Learning TO BE Better Student PDF

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It is only when a student looks back as he reaches college that he realizes just how much time he had already spent in school. Having an education is an essential part of life and even if schooldays are over, people still continue to learn. Thus, one should take advantage of every opportunity to lea...

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Lesson 1: Learning to be a Better Student It is only when a student looks back as he reaches college that he realizes just how much time he had already spent in school. Having an education is an essential part of life and even if schooldays are over, people still continue to learn. Thus, one should take advantage of every opportunity to learn a better person.

What is learning In the field of human behavior, learning may be defined as relatively permanent changes in behavior brought about by practice and experience (Coon, 2001). As implied by the definition, learning involves acquisition of information or mastery of skills that brought about changes not only in how the person thinks and feels but more importantly in how he behaves. Learning does not always happen automatically for there are many factors that affect the process of learning. Some of these factors are:   

The characteristics of the learner The information/material to be learned The situation in which learning should take place.

PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF LEARNING

The human brain is simply amazing. For a long time, scientists have tried to unravel and are still unraveling the powers of the human brain. Human beings have reached this stage of evolution because of brain power. Parts of the brain, specifically the cortex, the cerebrum, amygdala and hippocampus are intune with reality and everything else that happen in the external world and internal world of the learner (Carlson, 1995). LIMBIC SYSTEM 1. The Cerebrum, which is the biggest part of the brain (approximately 75%) is the most highly developed part of the human brain. Its functions involve mental processes like thinking, perceiving, producing, and understanding language. Most information processing happens in the higher brain center, the cerebral cortex. 2. The cerebral cortex, which covers the cerebrum, is involved in several functions associated with learning including:  Determining intelligence  Planning and organization  Processing sensory information 3. The hippocampus which is a part if the limbic system is responsible for processing and storing short-term memory.

Lesson 1: Learning to be a Better Student 4. The amygdala also of the limbic system, is responsible for emotions, survival instincts, and memory.

Operant Conditioning Model

The Sensory Apparatus (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin, and kinesthetic senses) serve as gateways for the brain to take notice, understand and retain significant sensory data.

1. Associative learning is a type of learning that takes place by associating or connecting a stimulus or a response to a reinforcement. The processes involved in such a learning technically are known as a Classical Conditioning by Ivan Pavlov and Operant Conditioning by B.F. Skinner respectively. Conditioned responses/behavior can occur unconsciously within the individual. TYPES OF LEARNING Psychologist have discovered through experiments conducted on animals and its applicability to human beings, that learning may occur in two ways: a. By association or associative learning b. Cognition or cognitive learning (Feldman, 2010)

Examples of learning through  Classical Conditioning: The aroma of your mother’s cooking makes you happy. (The aroma reminds you of your loving mother.)  Operant Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

Studying hard for the quiz because you expect good grades

2. Cognitive learning is defined as learning through conscious mental activities like thinking, understanding and remembering. In the cognitive

Lesson 1: Learning to be a Better Student

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approach, learning may occur in two ways: a.) Latent learning by Edward Tolman is the acquisition of data that is the stored in memory for later use. An important aspect of this learning is the memory process and the formation of cognitive maps (e.g. Tolman’s maze). The ability to screen and encode data in the brain, analyze and assimilate new and stored data and retrieve it for use in a specific situation is a cognitive process. b.) Observational learning was proposed by Albert Bandura. According to Bandura, people can also learn by observing and imitating a model. Four factors should be present for learning through modeling take place. These are: Attention. The learner should focus on the behavior of the model. Retention. The learner should store what he observed in memory for recall. Motor Reproduction. The learner should be able to perform the model’s behavior from behavior. Motivation/ reinforcement. The learner’s behavior should be reinforced for the imitated behavior to be repeated.

METACOGNITION Metacognition was a concept that was introduced by John Flavell (1979).Metacognition according to Flavell is the process by which a person is thinking about, monitoring or observing his own thinking process. This involves mental strategies like planning, organizing and adapting. The metacognitive process is important for learning to be a success. Typically it involves

self-regulation, the awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses and the strategies a person would use to overcome and handle life difficulties. There are three components of metacognition: 1. Metacognitive knowledge. This component is about knowing how the person learns and his beliefs about learning in him and others. 2. Metacognitive strategies. This component refers to the affective aspect of the learning process. 3. Metacognitive strategies. These are the techniques used by the person to monitor his learning progress.

STUDY STRATEGIES Study Strategies also known as study skills are approaches or techniques used to maximize learning to get high grades, be successful in school and are useful in every aspect of life. The following is a brief description of each learning style: 1. Visual involves ease in learning that is presented with pictures and images. 2. Physical involves motor movements like drawing, building, and role playing. 3. Aural involves listening, uses sound like music, and recordings. 4. Verbal creates ease in learning through the use of spoken or written words 5. Logical involves reasoning, arguments to explain and understand concepts and ideas. 6. Social involves ease in learning with people and preference for study and group. 7. Solitary is preference to learning by himself apart from any form of social distraction.

Lesson 1: Learning to be a Better Student Students can choose which ones complement their unique learning style/s: 1. Have a plan as to when is the best time to study and stick to this plan. 2. Start reviewing the most difficult subject first. 3. Have a specific place for studying. 4. Outline and write notes. 5. Use mnemonics (memory aids) 6. Take notes during lectures and review notes during weekends or if possible, read through them every day, 7. Study in groups.

MANAGING YOUR LEARNING: SELF-REGULATED LEARNING Self-regulated learning is a form of selfempowered learning wherein the learner is active and self-guided in monitoring his own study. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Have a specific learning goal in mind. Have a learning strategy. Be your own teacher. Monitor progress. Reinforce yourself. Evaluate your progress and goals. Take corrective action. Boost motivation....