LEARNING
Hoodo Kayse
Objectives
By the end of this chapter the student is expected
to:
Explain what is meant by learning;
Describe some of the questions that have been
explored by learning theorists;
Describe different forms of learning;
Evaluate some of the clinical and educational
applications of learning theories to humans;
Outline the most important ways in which the
humanistic approach differs from other learning
approaches
Introduction
One of the most important, universal and
distinctive characteristics of human beings is
their capacity to learn. Our habits, skills,
knowledge, attitudes, interests and
characteristics are largely the result of
learning. The capacity to learn progresses
throughout the life span until death. It is
through the process of learning that human
behavior changes or undergoes modification.
Cont…
The knowledge, understanding and skills
obtained from the process of learning help
mankind's to control and change their
environment for their own benefit.
Definition
Learning is a relatively permanent change in
behavior as a result of practice and
experience.
The above definition contains the following
components
One has to distinguish between performance due to
maturation and changes brought about by
experience;
One has to distinguish between short-term changes
in behavior due to fatigue,; tension, stimulants and
changes that are due to actual learning.
The changes in behavior could be for worse or
better
Learning is not directly observed but manifested in
the changed activities of the individual.
Example- A health student has learned a new
procedure in his/her area of specialization.
Thus the trainee has become rich in his/her
experience and thereby, modified his/her
behavior. Because the trainee improved
his/her efficiency, the trainee has easy
adjustments to situations, which required
knowledge and procedure. The trainee was
able to learn that procedure by observations,
through tool and practice and by imitations.
Issues related to learning
Some Psychologists claim that learning can
only be incidental indirectly by observing
changes in performance.
Others argue that learning and performance
are the same.
According to them, the importance is should
be on observable performance than the
mental component of learning.
Modes of learning
In learning a new thing, we follow different ways. There
are three main ways of learning.
1. Learning by trial and error
It is a random attempt to learn a new problem.
Some of these attempts may result in success but
others may not.
The right response to a situation is arrived at by
chance, by constant trial and by making repeated
errors.
It is very common mode of learning in animals.
Trial and error learning is slow, wasteful and
unintelligent.
2. Learning by conditioning
It is the simplest form of learning.
It is a process in which a response or action
due to some original stimulus becomes
transferred to another stimulus which occurs
at the same time or shortly after the original
stimulus
3. Learning by observation and insight
It involves mental exploration and
understanding of what is being learned.
It requires the ability to find out
relationships.
The learner uses his past experiences and his
ability to generate new ideas.
Factors for effective learning
1. Motivation
The stronger and clearer the motives in
learning a course in health sciences, the
greater are the effort and interest shown by
the learner in learning the course.
When the motives of learning are high, the
learner becomes enthusiastic.
2. Intelligence
It enables us to understand things
It enables us to see the relationships between
things
It enables us to reason and judge correctly
and critically.
3. Maturation
Neuro-muscular coordination is important for
learning a given task. Example- The child has
to be physically mature before he is able to
walk or run.
4. Physical condition of the learner
The learner should be in a good health status.
Example- Sensory defects, malnutrition, toxic
conditions of the body, loss of sleep and
fatigue hinder effective learning.
5. Good working conditions
Example- Fresh air, light, comfortable
surrounding, moderate temperature, absence
of distractions like noise, aid in learning
efficiently
6. Mental health of the learner
Example- Worries, fears, feelings of loneliness
and inferiority hinders learning. Self-respect,
self-reliance, and self-confidence are
necessary for effective learning..
7. Associating things
Example- All related facts and understandings
from a previously learned course should be
brought to new learning. While learning a
nursing procedure a student nurse could see
its connection with anatomy, chemistry, and
psychology.
8. Length of the working period
Learning periods should neither be too short
nor too long.
Long learning time sets fatigue and reduce
effectiveness in learning.
Implications of the above definition of
learning
New developments in neuroscience and
educational research stress the importance of
helping people take control of their own
learning. Active learning strategies increase
the involvement of the learner in the learning
process.
Major characteristics of active learning
Students are engaged in activities
Students are involved not just listening in the
learning process.
Less importance on information and greater
importance on skill development
Increased motivation
Receiving immediate feedback
