We all know that the human brain is immensely

complex and still somewhat of a mystery. It follows

then, that learning-a primary function of the brain
-is understood in many different ways. Here are
ten ways that learning can be described.
The Definitions
1 "Achange in human disposition or capability that
persists over a period of time and is not simply
ascribable to processes of growth."
2- From The Conditions of Learning by Robert
Gagne
3 "Learning is the relatively permanent change in a
person's knowledge or behavior due to
experience. This definition has three
components: 1) the duration of the change is
long-term rather than short-term; 2) the locus
of the change is the content and structure of
knowledge in memory or the behavior of the
learner; 3) the cause of the change is the
learners experience in the environment rather
than fatigue, motivation, drugs, physical
 condition or physiologic intervention."
4-From Learningin Encyclopedia of Educational
Research, Richard E. Mayer
s "We define learning as the transformnative process
of taking in information that-when
internalized and mixed with what we

have experienced-changes what we know and

builds on what we do. It's based on input,
process, and reflection. It is what changes us."
6-From The New Social Learning by Tony Bingham
and Marcia Conner

7 It has been suggested that the term learning

defies precise definition because it is put to
multiple uses. Learning is used to refer to (1)
the acquisition and mastery of what is already
known about something,(2) the extension and
clarification of meaning of one's experience, or
(3)an organized, intentional process of testing
ideas relevant to problems. In other words, it is
used to describe a product, a process, or a
function."

8 -From Learning How to Learn: Applied Theory for

 Adults by R.M. Smith
9 "Acquiring knowledge and skills and having them
readily available from memory so you can
make sense of future problems and
opportunities." (Listen to an interview with one
of the authors.)
10 From Make It Stick: The Science of Successful

Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger

III, Mark A. McDaniel
11 "A process that leads to change, which occurs
as a result of experience and increases the
potential of imnproved performance and future
learning."
12 From How Learning Works: Seven Research
Based Principles for Smart Teaching by Susan
Ambrose, et al.
13 "The process of gaining knowledge and
expertise."
14 From The Adult Learner by Malcolmn Knowles
15 "Learning involves strengthening correct
responses and weakening incorrect
responses. Learning involves adding new
Learning
1)Meaning and Concept
’ Learning is the process by Which individual acquires
knowledge, attitudes and skills that are necessary to
meet the demands of life.
’ While catching a burning candle, a child gets burnt
and he withdraws the fingers.
’ When he faces a similar situation again he withdraws
his fingers faster.
’ Gradually he learns to avoid not only the burning
candle but also other burning things.
’ The behaviour of an individual is thus changed
through experiences.
’ This change in bchaviour brought about by
expericnces is commonly known as learning.
’ Thus, learning means change in behaviour or
behaviour potential that occurs as a result of
experience.
’ Learning can result from both vicarious and direct
experiences.
’ Vicarious means observing someone and learning
from the observation and not being directly involved
in the experience.
’ For example, a child learns how to clap hands by
seeing someone else do it.
’ Learning also takes place through direct experiences.
’ For example, a child learns to write by practicing
writing.
’A child normally learns from his parents, teachers and
the environment.
’ Learning is a key process in human behaviour. All
living is learning. If we compare the simple, crude
ways in which a child feels and behaves, with the
complex mode of adult behaviour is skills, habits,
thought sentiments and the like we will know what
difference learning has made to the individual.
’ The individual is constantly interacting with and
influenced by the environment.As stated above the
scales knowledge habits attitudes interests and other
personality characteristics are all the result of law
’ As stated above, the skills, knowledge, habits,
attitudes, interests and other personality characteristics
are all the result of learning.
’ Learning is defined as "any relatively common and
change in behaviour that occurs as a result of a
practice and experience".This definition has three
important elements.
A.Learning is the change in behaviour - Better or
Worse.

