Learning
Meaning and Definition of Learning (Simplified)
Learning means a change in behavior due to experience.
Stephen P Robbins / E.R. Hilgard: Learning is a lasting change in behavior due to
experience.
Steers and Porter: Learning is a change in behavior through practice or
experience.
Simple definition: Learning is any behavior change caused by past experiences.
Nature of Learning
Change in Behavior:
Learning leads to a change, good or bad (e.g., picking up smoking).
Relatively Permanent:
The change must last; short-term changes (like due to drugs) don't count.
Based on Experience/Practice:
True learning comes from doing, practicing, or training.
Needs Reinforcement:
Repeated practice or feedback strengthens learning.
Reflected in Behavior:
Learning must show in actions, not just thoughts.
Principles of Learning
Feedback: Helps both teacher and learner understand progress.
Active Learning: Involvement in the process improves learning.
Reinforcement: Rewards make learning stick.
Meaningful Material: Learning is easier when new info connects to what we
already know.
Multiple Senses: Using both sight and hearing boosts learning (e.g., videos,
visuals).
Overlearning: Repeating what we learn helps us remember better.
Types of learning
Classical Conditioning
Learning by association
Example: Dog salivates when it hears a bell associated with food.
Observational Learning (Modeling)
Learning by watching others
Example: Learning to cook by watching cooking videos
Experiential Learning
Learning through direct experience
Example: Learning teamwork through group projects
Constructivist Learning
Learning as an active, constructive process
Learners build new knowledge upon the foundation of previous learning
Example: Discovering mathematical concepts through exploration
Rote Learning
Memorization without understanding
Often used for factual information
Example: Memorizing multiplication tables
Experiential Learning
Learning by doing and reflecting on the experience
Proposed by David Kolb
Example: Internships or simulations
