The Different Ways We Learn

Learning is a very 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 a certain activity. With this in mind let’s take a look at the different faces of learning.

Basically 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, certain machines, and of course 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 a period of time. 

Sensitization is another non associative learning form that showcases gradual increase in the response after consistent exposure to a stimulus. Next up is associative learning which involves an interaction with a distinct and separate element in order to obtain understanding and skill. 

First on this list is operate conditioning which simply utilizes consequences in order to shape the form and occurrence of 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 tagged as observational, social, vicarious, or modelling. 

This entails observation, retention, and replication of novel behaviors as seen from other people. 

It is said that observational learning is a vital component of childhood development especially in situations wherein authority plays a significant role. 

By fact, the best role models are those a year or two older.

Learning can also take place during acculturation. 

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 positively, competency of the language and rituals under the culture is achieved. There is a technique known as rote learning.

 It gives emphasis on memorizing the material in order for the individual to recall the material in the exact 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 it is repeated over a number of 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 in order to enhance learning via internet and network based computers. Augmented learning occurs when a learner participates within the realms of e-learning.

Play is an activity which does not necessarily present a purpose but nevertheless done specifically by children in order 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.

Have a great day.