Learning

Learning is a process. When searching for a definition that appealed and represented my knowledge of learning, I really agreed with how the Berkley Centre for Teaching and Learning explained it: “At the core, learning is a process that results in a change in knowledge or behavior as a result of experience. Understanding what it takes to get that knowledge in and out (or promote behavioral change of a specific kind) can help optimize learning.” (UC Berkley, 2018). Learning is active, built upon prior knowledge, occurring in a complex social environment, situated in an authentic context, requires learners’ motivation and cognitive engagement. This process is cyclical and complex and requires the learner and teacher to deeply engage in the process, if it is to be effective. The process builds upon experiences and cannot ever be seen as complete. In Martin’s work, he contends that learning is always continuing with new concepts and applying the concepts to new situations. Learning is viewed through a holistic lens upon which new schema are built each time learning occurs. (Martin, J. 1996).

The epistemology of learning is complex and continues to shift with changes in society. How we know what we know is built using experiences, teaching, and application of knowledge in a variety of settings. There is no best way to learn, and it really depends on the individual. What I do know at this time is that lifelong learning will be necessary for everyone in our society. Formal learning might be signaled by the accumulation of degrees one has, but the learning may never stop. Situations, experiences, and economics will require that everyone invest in the learning process to keep up with transitions that occur all the time in society and culture. Hennessey & Amabile (2010) address this balance that is needed between old and new, between intelligence and creativity, in order to achieve stability in an era of change.

Hennessey, B.A., & Amabile, T.M. (2010). Creativity. Annual Review of Psychology, 61, 569 – 598. doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100416

Martin, J.R. (1996). There’s too much to teach: Cultural wealth in an age of scarcity. Educational Researcher, 25(2), 4–16. doi: 10.3102/0013189X025002004

UC Berkely: Berkely Center for Teaching and Learning (2018). What is Learning? Located at: https://teaching.berkeley.edu/resources/learn/what-learning