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BHARATHIDASAN UNIVERSITY, TIRUCHIRAPPALLI - 620 024, , CENTRE FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION, , , , LEARNING AND TEACHING, , B.Ed. IT YEAR, , (Copyright reserved) For Private Circulation only

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Unit I - PROCESS OF LEARNING, , Structure, , Ll Introduction, 1.2. Objectives, 1.3 Process of Learning, 1.4 Concept of Learning, 1.4.1 Types of Learning, 1.4.2 Factors influencing Learning, 1.5 Learning Process, 1.5.1 Attention, 1.5.2 Sensation, 1.5.3. Perception, 1.5.4 Concept Formation, 1.6 | Memory and Forgetting, 1.6.1 Concept of Memory, 1.6.2 Concept of Forgetting, 1.6.3. Types of Memory, 1.6.4 Applicability to Learning, 1.6.5 Strategies for Better Management of Memory, 1.7. Role of Motivation in Learning, 1.8 Let us Sum Up, 1.9 Answers to ‘Check Your Progress’, 1.10 Unit-end Exercises, , 1.11 Suggested Readings, , 1.1 INTRODUCTION, , The word ‘Learning’ obviously means us to think of study and classroom related activities., We then think about the various subjects and skills we intend to master in school. But, , ‘Learning ‘is not limited to school. It is happening in our day today life. We start to learn at

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once after our birth by adapting to the new environment. This learning may be deliberate or, , unintentional, for better or for worse, correct or incorrect and conscious or unconscious., , Every stage in our life is being moulded to bring modifications in our knowledge and, behaviour. A baby cries to make know the mother when he or she feels hunger and gradually, learn to cry whenever the baby feels uncomfortable in any situation in order to get care from, the mother. Thus changes in our behaviour are brought by the experiences that we gained, , through the interaction with the environment and its people., , What is the process of learning? How do individuals learn? What are the factors that, influence learning? What are the components of learning? What are the strategies we could, use to manage memory? In this unit, we are going to pose with these questions and try to find, out answers after going through this unit which will be helpful in gaining knowledge about, , the process/concept of learning., 1.2 OBJECTIVES, , After learning this unit, you will be able to:, , e — describe the process of learning;, , e — state the concept of learning;, , e — identify the factors influencing learning;, , e use the strategies for better management of memory;, , e — gain knowledge about the methods to improve motivation in learning; and, , e¢ understand the methods of improving motivation., , 1.3 PROCESS OF LEARNI., , , , We all know that learning starts right from the birth and continues throughout our life time., We learn something either incidentally or accidentally in common and natural situations of, our life. As teachers we should know that ‘learning’ is the core of the educational process., , Learning is a process continued through various steps., , The major attributes of learning as a process include it as a permanent change in the, behaviour of an individual, but not because of changes due to illness, fatigue and use of, intoxicants. The next attribute is that learning is manifested in the behaviour or activities of, , an individual which could be not directly observable. Learning results in some change of

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persistent contact with nature. The final attribute is that learning depends on practice and, , experience in a given situation., , Let us illustrate the process of learning with an example. Suppose we find that there, are three children from three different countries, like one from America, second from China, and another from Japan. When we observe them how they greet their teachers or the language, they speak, it would definitely vary from one another. This is the result of their early training, and experiences in home. The early training might have brought a permanent change in their, , behaviour and this type of learning can be termed as learning., , As we know the main objective of learning is to bring desirable changes to our, behaviour, it is quite essential for us to get knowledge about how people learn when they, come in contact with the learning environment and in the process of interaction with the, individuals. It is also very important to know how an individual apply the gained knowledge, through learning to the environment and people living around. By knowing the process of, learning, we could improve and accelerate learning process in such a way to achieve the, , desired learning outcomes., , The steps involved in the process of learning could be tagged under a) Preparatory phase, , and b) Actual learning phase., a) The preparatory phase. \t could be explained in the words of Smith as follows., , i. A motive or a drive: Every individual has their own basic motives and needs in, their life to achieve. Motive is a dynamic force which energies and compels an individual to, strive for satisfaction in achieving our needs. If we don’t feel our present behaviour,, knowledge, skill and performance adequate enough to satisfy our needs, we feel to bring, about changes in our behaviour to gain knowledge and skills that we need. This motive or, drive initiates a learner to learn what is required to fulfil their demands or needs. If the need, , is strong enough, we are compelled to strive for satisfaction., , ii. A goal: We need to set definite goal for achieving our needs. Learning becomes, purposeful only when we set goals and aims. The ways and attempts that we made to achieve, our goals makes the process interesting and orientate our potentials towards achieving our, , goals. Hence a goal is necessary in the process of learning.