The Learning Process

Learning Process

it is carried out through steps

1. Motive/Drive

2.Goal

3. Obstacle/Block/Barrier

Motive / Drive

Motive is the dynamic force that energizes behavior and compels an individual to act.We do any activity because of our motives or our needs.When our need is strong enough, we are compelled to strive for its satisfaction.learning takes place because of response to some stimulation - as long as our present behavior, knowledge, skill and performance are adequate to satisfy our needs, we do not feel any necessity to change our behavior or acquire nerd knowledge and skillsit is a requirement which initiates a learner to learn something.

Goal

every individual has set a definite goal for achievementif a definite goal is set then learning becomes purposeful and interesting

obstacle / block / barrier

keeps us away from attaining our goalwhy is a barrier important in the learning process?

The Learning Curve

Graphical representation of how learning takes place in a particular situation

Learning Curve

First person to describe the learning curve was Hermann Ebbinghaus in 1885 he found that the time required memorizing a nonsense syllable increased sharply as the number of syllables increasedPsychologist, Arthur Bills gave a more detailed description of learning curves in 1934 he also discussed the properties of different types of learning curves, such as negative acceleration, positive acceleration, plateaus

Learning Curve

According to Skinner, a learning curve is a progress representation of persons improvement or lack of improvement in a given activity.Raimers et al. defined the learning curve as a method of partial learning of a given activityS. K. Mangai : a learning curve is a graphical representation of how learning takes place in a particular situation

Learning Curve

In the learning curve, there are two scales: horizontal and vertical.Horizontal scale: x-axis units of time, number or trials required for learningVertical scale: y-axis into units of achievement, material studied or problem solved, etc

Characteristics of Learning Curve

Slow initial progress

Spurt-like learning after some time

Declination in the rate of learning

Plateaus of learning

Sudden increase in learning

Gradual levelling at the end

Types of Learning Curve

We get different types of learning curves depending upon:

The nature of the learner

The nature of the task/learning material

Time available

Conditions under which the learning takes place

Three Common Types of Curves

Negatively accelerated or the CONVEX curve

Positively accelerated learning curve or the CONCAVE curve

COMBINATION of CONVEX-CONCAVE curve

CONVEX CURVE

It depicts rapid initial improvement in learning that slows down with time. When the task is simple and the learner has precious practice on a similar task.

There is slow initital improvement and learning increases with time. When the task is difficult, we get this type of learning curve.

CONCAVE CURVE

Combination CONCAVE-CONVEX

It looks like the capital letter SThe curve take concave or convex shape in the beginning depending upon the nature of the task.

** In actual practical situations, such smooth curves are rarely found. Usually there are ups and downs (fluctuations).

Factors Influencing Learning

Factors related to the learner

Factors related to the teacher

Factors related to environment

Process related factors

Task related factors

Factors related to the learner:

The learner itselfIntelligenceAgeWillingness to learnGuidanceEducational backgroundHealth statusAttitudeLevel of aspirationAnxietyMotivation

Factors related to the teacher

Knowledge of the subjectTeachers behaviorKnowledge of psychologyMethods of teachingKnowledge of individual differencesPersonalitySkills

Factors related to the teacher

Mental abilities and capacity of the teacherEducational and academic qualificationsCapacity of classroom managementJob involvement and responsibilityCommunicative competence

Educational Importance of Learning Curve

In acquiring the basic skills on various subjects, the learner at times appears to show no progress. At such moments, the teacher can diagnose the reasons for the lack of progress.

A students progress may be arrested because the work is too complex for him. The teacher can observe the students work and detect the part that gives him trouble. The teacher should see if the student has developed any faulty study habits, which impede his progress.

Educational Importance of Learning Curve

The plateau may be due to the lack of motivation. The teacher should provide encouragement in order to maintain motivation at a high level.

The learning curve give a graphic evidence of ones progress which is an effective motivational device for the learner.

Occurrence of plateaus can be minimized by using superior teaching methods.