Key Principles
- Learning is seen as “changes in the way in which the learner understands or organizes the elements of the environment.” i.e. in how he makes sense out of the environment
- Learning is not directly observable as it is a result of individual mental functions.
- Focus is on the cognitive process and unobservable constructs such as: meaning, beliefs, knowledge, intention, concepts, expectations, and creativity.
Instructor’s / Trainers Role
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To structure and organize information and materials through chunking, concept mapping etc so that learners can assimilate them meaningfully into their knowledge structure.
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To create a proper learning environment which stimulates knowledge acquisition.
Learner’s /Student’s/ Participant’s Role
- Take control of the learning situation
- Acquire knowledge, structure and organize it to aid their understanding
Examples of educational methods: Metaphors, analogies & simile, chunking (presenting information in “chunks”), concept mapping
References:
- http://www.umsl.edu/services/ctl/DEID/destination2adultlearning/2dlearningtheories.html
- Smith, M. K. (1999) ‘Learning theory’, the encyclopedia of informal education, www.infed.org/biblio/b-learn.htm, Last update:
- http://www.learning-theories.com/constructivism.html
Submitted by Lovely Kumar, Chief-Projects, Larks Learning
Contact: lovely@larkslearning.com or 91-9899108659