B.It is a change that takes place through practice or

experience but changes due to growth or
maturation are not learning.
C. This change in behaviour must be relatively
Characteristics of Learning
’An individual starts learning as soon as he is born.
’He continues learning throughout his life.
’Learning is the acquisition of habits, knowledge
attitudes and skills.
’It involves new ways of doing things and attempts to
adjust to new situations.
’Itshows progressive change in behavior as the
individual reacts to a situation.
’It is an effort to adopt his behavior effectively to
demands made upon him.
’Itthus enables him to satisfy interests or to attain
goals.
’Learning is expected to bring about more or less
permanent change in the learner's behavior.
’Thischange may range from the acquisition ofa
relatively simple skill, item of information to the
mastery of complicated mechanical performance and
application of difficult and abstract reading material,
change in response or behavior is caused partly or
wholly by experience.
’It includes behavior change in the emotional sphere,
refers to the acquisition of symbolic knowledge or
motor skills.
’It however does not include psychological changes
like fatigue, temporary sensory resistance and hunger.
’Learning should enable us to make the least use of
the things in the world around us.
’For example, one has to learn the art of living
harmoniously with others by learning how to
establish good relations with fellows.
’Learning is not limited to the school alone, it begins
earlier and continues even after the school days.
’Yoakman and Simpson have described the following
nine important characteristics of learning.

(1) Learning is Growth

’ The individual grows as he lives. This growth
implies both physical as wellas mental
development of the learner.
’This individual gains experiences through
various activities.
’These are all sources of learning.
’ The individual grows through living and
learning. Thus growth and learning are
interrelated and even synonymous.
(2) Learning is adjustment
’Learning enables the individual to adjust himself
 properly, with the new situations.
The individual faces new problems and new
situations throughout his lifeand learning helps
him to solve the problems encountered by him.
’That is why; Many psychologists describe
learning as "a process of progressive adjustment
to the ever changing conditions which one
encounters.

’The society in which we live is so complex and

so dynamic that any one type of adjustnment will
not be suitable for all or nmany situations and
problems.
’It is through learning that one could achieve the
ability to adjust adequately to all situations of
life.
(3) Learning is Purposeful
’All kinds of learning is goal oriented. The
individual acts with some purpose. He learns
through activities. He gets himself interested in
when he isaware of his objectives to be realized
through these activities therefore all learning is
purposive and in nature.
(4) Learning is Experience
’The individual learns through experiences.
 Human life is the fall of experiences. All these
experiences provide new knowledge,
understanding skills and attitudes. Learning is
not mere acquisition of the knowledge, skills and
attitudes. It is also the reorganization of
experiences or the synthesis of the old
experiences with the new.
(5) Learning is Intelligent
’Major cramming without proper understanding
does not make learning.
’Thus meaningless efforts do not produce
permanent results.
’Any work done mechanically cannot yield
satisfactory learning outcomes. Learning
therefore must be intelligent.
(6) Learning is Active
’Learning is given more importance than
teaching.
’It implies self activity of the learning.
’Without adequate motivation he cannot work
wholeheartedly and motivation is therefore at the
root of self activity.
>Learning by doing is an important principle of
education and the basis of all progressive
 methods of education like the Dalton the
Montessori and basic system.
(7) Learning is both Individual and Social
’Although learning is an individual activity, it is
social also.
’Individual mind is consciously or unconsciously
affected by group activities.
’Individual is influenced by his peers, friends,
parents, relatives and classnmates and learns their
ideas, feelings and attitudes in some way or
others.
The social agencies like family, church, markets
and clubs exert immense influence on the
individual minds.
’ As such, learning becomes both individual as
well as social.
(8) Learning is the product of the
environment
’The individual lives in the direction of the
society. Particularly, environment plays an
important part in the growth and development of
the individual.
’The physical, social, intellectual and emotional
development of the child is molded and
 remolded bythe objects and individuals in his
environment.
’Therefore, emphasized that children's
environment should be made free from unhealthy
and vicious matters to make it more effective for
learning.
(9) Learning affects the conduct of the
learner
’Learning is called the modification of behavior.
’It affects the learner's behavior and conduct.
’Every learning experience brings about changes
in the mental structure of the learner.
’Therefore attempts are made to provide such
learning experiences which can mold the desired
conduct and habits in the learner.