LEARNING Learning is a continuous process through which

LEARNING Learning is a continuous process, through which we can acquire knowledge, information and data etc. which makes more or less permanent change in the individual behaviour. Ø Learning is a lifelong process. Ø It starts with acception and end after death, i. e womb to tom.

DEFINATIONS Psychologist have given us various definations of learning, of which some are given Below: 1. According to Ryburn: “ In its simplest stage learning is a matter of making a response to a situation or modifying a previous response in order to bring about an improvement. ” 2. In the words of Crow and Crow: “Learning is acquisition of habits, knowledge and attitudes, it involves new ways of doing things and it operates in an individual’s attempt to overcome obstacles or to adjust to new situations. ” 3. According to Skinner: “Learning is both acquisition and retention of habit, knowledge and attitude. 4. According to Smith: “ Learning is the acquisition of new behaviour or the strengthening and weakening of old behaviour as the result of experience. ” 5. According to Colvin: “ Learning is the modification of the reactions of an organism through experience. ” 6. According to Gates: “Learning is the modification of behaviour through experience and Training. ” 7. I. P. Gilford: “Learning is any change in behaviours resulting from behaviour. ”

CHARISTIC OF LEARNING The main characteristics of learning are given below: 1. Learning takes place due to new experience and training. 2. Learning is the establishment of bond between stimulus and response. 3. Learning is an act of adjustment of individual with his environment. 4. Learning is universal process. 5. Learning is nothing but problem solving. 6. Habits make learning permanent. 7. Interest and learning are interrelated. Without interest anything can not be learnt. 8. Maturation plays an important role in learning. More maturity may result in make capability to learn.

Learning Vs Maturation 1. Learning is a result of environmental stimulus, where are maturation is biological in nature. 2. Maturation provides readiness to learn. 3. Maturation occurs due to neural and muscular development, while learning take place through practice and experiences. 4. Learning and maturation both result in modification of behaviour.

FACTORS AFFECTING LEARNING There are certain factors that effect learning process which bring improved performance and thus contribute to efficient learning: Ø Subjective factors: - Such as his capacities motivation, age, sex, previous experience etc. Ø Subject matter: - Such as length, difficulty, meaningfulness of the learning materials. Ø Method: - Such as review or recall, over learning, practice, recitation, sensory, modality etc. 1. Age: - There is a popular belief that, children learn better than adult or old people. It is believe that, more people grow in age, the more their ability to learn new material decrease. 2. Sex Difference: - It is generally observed that there are sex differences in learning of various subjects, skills, attitudes etc. 3. Interest and Attitudes: - It is important factor for successful learning. We will learn faster if we are interested in the materials or skills to be learnt.

4. Motivation: - It refers to the internal state that derives the learner towards the goals. An individual’s motivation or the urge to learn brings about better learning. 5. Reward and Punishment: - It is also a important factor of learning. Modern psychologist, however, use a more general term to cover both cases ‘reinforcement’. Reinforcement in one that strengthens a response – any thing that promotes learning. 6. Whole and part learning: - This factor is related with the method of learning the content. Generally it is easier to learn part than as a whole. 7. Over learning: - Over learning beyond the point of the first errorless reproduction. 8. Value of review or recall: - Effortful recall has powerful influence on learning. Recall may also be termed as mental review.

TRAIL & ERROR METHOD OF LEARNING This method is based on theory of connectionism propounded by Edward Lee Thorndike. According to him learning is the result of connection or bond established between stimulus (S) and response or reaction (R). In short it is called ‘S-R’ bond theory. The environment provides the stimulus to which the individual makes his/her response through the sense. This bond or connection between S and R can be strengthen through repetition.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRAIL AND ERROR LEARNING Some characteristics of trail and error learning are given below: 1. Trail and error learning is a gradual process. 2. The soul of this method is repetition. 3. At the initial stage the number of errors and time taken appear to be high. In the subsequent attempt they are in the downward trend. 4. In this method, wrong attempt given away to the right attempt. 5. It is described as blind mechanical method of learning. 6. Human and animal both learn through this method.

EDUCATIVE VALUE of TRAIL & ERROR METHOD 1. This method of learning enables the learner to gain efficiently in different subjects by making repeated attempt in his/her own way. 2. Student’s motto should be ‘try again. ’ 3. This method lays more stress on ‘learning by doing. ’ 4. It is the method of practical learning through which teacher and student may be gained more experience through practical knowledge. 5. Bad habit can be given up and good habit can be formed. 6. Trail & error method is more useful for the children of low intelligence that bright. 7. Generally this method is better for the children of tender age than adult.

INSIGHTFUL METHOD OF LEARNING 1. This method of learning is based on Gestalt theory. 2. Gestalt is a German word which means ‘Whole’ or ‘Total Pattern. ’ 3. Three German psychologists namely Wertheimer, Kohler, and Koffka. According to Gestalt psychologists, learning takes place as a whole. In the act of learning the learner tries to grasp the whole situation, but not as a parts. When the interrelationship of the parts came to be known, the idea of the whole emerges in the mind of the learner suddenly just like a flash of light. As a result, the learner may solves any problem through it.

CHARACTERISTICS OF INSIGHTFUL LEARNING Major characteristics of insightful learning are given below: 1. Learning occurs sudden. 2. It emphasizes more on the whole than parts. 3. It avoids blind mechanical process of trial and error learning. 4. It emphasizes on power of observation and perception. 5. This method is not helpful for common people. 6. Insight is related to the intellectual level.

EDUCATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF INSIGHTFUL LEARNING 1. The learner should grasp the whole or complete object first before comprehending its parts, or the teacher should present the complete object first to the students and then proceed to explain its parts. 2. It is very helpful for creative and constructive activities. 3. It makes man self dependent and become guide to his own action. 4. The dormant qualities of the student may be developed through this method. 5. It is very helpful for gifted children. 6. In order t understand a difficult subjects this method has proved to be very useful.