Learning and Education for Beginners

Learning is a process that tends to increase the potential and performance of an individual.

Understanding its meaning and how this process works is very important to become a true learner.

In this article, I will cover every single thing about the learning process that will help you in becoming a keen learner. So, without any further delay, let’s dive in!

Learning

What is learning?

If we go by the definition, learning is defined as a process that steer change. It is a result of experience and aims at increasing the performance and potential of an individual.

The change I’m talking about can be in the form of knowledge level, behavior or attitude. Learning allows a learner to see the world and its concept differently.

It is not something that can be taught to students. Instead, it is something that students acquire themselves. It is a clear result of the response of students to their interpretation and experiences.

I love learning

What is Education?

Education can be broadly defined as the process of imparting knowledge, skills and values to individuals. It starts from pre-school up to higher education. The basic aim of education is to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for their respective future.

What is the difference between learning and education?

Education and learning are two different aspects. While learning is the process of acquiring knowledge, ideas, skill and values, education is a process of passing all these from one generation to another.

Both education and learning have a deep impact on the mind and behavior of a person. But as a matter of fact, learning is the basic unit that is possessed by each and every individual.

Learning is an ongoing process meaning a person keeps on learning throughout his life, from the day he is born till the day he dies. On the other hand, education is acquired at a certain phase of life.

Moreover, education is formal while learning is informal.

Learning for Beginners

Learning is one of the most important things in life. It starts from the day you are born and continues until the day you die. You learn every day, even if you don’t realize it.

During your lifetime, you will learn about many different things. You will learn how to read, write, and do math. You will also learn about history, science, and other topics.

In school, you will learn more specific information. For example, in grade school, you might learn to read and write correctly. In high school or college, you might study subjects such as math, science, history, and English.

No matter what kind of learning you do outside of school (for example learning a new language), it is always helpful to start with some basic learning skills.

The Basics of Learning

There are a few things that are necessary for any learning process to be effective:

  1. Interest – If you are interested in something (for example history), then it is much more likely that you will remember what you have learned.
  2. Desire – When you want to learn something, it becomes much easier to do so. If you are motivated to learn something new, then the task becomes much easier.
  3. Practice, Practice, Practice! – The best way to learn something is to practice it. This means that you should do the task as often as possible until it becomes second nature.
  4. Failure – Fail and fail again!  Learning is a process of trial and error. Even the best students make mistakes. This is what makes learning so exciting and challenging!
  5. Grit –  Grit is a term that is used to describe the ability to keep going despite difficult circumstances. It is the quality that enables you to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
  6. Success and flow – Flow is  a state of intense concentration and focus. It is often associated with a feeling of joy and satisfaction. When you are in flow, you are completely absorbed in what you are doing. Success and flow is the internal reward for all the hard work and practice. Wich brings us to the final step:
  7. Passion –  When you start to master and feel the joy of learning, you will also develop a passion for it. This is what will keep you motivated and focused throughout the years.

So, these are the seven things that are necessary for any learning process to be truly effective.

Once you have mastered these basics, you can begin to learn more complicated subjects. However, even if you do not want to learn a subject on its own, knowing how to approach it will help when you do encounter it in school or elsewhere.

What are learning theories?

There are five main learning theories including behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, humanism and connectivism. The process of learning is defined by all these theories. Let’s discuss them in brief :

Behaviorism

According to behaviorism theory, learning is defined as a process of acquiring knowledge through observation. In simple words, this theory signifies the importance of acquiring knowledge from real-world events and experiences.

Cognitivism

As the name suggests, cognitivism focuses on the facets of mind such as memory, thinking, problem-solving and recalling. Just like behaviorism, it is also about learning through association but the difference is, it focuses on internal processing rather than the real-life events.

Constructivism

Constructivism is simply constructing the knowledge from understanding and previous experiences. It is similar to translating the theories in the conceptual forms that can be easily understood.

Humanism

Similar to constructivism, humanism is also a student-centric theory. It focuses on the growth of mind.

