FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING

Each student has his own style of learning, so it’s worth remembering some fundamental principles of learning.

Students may learn in different ways and at difference rates.

First, a motivated learner learns more readily than one who is not motivated. Learning, motivated by reward, is usually preferable than learning under the threat of punishment or the fear of failure.

Also, self-motivation is preferable to motivation imposed by external sources, like the teacher or school.

We all know from experience that students who have experienced success in the past are more willing to set higher goals for the future. They will work harder to achieve these goals, even if they fail in their initial attempts.

Students also need practice in setting realistic goals, ones that are neither so low as to elicit little effort nor so high as to preclude success. This leads to more efficient learning, than unrealistic goal-setting – or setting sights on something so improbable.

A clearly stated goal and a clearly perceived relationship between instruction and achievement of that goal increase student motivation.

Active participation in a learning task is also preferable to passive receipt of what someone else has learned.

Application of knowledge to the solution of new problems will be more efficient if the student has experience during learning in a variety of situations. Knowledge will also be more useful it is learned in a situation similar to that in which it will be applied.

And lastly, emotion as well as intellect is involved in the learning process.