Maharashtra Board Class 12 Education Chapter 4 Learning Process PDF Download

Learning Process

4.1 Learning Process

Learning is an important process for the students. Students need to learn to gather information and knowledge, to excel in examination, to imbibe good study habits, for progress in education, for professional progress, to elevate the living status, to be a successful individual, to lead a happy and satisfied life and to achieve personality development. In this unit, we will study about the learning process.

4.1.1 Concept of Learning Process

An individual begins learning since birth, which goes on till death. Learning is a natural and continuous process. Our senses should be active for effective learning. Man has achieved progress due to constant learning. Psychologists have defined learning in various ways. Few of the definitions are given below:

According to Norman L. Munn, "Learning is the permanent adaptation while responding to the situation."

According to Murphy, "The term learning covers every modification in behaviour and perception."

According to Crow and Crow, "Learning is the acquisition of habits, knowledge and attitudes."

We can conclude from the above definitions that learning means the process of bringing purposeful change in one's own self, according to surrounding situation and environment. This change is supposed to be relatively permanent. Learning involves many physical and mental activities. Appropriate learning brings change in behaviour that is long lasting. Learning causes changes in knowledge, attitude, values, skills etc. of an individual, which are reflected through that individual's behaviour. When change in behaviour of an individual's affective, cognitive and psychomotor domain occurs, we can say that learning has taken place. Change in cognitive domain means development of thinking power due to acquisition of knowledge. Change in affective domain means change in individual's emotions, values, interests and attitude. Change in cognitive or psychomotor domain means change in individual's physical movement or activities. On the basis of this, we can describe the nature of learning.

Teacher's Note

Learning happens when we use our senses and mind together. Like when you learn to cook with your mother, you use your eyes, hands, and brain at the same time.

Exam Trick

Remember the three domains: Cognitive = thinking, Affective = feelings, Psychomotor = movement. Just like your body, mind, and heart are different, these domains are also different.

Points to Remember

Learning is a natural and continuous process that starts from birth.

Learning means bringing purposeful change in yourself according to your environment.

Cognitive domain is about thinking and knowledge.

Affective domain is about emotions, values, and interests.

Psychomotor domain is about physical movement and activities.

4.1.2 Nature of Learning Process

Goal (Oriented) - Learning process leads to goal. Every person has a goal in life for which he/she learns. Without a goal, learning will not happen.

Motivation - Motivation is essential for learning. Motivated individuals urge to achieve the goal through learning.

Path Searching Movement - After motivation, an individual tries to find the correct way to reach his/her goal.

Adjustments - It is very important to do adjustments while learning.

Repetition - Learning should be repeated several times to avoid forgetting.

Insight - Learning should be done with comprehension of gist, so that gained knowledge shall last for a long duration.

Restructuring Of The Behaviour - While learning, as we go on enriching our experiences, we also go on restructuring the behaviour and planning the right actions.

Teacher's Note

When you learn to ride a bicycle, first you need the goal, then motivation, then you try different ways, and finally you keep practising until you become perfect.

Exam Trick

Remember GARRIR: Goal, Adjustment, Repetition, Restructuring, Insight, Readiness. Each step is important for learning to stay in your mind.

Points to Remember

Learning needs a clear goal that you want to achieve.

Motivation means the urge or desire to learn something.

You must practice again and again to remember what you learn.

Understanding the main idea is more important than just memorizing.

As you learn more, you change your behaviour and actions for the better.

4.1.3 Characteristics of Learning Process

On the basis of various definitions and nature of learning, we can state the following characteristics of learning process:

Learning is a fundamental process of human life which leads to the progress.

As Learning is a psychophysical process, it is necessary that senses should be active.

Learning is a continuous process.

Learning is a purposeful and goal oriented process.

Learning involves a specific sequence.

Internal and External motivation is essential for learning.

Learning brings desirable change in the behaviour.

Capacity of adjustment increases due to learning.

Learning is firmly rooted through practice and constancy.

The changes in behaviour caused due to learning are progressive in nature.

Acquisition of new things is expected to happen through learning.

The knower, the knowable and the knowledge are trilo of learning.

Knowledge acquired by learning can be applied in another kind of learning.

Learning helps in comprehension.

Teacher's Note

Learning is like planting a seed. You give it water and sunlight every day. Slowly, it becomes a big tree. Just like that, learning needs practice and time to become part of your life.

Exam Trick

Remember: Learning is both internal and external. Internal = your desire to learn. External = your family, school, and environment helping you learn.

Points to Remember

Learning is a process that continues throughout your whole life.

Learning needs both your senses and your mind to work together.

Every learning has a purpose or goal behind it.

Practice and hard work make learning strong and lasting.

Learning helps you understand new things and change your behaviour in good ways.

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