What is learning? Flashcards
What is learning?
The process by which relatively permanent changes occur in behavioural potential as a result of experience
Learning is a process
happens over time (language learning takes more than 6 months)
Learning refers to relatively permanent changes
not a temporary change of mental states
Learning refers to an improvement
in knowledge skills & competence (potential) vs. actual performance
Learning as a result of experience
Biological development: result of puberty and maturing / Experiential development: result of sensory experiences
Learning is not always directly visible (=?)
= latent / it can only be inferred from behavior
Active Process
structural changes in specific brain structures as a result of sensory information being processed
Information saved in … in the brain
Neurons (data points)
Learning occurs a as result of two processes
Explicit Learning: conscious (with focus, attention, awareness)
Implicit learning: subconscious (without focus, attention, awareness)
Neurological Perspective - What is learning?
Formation of neuronal network
Psychological Perspective
Knowledge is stored in a mental network of interrelated concepts (spreading activation)
Enhance amount of subconsciously processed information related to object of learning (how?)
Create rich learning environment, involve multiple senses, minimise rote learning
How is our Mental Lexicon (storage of vocabulary knowledge) organised?
Meaning of Words: semantically related words stored together (synonyms/ antonyms)
Use of words: frequently used collocations/ chunks stored together (less to learn, can retrieve as one item: “to quench one’s thirst”)
Form of words: words that are written similarly or have similar sound structures (clang associations)
Learning Processes distinguished by intentionality
Intended: Planned (predominant at school, usually with clear focus & Goal)
Incidental: unplanned, non-intentional (e.g. watching a Netflix Series and subconsciously picking up new vocabulary)
Establishing new & strengthening old connections - the stronger the connections among neurons, the more likely it is that stored information can be retrieved
Active thinking processes through e.g. challenging tasks and repeated use strengthens connections
Repetition = mother of all learning
Emotions strengthen connections & facilitate retrieval
Activating prior knowledge and relating new information to prior knowledge
Consider how our Mental Lexicon is organised (MUF)
