THE NATURE OF LEARNING
It is common to think that learning takes place in school. However, much of human
learning occurs outside the classroom and people continue to learn throughout their lives. “The
ability to learn is the most significant activity of man.” This occupies important role because
without learning, all efforts of pupils and teachers will become purposeless. Learning is a
lifetime process. As long as people are alive and continue to interact with the forces in the
environment, learning occurs.
DEFINITIONS OF LEARNING:
It is a change of behavior through experience.
It is the acquisition of knowledge and behavior patterns.
It is the modification and coordination of responses of organisms.
Learning is a reflective process whereby learners develop new insights and understanding
of changes and restructures his mental processes. (Ornstein, 1990)
Learning is an integrated process. It is an on-going process occurring within the
individual enabling him to meet specific aims, fulfill needs and interests, and cope with
the learning process. (Lardizabal, 1991)
Learning is defined as a change in an individual as caused by a certain experience.
(Slavin, 1995)
Learning is the acquisition of knowledge through maturation and experience. Through
this, the learner is able to make better reactions, responses, and adjustments to new
situations. (Calderon, 1998)
THE PROCESS OF LEARNING
According to concepts of educators, learning involves five phases:
1. Unfreezing- the stage where the individual becomes motivated and ready to consider
changes in attitudes, behaviors, knowledge, and skills.
2. Problem Diagnosis- This is the stage of determining and examining the forces
supporting the need for change.
3. Goal Setting- knowledge of the administrators and proficiency in activities involving
instructional methods, procedures and processes.
4. New Behavior- This phase is where the individual learns, adapts, and practices the new
KSBA which are earnestly desired.
5. Refreezing- The final phases where learning have found to be relevant and beneficial to
the learner’s on-going framework.
PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING
1. The learners must have a clear idea of the goal
There should be a clear communication between the teacher and the learner about
the goals and objectives of the instruction.
Learners readily understand the internalized concepts, ideas, and theories which
are relevant and can satisfy their needs and cope with problems they meet.
2. The learners must be physiologically and psychologically ready.
They must prepare to respond to new experiences. The law of readiness
postulated by Edward Thorndike is applied to this situation.
When a n organism is prepared to respond, giving the response is satisfying and
being prevented to do so is annoying.
This implies that teachers must be aware of student’s level of readiness.
3. Learners must be motivated to learn.
Motivation is the basic principle in teaching process.
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation could be applied by the teacher.
4. Learners must be active in the teaching-learning process.
Students should have personal involvement in the learning situation.
Learning by doing is in effect- direct involvement in the learning activity.
5. Learners should always repeat or practice what they learned.
Constant correct practice makes perfect.
The Law of Exercise by Thorndike adheres to this situation
6. Learners must see and feel the significance of what they learned to real life
situations.
New experiences should be built upon those that have significance and meaning
to sustain effectiveness of learning.
Understand fully the implications of these to their real life situation.
7. Learners have to be taught in different ways due to individual differences.
Be able to recognize variations in their emotional, social, physical, spiritual, and
moral development.
8. Learners learn democracy in a democratic environment.
Learners need to experience freedom.
They should be aware of their privileges, responsibilities, and rights.
9. Learners learn faster when teachers utilize their past experiences.
Start from what they know
Learners are not zero-knowledge
10. Learners are encouraged to think and reason out through the teacher’s expression
of confidence and creative encouragements.
Motivation of learners should be done at the start of the class.
Sustain their enthusiasm and energy
CONDITIONS THAT FACILITATE LEARNING
1. A pleasant atmosphere of learning environment- this helps the learners participate well.
2. A permissive atmosphere- an atmosphere that promotes pupils to discover meanings and
concepts naturally.
3. Congenial atmosphere- recognizes student’s rights when errors are committed and
accepted as a natural part of learning process.
4. Friendly atmosphere- promotes a co-working together relationship or acting together
willingly for common purpose.
5. A respectable atmosphere- worthy of esteem where learners feel they are respected and
accepted. There is a genuine expression of care on the part of the teacher.
