’ of education for the future, lifelong learning can be defined as one which is done throughout a person’s lifetime. It is adjustable, diverse and attainable all through the various stages of human life. This points out that, learning is not done through formal means only and cannot be avoided as one progresses through life’s various stages (from infancy till death).

Education has long been the center of reform with new ideas about learning and teaching. Educators are regularly introduced to new teaching strategies, curricula and rigorous standards in an effort to provide effective instruction to students. However, the pursuit of proficiency in mathematics and reading through the use of research-based methods requires an understanding of the learning models and theories that both drive instruction and learning in the classroom. In this paper I will address the evolution of ideas about learning and teaching in education as well as address the shifts in learning in the 21st century.

As Daniel J. Boorstin said, “Education is learning what you didn 't even know you didn 't know.”