So, what is learning?
The act of acquiring knowledge.
We all know, learning makes us knowledgeable and we also very well know knowledge is power.
We use our mind to learn things which is a free gift for all of us by nature. Everyone wants to learn more, become knowledgeable and successful.
But in spite of all our sincere efforts, when we start to learn any topic we are faced by many challenges that limit the knowledge we attain ultimately. Here we are trying to find solution to all these challenges by understanding a powerful approach to learn things.
As we know, to learn (understand) something we require following things:
1. Brain power
2. Resources for learning like teachers, academic institutions, textbook, digital information from internet etc. and
3. Set of skills to utilize above things effectively and finally accomplish our goal of attaining mastery in the desired topic.
Among all points given above; last point is most important because if we are approaching something without skills required for affective learning we are definitely reaching half the way.
As a solution we are devising here a universal, very generic learning plan which can be used to learn any topic and convert into persistent knowledge. When we have persistent knowledge of something we are said to have MASTERY on that topic.
The plan is composed of steps somewhat in a hierarchical fashion that will guide precisely what and when learner has done its necessary things in order to understand its desired topic.
The recommended is to follow steps in orderly fashion (first step to last step) but learners are allowed to make adjustments to suit their needs. For example, we can omit few steps that are not relevant to current topic we are learning. Still plan will help us to give awareness about list of all necessary steps that learners have to follow while learning any topic affectively.
It should be noted here each step is seen as one single learning skill which learner acquires when he approaches the learning in accordance with the step. The degree of perfection of approaching learning according to specified step determines the mastery level of that learning skill in that person. It is suggested that learners should only concentrate on doing each step precisely and completely and mastery in that step will gradually and automatically with time. So, don’t worry at all about how to acquire these learning skills or how to attain mastery in each of these skills. Just follow steps, do it what is said and that’s it. You will definitely get the results.
So, let’s start with very first set of steps that learners had to take in the beginning state of learning a topic. These set of steps belongs to ‘Cognitive Domain’.
Learning skills set 1 - Cognitive Domain Learning Steps (Skills)
Objective: Knowledge
Keywords: Knowing, Brain
These learning steps belong to Cognitive Domain. To understand objective of these learning steps better we should try to relate all work done in these steps is for acquiring knowledge about that topic in human brain. That is following the sets of learning steps in Cognitive Domain we are aware about that topic and we know that topic till mastery level straight into our heads.
· Step 1 - Knowledge
o Terminology and specific (direct) facts of the topic. E.g. BIT, ASCII, Three main parts of computer is input, output and processing unit.
o Deal with above facts (how to use above facts). Convert decimal to binary, learn about set of ASCII characters.
o Principles and generalizations, theories and structures.
· Step 2 - Comprehension (understanding of central idea conveyed indirectly and usually hidden)
o Translation of topic information into more meaningful form.
o Interpretation - Making a picture in mind. For e.g. of some abstract idea.
o Extrapolation - An inference about the future (or about some hypothetical situation) based on known facts and observations.
· Step 3 - Application
o Solving problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge.
· Step 4 - Analysis
o The abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts in order to study the parts and their relations.
· Step 5 - Synthesis (Making new knowledge) by
o Combining elements into new pattern
o Proposing alternative solutions
· Step 6 - Evaluation (Proof of validity and quality of the concept)
o Doing judgments based on set of internal criteria. For e.g. devising a proof of the theorem or based on observation results of the conducted experiment.
o Doing judgments based on criteria from external source.
Learning skills set 2 - Affective Domain Learning Steps (Skills)
Objective: Growth in attitudes, emotions and feelings
Keywords: Feelings and emotions, Heart
· Step 7 - Receiving
o The lowest and prerequisite level skill of affective domain. The learner passively pays attention. Without this level no learning can occur. This skill is acquired by paying attention on factors that enhances audience receiving skills like making learning environment silent, introducing ways to make topic interesting etc.
· Step 8 - Responding
o The learner actively participates in the learning process, not only attends to a stimulus; the learner also reacts in some way. E.g. doing quiz on particular topic.
· Step 9 - Valuing
o The leaner attaches values to an object, phenomenon or piece of information. For e.g. knowing its benefits in using it, percentage of marks allotted to a question, attach that information with some other piece of information or fact that motivates learner.
· Step 10 - Organizing
o Learner puts together different values, information and ideas and accommodate them within his own schema (understanding).
· Step 11 - Characterizing
o The learner holds a particular value or belief that now exerts influence on his/her behavior so that it becomes a characteristics.
Learning skills set 3 - Psychomotor Domain Learning Steps (Skills)
Objective: Practical learning in conjuction with brain and physical movement. Improving existing learning skills of Cognitive and Affective domain.
Keywords: Doing, Hand
· Step 12 - Perception
o The ability to act on someting based on guidance acquired by doing analysis from mind and information received from sensory stimulation. For e.g. analyzing where ball will fall and catching the ball.
· Step 13 - Set (person's mindset)
o It includes mental, physical, and emotional sets. These three sets are dispositions that predetermine a person's response to different situations (sometimes called mindsets). Knows and acts upon a sequence of steps in a manufacturing process. Recognize one's abilities and limitations. Shows desire to learn a new process (motivation). NOTE: This subdivision of Psychomotor is closely related with the “Responding to phenomena” subdivision of the Affective domain.
· Step 14 - Guided Response
o The early stages in learning a complex skill that includes imitation and trial and error. Adequacy of performance is achieved by practicing. What is means with practice learner skill will move to next level that is will become Mechanism skill. Learner is given guidance (real-time / offline) and based on giving guidance he/she acts. E.g. following instructions to build a model.
· Step 15 - Mechanism
o This is the intermediate stage in learning a complex skill. Learned responses have become habitual and the movements can be performed with some confidence and proficiency. Examples: Use a personal computer. This skill is acquired once learner shows movements patterns without Guided Response.
· Step 16 - Complex Overt Response (the perfection stage)
o The skillful performance of motor acts that involve complex movement patterns. Proficiency is indicated by a quick, accurate, and highly coordinated performance, requiring a minimum of energy. This category includes performing without hesitation, and automatic performance. Maneuvers a car into a tight parallel parking spot.
· Step 17 - Adaption
o Skills are well developed and the individual can modify movement patterns to fit special requirements. Examples: Responds effectively to unexpected experiences. Modifies instruction to meet the needs of the learners.
· Step 18 - Origination
o Creating new movement patterns to fit a particular situation or specific problem. Creates a new gymnastic routine.
So, now we have a powerful learning plan which we can use as a guidance to target learning of any desired topic effectively.
Thanks for reading. Happy Learning!
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