Learning is an important part of life. It leads the way for the development and growth of individuals. It is also a vital cog that influences the success of an activity. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the different faces of learning.
Learning is the ingestion of freshly baked understanding, knowledge, skills, values, and preferences. It also includes manipulating various forms of information. It is part of the daily routine executed by animals, machines, and human beings. It is a fact that learning takes place via varying avenues of education and personal development. It can be triggered by either motivation or goal orientation.
Learning has many forms, and first up is simple non-associative learning. Habituation is a good example wherein a person experiences a decrease in the behavioral and psychological response after repetitive exposure to a stimulus over some time. Sensitization is another nonassociative learning form that showcases a gradual increase in the response after consistent exposure to a stimulus.
Next is associative learning, which involves interaction with a distinct and separate element to obtain understanding and skill. First on this list is operant conditioning which utilizes consequences to shape the form and occurrence of a behavior. Also, part of this form is classical conditioning, wherein a neutral stimulus is paired up with another stimulus having some sort of significance.
Learning can also be observational, social, vicarious, or modeling. This entails observation, retention, and replication of novel behaviors as seen from other people. Observational learning is a vital component of childhood development, especially in situations wherein authority plays a significant role. The best role models are those a year or two older.
Learning can also take place during enculturation. This is defined as the process by which individuals absorb the needed and appropriate values and behaviors as required by the culture where they belong. Important people like peers and parents help shape up these values and preferences. Once the process turns out positive, competency of the language and rituals under the culture is achieved.
There is a technique known as rote learning. It emphasizes memorizing the material for the individual to recall the material in the way it was heard or read. Learning by repetition is the dominant principle since a person can easily remember the meaning of the material once repeated several times. Rote learning has been well documented to be present in diverse fields of mathematics, religion, and music.
Advanced technology can contribute to learning. This can be seen in environments wherein people acquire knowledge and information via multimedia tools. Electronic learning is also a common method used to enhance learning via the internet and network-based computers. Augmented learning occurs when a learner participates within the realms of e-learning.
Play is an activity that does not necessarily present a purpose but is nevertheless done specifically by children to improve functioning and enhance learning capacities. It has been considered through the years as the universal language that the young ones communicate with. It has also been distinguished to be part not only of the human learning world but also that of our animal friends.
