Principles of Learning Part 1

1. Learning is an experience which occurs inside the learner and is activated by the learner.
2. Learning is the discovery of the personal meaning and relevance of ideas.
3. Learning (behavioral change) is a consequence of experience.
4. Learning is a cooperative and collaborative process.
5. Learning is an evolutionary process.
6. Learning is sometimes a painful process.
7. One of the richest resources for learning is the learner himself.
8. The process of learning is emotional as well as intellectual.
9. The process of problem solving and learning are highly unique and individual.

If learning is a ship; the student/s are the captain and teacher/s are the map and the voyage is wherein learning will take place. Maps are there to guide the captain help him in navigating his course at the sea, but whether the captain will use the map is his own prerogative. In order for the captain to use the map, the map itself has to be in perfect condition it has to be readable, easily understandable, and of course it must be updated.

As you can see above, there are nine (9) principles of learning according to Horne and Pine (1990). Each principle is used in different learning experience and different scenarios. It is there for us (teachers) to remember that learning is not merely a classic picture of students sitting in their chairs while a teacher talk, talk, and talk in front. That simply is not enough for us to conclude that learning took place already.

Students might disagree, if I may say so myself some of us will still do, that learning is first and foremost began when the student himself is ready to learn. But that is the truth, we would see a continuous struggle between teachers and students always blaming one another, ready to fight just to prove that the other one is the problem (teacher or student) and not him (teacher or student). So for us to settle various queries or discussion on whose to blame it is important for students to understand that he alone, no matter how dull the teacher is, can choose whether he will learn new things or settle to what he already know.

But that doesn't mean that the teacher wouldn't do his part, it is expected that teachers will continue to excel and not settle for less. After all teaching is an art embody in science.

It is said (correct me if I am wrong) that simple knowledge or recall is the easiest thing to master because it is the lowest level of thinking. That is why learning has to meant something, teachers must relate their lessons to the needs, interests, and problems of  the learners. Therefore, what will occur in the learning process will be relevant and applicable to the lives of the students. 

Is that possible?

Of course it is possible, if the teacher will do a thorough assessment to his students to determine what is relevant and meaningful to them.

Learning (behavioral change) is a consequence of experience. I have this professor back in college every time we will be under his wings he will always say this mantra, "Read one, See One, Do one". He will always tell us that the way he arrange it is the most appropriate (read one should always took first). But those three can happen (and will happen) in different sequence, but the important thing to remember is that it doesn't matter which of the three comes first, what matter most is that you have undergone those three marvelous process.

It is not enough (although it is a great advantage) that you have read it, you must also experience it either by sight or by actually doing one. I for the record, does not like the idea of "Do one" first. I have experienced it, and let me tell you it is comparable to watching a foreign movie without subtitle. When that happen you have strengthen the possibility of conclusion that learning took place.

We always heard of the famous "Group Study", it is after all one way of learning. Learning is a cooperative and collaborative process. Learning is like war, you cannot win the war alone, you will always need help. And of course there is the joy of sharing pain and success.