Learning Meaning and Characteristics
Learning Meaning and Characteristics: “Learning is a generally permanent change in behaviour that happens as a consequence of a preceding experience,” writes E.R. Hilgard. “Learning has occurred if a person behaves, reacts, or responds in a manner different from the way he previously acted as a consequence of experience,” says W.Mc Gehee.
According to the American Psychological Association’s Dictionary of Psychology,
“Learning refers to the process of acquiring the ability to respond appropriately to a situation that may or may not have been encountered previously, the beneficial modification of response tendencies as a result of previous experience, particularly the construction of a new series of complex coordinated motor responses, and the memory fixation of items.” In order to recollect or arrange them throughout the process of gaining insight into a situation.” In other terms, learning may be described as a long-term change in behaviour that occurs as a result of education, training, practise, and experience.
Learning Meaning and Characteristics
- Learning is a never-ending process.
After birth, the infant learns by his or her experiences in the surroundings. As a result, leaning continues throughout life. Learning may take the shape of formal or informal instruction, and it can be direct or indirect. A learner develops information, skills, habits, attitudes, and aptitudes as he learns.
- Learning entails a shift in behaviour.
Behavioral changes may be monitored as a consequence of the learning process. This transformation might take many forms. It might be advantageous or disadvantageous. However, in a desired form, i.e., these modifications should be good. All three dimensions of human behaviour are covered by learning. As a result, it encompasses cognitive, emotional, and conative mental processes.
- Learning is a process that everyone goes through at some point in their lives.
Learning is something that everyone goes through at some point in their lives. It may occur anywhere. All living beings go through the process of learning. Learning is a lifelong process for people of all cultures.
- Learning has a purpose and a goal.
There is always a reason to learn. It is goal-oriented in the sense that when teaching, the instructor has learning goals in mind. If we don’t have a clear objective in mind, the learning process will be ineffective. We may achieve pre-determined learning goals via the learning process. The learner progresses toward a predetermined objective as he or she learns.
- Learning is a continuous process of growth and development.
It is possible to learn in any direction. These instructions might be beneficial or harmful. We aim to use learning to guide an individual’s growth in a positive way. We don’t want our children to adopt bad habits like stealing or pickpocketing. As a result, learning should result in gradual changes in the learner’s behaviour.
- Learning is the process of putting together a collection of experiences.
The accumulation of fresh experiences is the foundation of learning. As a consequence of new experiences, learners’ behaviours change. As a consequence of the learner’s previous experiences, new learning opportunities emerge
- Learning happens as a result of activity and environment.
The importance of interacting with the environment in the learning process cannot be overstated. Children learn more when they engage with their surroundings. The child’s ability to learn is hampered by a lack of exercise and engagement. The youngsters gain experience from these exchanges. Children’s behaviour alters as a result of these encounters.
- Learning Aids in the Achievement of Teaching-Learning Goals
Different goals, aims, and objectives exist in teaching and learning circumstances. The learning process aids in the achievement of instructional goals. Individual behaviour is expected to change as a result of learning. Knowledge, insight, interests, talents, and attitudes all contribute to this shift. As a result, the learning process is critical for accomplishing teaching-learning goals.
- Life’s most fundamental process is learning.
It is impossible for a person to develop without learning. It serves as the foundation for the development of society and civilisation.
- The relationship between stimulus and response is what learning is all about.
In general, learning is a link between input and reaction. If a person behaves in accordance with the job to be learnt, he is regarded a learned person. A person develops responses to stimuli connected with the environment and other parts of life via learning.
- It is possible to transmit knowledge.
The knowledge gained in one scenario may be used to a different one. The information gained in one context aids in the acquisition of knowledge in another. This is referred to as learning transfer. The learner must be cautious not to allow existing knowledge and experiences obstruct the acquisition of new information and experiences.
Learning’s Nature
- Behavioural Change
Learning necessitates a change in behaviour, which may be beneficial or detrimental to a business. Although learning normally connotes better behaviour, the change in behaviour does not have to be an improvement over the preceding behaviour. Individuals adopt harmful habits like smoking, discrimination, and stereotypes, for example.
- A Relatively Permanent Change in Behaviour is required.
All of he changes are unrelated to learning. Change must be somewhat lasting in order to be considered learning. Temporary modifications might simply be reflecting and not represent any learning. Learning does not encompass any transitory changes in behaviour induced by exhaustion, medicines, or temporary adaptations.
- Change must be based on prior knowledge, experience, or training.
Behavioral change must be founded on practise, experience, or instruction in some way. Learning does not include any change in behaviour as a result of physical maturation, sickness, or physical injury. This shift may not be noticeable until a scenario develops that allows for the new behaviour.
- Reinforcement
For learning to take place, the practise or experience must be reinforced. If no reward is given in conjunction with the practise or experience, the behaviour will gradually fade away.
- Behaviour is a reflection of learning.
Learning is defined as a change in an individual’s mental process or attitudes that is not followed by a change in behaviour. Further learning should result in the potentiality of behaviour rather than the behaviour itself. For example, if a person is considering taking drugs but has not yet done so, and then learns that a buddy of his died as a result of drug usage, he will never take drugs again. His behaviour has been altered as a result of this encounter.