Pedagogy - Learning theories

Behavioural learning Theory/Cognitive learning Theory 

Constructivist Learning Theory/Experimental Learning Theory

1. Introduction

Human develops through learning.  How do we learn? The nature of learning, theories by the experts regarding learning, the different methods of learning and the laws of learning are studied. 

An infant when born is a quite helpless creature but soon he/she starts learning to adapt themselves to the environment around him/her. Learning is a process that starts at birth and continues till the end of one’s life.  There are usually two factors involved in this learning process. The first one is maturation; this is nothing but the growth and development of a child as he/she advances in years of life.  The second is experience is what is meant by the term ‘learning’ is our day to day usage of it.

Every animal is born to this world with some innate dispositions which help or it to adapt to our surroundings.  As we know human is  a social animal who learns the most and with that captures things in and around them .  Human cannot do with the innate dispositions alone. That can be done through experience.  Thus learning is a process of acquiring the appropriate responses.

1.1. Definitions of learning

According to woodworth “Any activity can be called learning, so far as it develops the individual and experiences different from what that would otherwise have been”.

According to Gardener Murphy, “The term learning covers every modification in behaviour to meet environmental requirement”. This means learning is nothing but adjustment.

According to crow and crow, “learning is the acquisition of habits, knowledge and attitudes, it involves new ways of doing things and it operates in an individual’s attempts to overcome obstacles or to adjust to new situations.  It represents progressive changes”.

1.2. Characteristics of learning

Human beings pass through experiences like listening to parents and teachers, reading books, working with others, working on a machine and their learning activates include some perception, observation, knowledge, manipulation of ideas, some feeling and some motor activity.  Some important characteristics of leaning process are

1.2.1. Learning is multi dimensional

1.2.2.  Learning is universal

1.2.3.  Learning is growth

1.2.4. Learning is based on experience

1.2.5. Learning is purposeful

1.2.6. Learning involves motives and drives

1.2.7. Learning expands possibilities of adaptive behaviour

1.2.8. Learning is a comprehensive process involving the use of abstract symbols

1.2.9. Learning provides definite direction to changes in behaviour

1.2.10. Learning expresses itself through habits and practices

1.2.11. Learning is closely associated with maturation

2. Theories of learning

The process of learning involves so many questions, the answers which needs a thorough explanation of the phenomenon of learning.  Psychologists have tried to perform experiments for throwing light on the phenomenon of learning and as a result of it have developed various learning theories.  Each theory explains the nature and process of learning.

Modern learning theories may be classified into two broad categories, namely

A. Stimulus response – association type of theories

B.  Field theories or cognitive type of theories.

The former interpret learning in terms of the change in behaviour of the learner brought about by association of the response to a series of stimuli.  The chief exponents of this type of theories are Edward L, Thorndike, J. B. Watson and Ivan Pavlov; while the ideas and the system propagated by Thorndike is called “Connectionism”, the system presented by Watson and Pavlov is known as “Conditioning”.

The second type of theories looks upon learning as the change in the behaviour in the field consisting of the learner and his/her environment and the learner’s perception of the field.  These theories emphasize the role of purpose, insight and understanding in the process of learning.  The chief exponents of these theories are Kohler, Coffka and Kurt Lewin.

2.1. Trail and error method

Trail and error method is a simple form of learing.  Placed in a new situation the individual makes a number of random movements, those which are unsuccessful are eliminated and the successful are eliminated and the successful ones are fixed.

2.2. Learning by conditioning

Learning by conditioned response is the simplest and most rudimentary type of learning.  This is a type of learning where the process of substituting the original stimulus with a second one is explained. The chief exponents of this theory of learning are EdwardL.  Thorndike, John B. Watson and E.P. Pavlov.  The theory propagated by Thorndike is called connectionism, whereas the system presented by Pavlov came to be known as conditioning. 

2.3. Learning by insight

It is a contribution of gestalt psychologists.  Four German Psychologists all settled in Americ are the founding fathers of Gestalt Psychology. They are Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Kohler, Kurt koffka and kur Lawin.

In practical lines, in the method of learning by insight, they emphasized the nature of perception.

In this process of learning, the learner learns by observation.  Learning by perceiving the relationship on the scene and understanding the situation the learner strives to make some sense out of it, and it gives him/her clues regarding the way he/she should proceed to solve the problem.  The method he should pursue and a general awareness of the consequences of performing an act is prominent. This type of learning is obviously more efficient, for here the learner consciously perceives the relations which a problem involve passes form helplessness to a mood of confidence and grasp of the problem.

3. Methods of learning

Psychologists have generally agreed on the point that there are four forms or methods of learning. It is necessary for the teacher to know various methods of learning  to achieve maximum output from the learning process. Few of the methods are mentioned below.

3.1. Learning by imitation

The general tendency of human to copy others’ mode of action and behaviour is made use of in the process of learning. Imitation is one of the vital factors in the process of learning new things. Imitation implies copying specific ways of acting and behaving.  A baby learns to walk, dress, speak, eat and write as the elders are doing.  It is also observed that the children imitate the adults even in trivial matters.  Again even the adults knowingly or unknowingly imitate others; our habits good or bad, manners, postures and our conformity with social standards, etc. are results of imitation.  But it is a fact that imitation as a method of learning is more common among children than among the elders.

3.2. Learning by observation

Insight or observation is found to be an important constituent in the process of learning.  Here, learning is accepted as an intellectual activity and is considered as the best method of learning.  This method is used in problem solving.  This method is used in problem solving.  As a result of observation the learner gets insight and once he/she gets the insight he/she suddenly solves the problem.  Higher classes of life including human being have more insight than lower species of animals.

3.3. Recitation method

Recitation method is specifically for children.  Here the learner first reads the subject matter once or twice and then recites it in a sing song manner with a rythym.  The learner recalls it without referring to the content and revises the point that he/she is unable to recollect.

3.4. Spaced and unspaced method

In spaced method of learning, the learner does not go on learning the entire subject matter in one continuous sitting; after learning for sometime a period of rest is given.  Here, the principle of work and rest is applied.

3.5. Learning by doing

Many philosophers and educators have emphasized this method of learning.  Aurobindo Ghosh gave much importance to the activities of the child in connection with learning.  He is of the opinion that the best method of learning is learning by doing.  Mahatma Gandhi believed that the true education of the intellect could only be possible through a proper exercise and training of the bodily organs like hands, feet, eyes, etc.  learning by doing is a method of learning whereby the child should physically get involved in the activity given and learn through experience.

3.6. Learning by play-way methods

Froebel was the first educationalist who realized the importance of play in education.  He used play  as a means of education. As all children, by nature, are attracted towards play, it incites their interests and brings about a sense of joy in them.  In this method, even work becomes play and the children do it with great joy.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, it is very difficult to say which method is to be applied.  A single method may not work on all occasions and with all pupils.  The ability of the learner, the quantum of work, the content matter and the environment of the learner, etc. should be taken in consideration.

Learning is bound to bring about changes in an individuals responses to stimuli.  This change of improvement in individual’s behaviour is known as learning.  It is equally important to know what we learn and what changes are brought about by the knowledge that we get.  To conclude the change brought about by experience is commonly known as learning.  For example, if a child burnt his finger from a matchstick, next time when he/she handles it will be very careful. Thus, Learning is a process that starts at birth and continues till the end of one’s life. Hence, learning is not static but dynamic. With that note, let us learn, unlearn and relearn.