Effective learning

What is effective learning?

 

In our age of information technology, it has become easy to obtain any information whatsoever. The only question is how to get it as efficiently as possible and put it into practice for a specific application.

 

Let's understand a little bit of terminology: what is learning in general and how this process is carried out. Understanding how the learning process takes place will help make the outcome more predictable, that is, make the learning itself effective. To learn about best apps for effective learning read here: https://www.naomikizhner.com/apps-for-effective-learning/

 

What is learning?

 

Let's turn to Wikipedia:

 

Learning (in pedagogy) - a purposeful pedagogical process of organizing and stimulating active learning and cognitive activity of students to acquire knowledge, skills and abilities, to develop creative abilities and moral ethical attitudes.

Learning - a type of learning activity, in which the quantity and quality of elements of knowledge and skills of the student are brought by the teacher (teacher) to the proper level (average, reference, possible), which is the purpose of learning.

There are several questions about what learning is.

 

Can we say that learning is a transfer of knowledge?

 

Perhaps, yes. From teacher to student, from books and videos to student, from one student to another. From those who have knowledge and a certain experience to those who acquire it, assimilate it.

 

Learning is a process of interaction?

 

Again, yes! With a teacher, a book, learning materials, students just like you, a different point of view, lots of options.

 

Learning is an activity?

 

And a conscious, purposeful activity that involves the teacher and the student.

 

Is learning an active process?

 

Exactly! Only in an active process will there be a result. Therefore, passive listening to lectures without practice, taking notes, making a thoughtful outline, and discussion makes no sense.

 

So, two types of activity overlap in the course of learning:

 

interaction between trainer and trainee, = communication

the direct mental and physical activity that the learner carries out in order to acquire the contents of the learning process (= knowledge) and the activities (= skills).

 

How does learning happen?

 

Generally speaking, learning comes down to two things: acquiring knowledge and acquiring skills. This is where we should start from.

 

It is possible to acquire knowledge:

 

A) independently

B) from a teacher-theorist

C) from a teacher-practitioner.

 

You can learn skills by:

- from one's own experience (Trial and Error Method, "Aha, that's how you do it" insight)

- by example ("See how you do it" and repetition)

In both cases, practice is imperative. Skills don't come from reading a book or watching a movie.

 

How do you learn effectively?

 

For starters, it's a good idea to figure out what the phrase "learning effectively" means. I want to ask you, especially those who are interested in this topic: what does effective learning mean to you? Is it super-fast reading, or memorization forever, or proper time management?  Or maybe it's developed speech and writing skills? Or high grades on an exam. Write in the comments what, for you, is the criteria for effective learning.

 

So what is effective learning?

 

Learning effectiveness is a measure of the coincidence between the actual results achieved and the goals set by the educational program.

 

Everyone has their own truth...

 

The issue of effective learning is of interest to students, parents, and teachers. So let's break it down from three perspectives:

 

A) for the student.

There is such a concept in pedagogy - to get a "fan", if there is one - the student moves in learning. For a pupil (of any age, in most cases) it is important to get knowledge in an accessible form, to develop interest, inner motivation to learn, the ease of the process and expectation of the result. In other words, if a child is bored and difficult in class, he is afraid of the exam, it is ineffective learning.

 

B) for the parent

The parent sees the process of learning from the outside, i.e. he sees his experiences and difficulties in the process itself and evaluates the external achievements of the child as a result of this learning. Thus, exam grades and comparisons with other children are most revealing to the parent. Again, this is for most parents, in no way do I want to offend anyone. The parent is outside of the teacher/student system, so on the one hand it is harder for him/her to get into all the nuances of the process and predict the result, on the other hand, it is easier to see the flaws in the process and get help when needed, or to get involved himself/herself.

 

B) for the teacher

The teacher/tutor/coach is the coordinator of the learning process, it is easier for him to predict the result because he manages the process. Working methods, individualization of learning, and constant monitoring of success are the main criteria for effective learning. But that's not all: the task of the teacher is to create a comfortable trusting atmosphere, to identify the motivators of the student, to create a situation of success, and of course to give the educational material as simple and accessible as possible.

 

 

What are your thoughts on effective learning, would you call your experience in school "effective"?