Activity 1.3: What is Learning

Activity 1.3: What is Learning?

Definition of Learning:

Learning is a continuous acquisition of schema, and the assimilation of and accommodation to new information (what), unique to the individual (who), in a given time (when), and place (where), as one interacts physically, psychologically, and socially with the environment.

Learning Is Change:

The word learning is a verb, an action, which implies change. Even before my son, Chris was born, I read books about becoming and being pregnant and child development. Once born, I read about and observed the changes in him as he developed, as he learned. I had a difficult time appreciating the things he could do in the now, and was always reading ahead to see what he would do next. I just could not wait to see what he could and would do next! It was like Christmas every day, waiting to see what gift he would give us, his parents. Watching babies grow and learn is like a time-lapse video, they seem to change right before your eyes! As parents and teachers, we must recognize, allow and encourage change in our children and adolescents, and be willing to change as well.

Learning Can Be Resisted:

Reluctant learners can be challenging. I have seen this in students who may be shy, lack confidence, or have low self-esteem. They may be hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, (HALT), an AA and Al-non slogan or tool, used to help people recognize why they may be resistant to change or learning new behavior. Sometimes, by simply addressing any one or more of these factors, one can lessen resistance to learning. I have recognized this in my own children when they appeared irritable, by suggesting that I make them something to eat, or send them to bed. I remember a colleague who took the position, politically, as a right wing, conservative republican, but was Catholic, which I pointed out as a possible contradiction in ideology.  During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the 2004 presidential campaign between Bush and Kerry, while many people at work were openly discussing the virtues of the War on Terrorism, she was so resistant to change, that she literally covered her ears with her hands to keep from hearing arguments that might influence her views. She took a pro-life stance when it came to abortion, as a Catholic, but supported the killing of innocent Iraqi women and children during the invasion and subsequent war. Instead of being able to express her feelings and ideas, she shut down. She was resistant to learning, resistant to possible change.

Learning May Be Disadvantageous:

Learning is not always a positive process or result. People can learn bad habits and inappropriate behaviors. Some of these are unhealthy or unwise, while others are dangerous or criminal. Some people choose to enter into this freely, while others, due to social conditions or pressures. In my job, I often see adult and adolescent patients, who act as helpless victims. They take little or no responsibility for the choices they have made, yet, they appear, entitled. They have no job, little education, but expect to receive food, shelter, a medical card and often a disability check. They demand that society owes them. They have learned to be helpless victims and often their children expect the same entitlements and express that they plan to drop out of school and live off their “check” as their parents do.

Learning Refers to Both a Process and a Product:

I think of my metaphor, “Learning is a Dance”, where dance can be both a noun or product, and a verb or process. The process of learning occurs as one acquires the dance steps, and after much practice and change, the dance becomes the outcome, result or product. The process and product may be evaluated by the dancer, the instructor, and/or the audience, which my lead to change and thus more learning. This cycle may continue until the dance is mastered or perfected. Then it is time to learn a new dance.

Learning is Different at Different Points of Time:

I talked about the rapid growth and learning processes, we see with infants. Children and teens are like little sponges absorbing the world around them. I want to address the other end of the spectrum of life, our senior citizens, specifically my parents. Alan and Sylvia Park have been the two most amazing role models for how to make the most of one’s senior years.  My pop died two years ago, October, at the age of 90. He and I talked about how disappointed we were, when he found out he had 95% blockage in his arteries, and that surgery and other procedures were not recommended at his age, that he was not going to live another 8-10 years, to make it, at least, to age 98 like his father. Al and Syl belonged to a weekly hiking/ biking group, walked the mall, socialized with many friends, many in their 90s as well. They have always had a more active social life than I ever had. They traveled often, across country by car, and went on cruises all over the world. They listened to music, went to plays and concerts, shared meals at restaurants to stay thin, read books, magazines and three newspapers, mainly so they could work the daily crossword puzzles together. Pop also did the daily Jumbles and Sudoku, and volunteered to do taxes and pay bills for other seniors.  Syl is a devout Catholic. While Al was a devout agnostic, he made sure Mom made it to Sunday mass no matter where they were in the world. My parents never stopped learning. In his last year, Pop, who was an engineer for John Deere for over 30 years, had the latest and best technology, including the best Swedish hearing aid system, had trouble remembering how to use his smart phone, IPod and IPad. That is when I knew he was getting old. They had made a conscious decision to keep their bodies and minds healthy and strong, and continue to learn to stave off dementia as long as they could, in their senior years. They succeeded. Now my mother Sylvia, age 85, continues learning and living this way, without her husband of 60 years. I have been her chauffeur for trips across country, for the past two summers, and I hope to continue our travels and to learn and live life as my parents taught me.