Definitions of Learning:

We know that the human brain is immensely complex and still somewhat of a mystery. It
follows then, that we understand learning—a primary function of the brain—in many different
ways. If you are searching for a definition of learning, these ten explanations show the multitude
of ways that learning can be understood and described.

The Definitions

1. “A change in human disposition or capability that persists over a period of time and is not
simply ascribable to processes of growth.”
— From The Conditions of Learning by Robert Gagne
2. “Learning is the relatively permanent change in a person’s knowledge or behavior due to
experience. This definition has three components: 1) the duration of the change is long-
term rather than short-term; 2) the locus of the change is the content and structure of
knowledge in memory or the behavior of the learner; 3) the cause of the change is the
learner’s experience in the environment rather than fatigue, motivation, drugs, physical
condition or physiologic intervention.”
–From Learning in Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Richard E. Mayer
3. “We define learning as the transformative process of taking in information that—when
internalized and mixed with what we have experienced—changes what we know and
builds on what we do. It’s based on input, process, and reflection. It is what changes us.”
–From The New Social Learning by Tony Bingham and Marcia Conner
4. “It has been suggested that the term learning defies precise definition because it is put to
multiple uses. Learning is used to refer to (1) the acquisition and mastery of what is
already known about something, (2) the extension and clarification of meaning of one’s
experience, or (3) an organized, intentional process of testing ideas relevant to problems.
In other words, it is used to describe a product, a process, or a function.”
–From Learning How to Learn: Applied Theory for Adults by R.M. Smith
5. “Acquiring knowledge and skills and having them readily available from memory so you
can make sense of future problems and opportunities.” (Listen to an interview with one of
the authors.)
From Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L.
Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel
6. “A process that leads to change, which occurs as a result of experience and increases the
potential of improved performance and future learning.”
From How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching by
Susan Ambrose, et al.
7. “The process of gaining knowledge and expertise.”
From The Adult Learner by Malcolm Knowles
8. “Learning involves strengthening correct responses and weakening incorrect
responses. Learning involves adding new information to your memory. Learning involves
making sense of the presented material by attending to relevant information, mentally
 reorganizing it, and connecting it with what you already know.”
From eLearning and the Science of Instruction by Ruth C. Clark and Richard E. Mayer
9. “A persisting change in human performance or performance potential…[which] must
come about as a result of the learner’s experience and interaction with the world.”
From Psychology of Learning for Instruction by M. Driscoll
10. “Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core
elements – not entirely under the control of the individual. Learning (defined as
actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a
database), is focused on connecting specialized information sets, and the connections that
enable us to learn more are more important than our current state of knowing.”
From Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age by George Seimens
Definition of Learning

Learning means behavioral modification, especially through experience or conditioning.

1. Steers and Porter defined learning as “relatively permanent change in behavior

potentiality that results from reinforced practice or experience.”

2. Hulse, Deese, and Egeth defined learning as “relatively permanent change in behavior or
potential behavior that results from direct or indirect experience.”

3. According to S.P. Robbins, “Learning is any relatively permanent change in behavior

resulting from experience.”

4. According to Scott Miller, “Learning is a change that occurs in response to thinking or

other sensual stimuli.”

5. According to S. P. Robbins, “Learning is any relatively permanent change in behavior

resulting from experience.”

6. According to Biswanath Ghosh, “Learning is the modification of behavior through

experience and training.”

7. According to Michele Griffin, “Learning is a stance taken by an individual that allows for
the acquisition of information, attitudes, and practices, through observation, seeking
previous knowledge, searching out guides, and looking within as well as without.”

8. Michael L. Ray defines learning as the more or less permanent acquisition of tendencies
to behave in particular ways in response to particular situations or stimuli.

Learning may be defined as a relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs due to prior
experience.

When we observe any change in a person’s behavior, we can say that learning has taken
place. Learning means the act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill.

It can change our behavior. By birth, every people learned from his environment.

On the other hand, knowledge or skill gained through schooling or study is also called
learning.
Finally, we can say that learning has taken place if individuals behave, react, and respond
taken from others as a result of experiences change in behavior.

Characteristics of Learning

Learning is the process by which one acquires, ingests, and stores or accepts information. Our
experiences with learned information compose our bodies of knowledge. Learning is a
process unique to each individual.

There are some characteristics of learning.

