MLS 7123
Learning Theories
“What is Learning?”
Name: Fatin Nuramanina Binti Kazarudin
ID: 1112700886
Email: [email protected]
What is Learning?
In dictionary definition, it is the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience,
study, or by being taught. It is also knowledge acquired through experience, study, or being
taught. In my own definition, learning is a natural process of gaining information and
knowledge through different methods and mediums in an extended period of time. It is
something that every living being do every time they want to achieve or know something.
Learning is best done they watch, listen and do the things simultaneously to capture all the
information and implement it in the things they want to do through experience; with/without
aid from someone who is more experienced and knowledgable. For example, if a child wants
to learn how to read the child must be taught by an experienced adult of how to identify the
letters and words for the child to be able to read.
Another kind of learning is through raw experience. By observing, analysing and
implementing a process, one is able to gain a set of skill and hone it to a finer skill after a
certain period of time. This process of learning requires a lot trial and errors to perfect set of
skill. For example, an artist wants to draw a beautiful art. The artist then spends a certain
period of time daily to hone their drawing skills for several years to achieve the kind of art
that they want after countless of trial and errors. But an artist does not hone their skills
blindly just like that, they study and analyse their surroundings or another experienced artist’s
art. There are some who would go take lessons to learn the fundamentals and the skills so
they would be better artist with better understanding of art.
There are different levels of learning; beginner, intermediate, novice and expert.
Every being start off as a beginner with zero knowledge on a piece of an information.
Depending on the situation, a person may learn by experience first-hand and start exploring
on the information at hand. After familiarizing with the information, it is then converted into
basic knowledge. However, for one to be acknowledged as an expert, they must fully grasp of
all the information and knowledge they acquired during their learning process.
Learning Process
When it comes to learning, there are several steps and process for one to absorb the
information and turn it into knowledge. At first, there is data and information at hand. From
there it is analysed into knowledge and understanding. However, it is now recognised that
learning is a continuous process that commences at birth and continues until death; it is the
process through which we use our experience to deal with new situations and to develop
relationships. Not only that, it also develop emotions which distinguishes humans from
machines with logical and critical thinking.
An example of a basic learning process is the PACT Learning Cycle. Research has
been made by the academics that learning is a repetitive cycle; an on going cycle of process.
The diagram below represents a generic learning cycle and uses the acronym PACT. The
cycle is relevant to all types of learning.
There are different types of learning, and one of it is the Observational Learning
(through observation and experience) and Cognitive Learning (through repetitive, practical
process) which have been explained earlier. Another type of learning is Classical
Conditioning; a type of learning in which a particular behaviour in an environment with a
prediction what will happen next. . The most famous example of classical conditioning is
research by the Russian scientist Pavlov, who taught his dogs that every time he rang a bell,
he would give them food. Eventually, the dogs started to drool with anticipation every time
they heard the bell ring. So, classical conditioning is when we react to an environmental cue
that tells us what's going to happen next.
Conclusion
Learning is objective. Different people learn with different methods and we all learn
something every day even without even really noticing. By learning, we know the basic
information and know how to overcome the problems at hand. As some say, learning is a
journey; it never ends after one stop.
References
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/learning
http://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/learning.html
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-learning-understanding-effective-classroomstrategies.html