Week 5 Activty 1 - Definition of Learning

Week 4
This week we were looking at the social dimensions of learning as another contiuum (individual-social) to look at alongside the AM and PM continuum. Not instead of.

A1. Defining Learning Summary
We were all asked to (without doing any research) define learning. My definition was

"Learning is the means or process by which people consciously and subconsciously acquire knowledge either formal or informally, consciously or subconsciously, individually or collaboratively, through experience or observation, trial and error, pushed by formal learning outcomes or pulled by personal desire.

The learning process results in changes to behaviour, feelings, opinions, abilities and often other peoples’ views of the individual who is showing a change as a result of their learning. The way that formal learning is applied/used will differ depending on the motivation to learn but the way that informal learning (ie learning from just being) may be applied subconsciously."

I found it really hard not to focus to much on the role of acquisition in learning , although I have used the term in the first paragraph showing that I feel that learning has 2-parts (at least) - the acqusition and then the results of that acquisition - ie how the learning is used, experimented with and then reformed. (IE the Kolb learning cycle must have influenced my definition).

Others included phrases such as:

Anthony's definition was short and sweet:
Learning:
the acquisition of facts or concepts;
individually or collectively;
intentionally or unconsciously;
which can be used either alone or in combination;
to create knowledge;
that satisfies a particular need;
cognitive or practical;
in either a personal or professional context. (Berry, A. (2009) H800 les6 09 W4 A1 3rd March 2009 09.35

Eddy suggested that this was too much focused on the Acquistion metaphor.

Anthony explains this further: "As a language teacher I am influenced by Krashen's differentiation between learning (instruction) and acquisition (learning by experience). I think that Krashen spoke about apprenticeship as acquisition - that combination of knowing and doing, which from a language perspective is evidenced by the 'professions' developing their own genres which either include or exclude depending on the level of eculturation". (Berry, A. (2009) H800 les6 09 W4 A1 6th March 2009 10.36)

Paul Kenney offered a very brief definition "Learning is to develop understanding of a task or discipline" (Kenny, P. (2009) H800 les6 09 W4 A1 1st March 2009 09/31) But others in the group questioned that understanding often comes before ability to do something, the example used was children learning to speak. They often understand what they hear but are unable to speak it themselves, in fact understanding comes before ability. (See Silver, K. 2nd March 2009, 22.55 and Stoermer, E. 2nd March 2009 16.12)

Mike introduced the idea of learning in isolation, some people questioned in terms of understanding it as learning from books - so it's not completely isolated as there is an author there too. In support of Mike's suggestion, examples were given of a naturalist exploring insects without any prior reasrach or information, another example given by Sharon was if you put your hand in a fire, you'll soon learn that it's hot without anyone/thing having to teach you this. But then the question of this being research and not learning arose. (See thread starting with Gilbert, M. (2009) 2nd March 2009, 17.22)

Roxine used the term "accumulative" to show that we are learning all the time, which also reflects the cyclical nature or process nature of learning that many of us identified. Beaumont-Sempill, R. (2009) H800 les6 09 W4 A1 3rd March 2009 11:36


Simon C offered this definition "So my definition would be: "Learning is the radiation of knowledge. Some are too thick skinned to be effected while others are illuminated." Cowan, S. (H800 les6 09 W4 A1 5th March 2009 20.50)


We were then instructed to look up some definitions of learning.

Sharon suggested these two, among others:
"This definition comes from the free online dictionary - http://www.thefreedictionary.com/learning

1. The act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill.
2. Knowledge or skill gained through schooling or study. See Synonyms at knowledge.
3. Psychology Behavioral modification especially through experience or conditioning.
....

This third definition is taken from the Open University Open Learn site - http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=160207

Learning is an interactive process between people and their social and physical environment which results in changes to people's knowledge, attitudes and practices." Clark, S. (2009) H800 les6 09 W4 A1 3rd March 2009 08.24

As Simon A pointed out, and as I found, many definitions were either written from the acquiusition metaphor view but some referred to learning as a process, as did many of us in our own definitions. Simon introdced the difference between learning and cognition, ie what is learning and how do we learn.

"Learning:
The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, practice, or study, or by being taught.

Cognition:
The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and the senses." (Allan, S. (2009) H800 les6 09 W4 A1 3rd March 2009 09.57)