Someone
asked me for my definition of learning a few days ago. We often hear different
definitions of learning depending on what theoretical point of view we
associate with, be it, behavioral (classical or operant conditioning), social
learning (ala Bandura), cognitive, constructivist, connectivist, etc. With the vast
resources and opportunities in front of learners today, a particular theory or
perspective may no longer apply. So what is learning then?
Defining learning?
According
to Merriam-Webster’s, learning is “the
activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing,
being taught, or experiencing something: the activity of someone who learns.” Synonym
discussion of learning noted by Webster’s: “knowledge, learning, erudition,
scholarship mean what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind.”
But
I did not look at Webster’s or any learning theory book when responding.
Instead, when asked, I simply thought about it and I said:
Learning (per Bonk) is: “The accumulation of ideas,
experiences, concepts, facts, insights, and awarenesses that enable a sentient
creature to react to and live within one’s surroundings in a more intelligent,
thoughtful, appropriate, artful, empathic, and/or reasoned way than previously
possible.”
How’s that
for off the top of my head? “Accumulation” may be the wrong word, but oh well. I
guess I was attempting to be inclusive as today learning is best thought of
from the standpoint of multiple theoretical approaches and models or perhaps no
learning theory. As instructors, we are creating learning environments that are
often highly blended ones, combining aspects of face-to-face and online
environments.
Final note
that I double majored in both Human Learning and Human Development in the educational psychology department when at UW Madison in the late 1980s (I minored in educational
technology); hence, there is some aspect of human/creature development in the
definition of learning above. As noted by Vygotsky and many other sociocultural
researchers, learning and development overlap and are highly intertwined
constructs. As the pool of learning resources expand, we can begin to think not
just about some small or short-term aspect of learning (e.g., behaviorally shaping
someone who wants to learn to dance or shoot a pool stick), but take a more
macro lens on how we develop over time. I will end there…for now.
What is
your definition of learning and why? (By the way, it is great to see that the School of Education (and the educational psychology department) at Wisconsin remains #1 among public universities. I sure "learned" a ton when there.) Labels: definition, development, educational psychology, learning, University of Wisconsin |