Connectivism

Finally, connectivism is a theory that focuses on the future aspect. It takes into account the transformation of knowledge acquisition with time. For example, the changing nature of the learning process with our modern digital age.

What are the different types or styles of learning?

There are basically four types or styles of learning. Depending upon certain traits, learners fall into categories such as visual, auditory, Kinesthetic and reading /writing.

Visual learners

As the name suggests, students who learn better when the information is presented in a graphical form and known as visual learners. This learning style involves learning through pictures, charts, diagrams etc.

Auditory learners

Aural learners are the students who acquire knowledge better when it is presented in the vocal form. This is one of the most effective learning styles when adopted properly. It offers the most value to the learners.

Reading/writing learners

Individuals who process better by reading or writing about certain information falls into this learning style. This includes presentations, lectures, handouts, researching etc.

Kinesthetic learners

The individuals who learn by physically participating in the process are known as kinesthetic learners. They have the ability to use all of their senses while learning something.

What Is Digital Learning?

Digital learning is the use of technology in the classroom to help students learn. For example, digital learning can include using computers to create and share documents, using online resources, participating in online discussions, and using multimedia (such as videos) to teach concepts.

Some people argue that digital learning will change schools completely. They say that today’s schools are too static and that students need more opportunities to interact with different types of information. Others believe that digital learning will help students become better readers, writers, and problem solvers.

How Digital Learning Is Changing Schools and Education

Digital learning has revolutionized the way people learn. Gone are the days when students had to attend classrooms and take notes on paper. With digital learning, students can access information from anywhere they want, at any time.

This technology is changing not only the way we learn, but also the way we teach. For example, teachers can now provide more personalized instruction to their students via digital tools. In addition, online courses are becoming increasingly popular in both high school and college education systems. These courses allow students to complete a set of modules or lessons in a remote environment, without having to travel to an actual campus or classroom.

Overall, digital learning is changing schools and education for the better. It allows students to access information from anywhere at any time, making learning more efficient and effective overall.

Learning and Education Resources

To get started with your Learning project, be sure to check out our extensive list of resources. This includes communities, articles, videos, and tools that will help you get started quickly and smoothly.

Communities and Websites:

  1. Education on Reddit
  2. Learning on Pinterest
  3. #education on Twitter
  4. Learning on Quora
  5. Education on Youtube

Books:

So, this was all about the learning process, theories and learning styles. If you want to dive into the world of learning, even more, you can check out these amazing books:

Why Do We Love Learning?

We love learning because it is one of the few activities that we can do that makes us smarter, more interesting, and more productive. Learning also makes us happier because it fulfills our need for autonomy and mastery. In addition, learning is a key part of growing into adulthood and achieving our full potential.

Top 5 Reasons Why We Love Learning

  1. The desire and strive to make life better is what defines us as humans. This drive to learn and evolve is what helps us become better professionals, spouses, parents, and friends.
  2. Learning makes us smarter. Brain research has shown that learning new information actually changes the structure and function of our brains.
  3. Learning makes us happier. The happiest people are those who are constantly learning and expanding their horizons.
  4. Learning is a key part of growing into adulthood and achieving our full potential. If we don’t learn during our childhood years, it can make it more difficult to do so later in life.
  5. The sense of satisfaction that comes with completing a challenging task or learning something new is unmatched by any other experience in life ( almost 🙂 I love icecream more.. ).

How to Show and Celebrate Your Passion for Learning?

When it comes to learning and education, passion is key. Showing an interest in the topic and having a love for it will help students connect with what they are learning. 

5 Great Ways to Show and Celebrate Your Passion for Learning

Here are some great ways you can show and celebrate Learning:

  1. Start a blog and share your learning experiences and insights with the world.
  2. Take up a new hobby or activity that interests you and learn as you go.
  3. Celebrate your achievements by donating money or time to charity that supports education and learning opportunities.
  4. Attend educational events and lectures that interest you and learn from the best in the business.
  5. Get involved in student clubs or societies that focus on learning and education topics.

Conclusion

Learning and education are two important and essential aspects of life. By understanding why we love learning, as well as how to show and celebrate our passion for learning, we can help our students become better educated individuals.