1. Learning involves change.

2. All learning involves activities.

3. Learning Requires Interaction.

4. Constitute Learning.

5. Learning is a Lifelong Process.

6. Learning Occurs Randomly Throughout Life.

7. Learning Involves Problems Solving.

8. Learning is the Process of Acquiring Information.

9. Learning Involves far more than Thinking.

10. Experience is Necessary for Learning.

Learn more about the Characteristics of Learning.

Principles of Learning

Learning principles are guidelines for how people learn most effectively. The more these
principles are reflected in training, and the more effective training is likely to be.

Research suggests that they apply equally to domestic and international situations. These are
the basic principles or conditions that facilitate learning.

5 principles of learning are;

1. Participation.
 2. Repetition.

3. Relevance.

4. Transference.

5. Feedback.

Guidelines for Learning

The guidelines for learning are known as principles of learning. The principles of learning are
theoretical statements summarizing decades of learning research.

By summarizing these, we can know about the following guidelines of learning;

1. Readiness.

2. Recency.

3. Repetitiveness.

4. Reinforcement.

5. Relevance.

6. Feedback.

7. Schedules of Learning.

8. Whole vs. Part Learning.

9. Primacy.

10. Boundary Less.

11. Presentation Effect.

12. Multiples Routes.

You must understand how learning principles impact learning.

Theories of Learning

Learning is the individual growth of the person as a result of cooperative interaction with
others. It is the advancement of understanding that enables the learner to function better in
their environment, improve and adapt behaviors, create and maintain healthy relationships,
and achieve personal success.

Learning has taken place if an individual behaves, reacts, and responds taken from others due
to experiences change in behavior or formerly behave.

There are several theories of learning;

 Classical Conditioning

 Operant Conditioning

 Cognitive Theory.

 Social Learning Theory.

Know more about theories of learning.

Components of Learning

Learning has taken place if an individual behaves, reacts, and responds in a way taken from
others as a result of experiences.

Learning can be defined as the relatively permanent change in behavior potentiality that
results from reinforced practice or experience. It can change our behavior.

By birth, every people learned from his environment.

On the other hand, knowledge or skill gained through schooling or study is also called
learning. Learning has many components.

These components are given below:

1. Learning involves change. Change may sound good or bad from an organizational point
of view. People can learn unfavorable behaviors to hold prejudices or to restrict their
output.

2. The change must be ingrained. Temporary changes may be only reflexive and may not
represent learning. Therefore the requirement that learning must be relatively permanent.

3. Some form of experience is necessary for learning. Experience may be acquired directly
through observation or practice, or it may be acquired indirectly through reading.
 4. Learning involves concentration and participation. It usually is quicker and long-
lasting when the learner participates actively. As a result of participation, people learn
more quickly and retain that learning longer.

These are just a few of all the components of learning.

Barriers to Learning

Barriers to learning are problems or situations that prevent learners from accessing programs,
make it difficult for learners to go to class, or make it hard for learners to concentrate and
learn.

1. Presentation problem.

2. Another barrier to learning is changing the expectation of a new culture.

3. Learners do not get appropriate support.

4. Employment-related issues.

5. Sometimes employees cannot concentrate properly.

6. The financial problem can be a barrier to learning.

7. Political influence can be a barrier.

Understand how these barriers to learning influence the learning process.

Overcoming Learning Barriers

Knowledge or skill gained through schooling or study is also called learning. In learning,
every learner has to face some barriers which have to overcome by the learner himself.

Otherwise, they stumble while processing information, taking longer to grasp the concept of
requiring numerous exposures over a sustained period.

To overcome the barriers, learners have to make changes in the ways of learning.

1. Environment.

2. Routine.

3. Verbal Instructions.

4. Respect.
 5. Non-curricular Activities.

6. Improving Communication Skills.

7. Giving ICT and Presentation Facilities.

8. Give Concentration.

9. Learn the New Culture before Going There.

10. Provide Effective and Timely Feedback.

See how these help in overcoming learning barriers.

Learning is the Continuous Process

Learning is a continuous process of life, the pinnacle of the attitude and vision of the universe.
Learning is the only thing that distinguishes humans from animals. Being a human, we have a
great privilege to think. Thinking is a great thing we all can do.

Conclusion

Learning gives creativity; creativity leads to thinking; thinking provides knowledge;

knowledge makes you great. The learning process is not rigid, and it is continuously
happening. It shapes our behavior and perspective of the world.

Therefore, please let us not limit learning just to a subject. If we can see it with a wide range
of thinking, then the whole world looks very small.

Having touched upon learning, take next steps with our comprehensive resources
on organizational behavior and consumer behavior in marketing.