The
principal forms or methods of learning are learning through imitation, learning
through conditioned response, learning through trial and error, and learning
through insight.
Learning
through Imitation:
Learning
through imitation is one of the most important forms of learning. It is generally
observed that children imitate the behavior, habits, manners and ways of
adults. In imitation, the learning exactly copies the behavior of anther person
without understanding or thinking.
The main
characteristics of learning through imitation are the following:
·
The imitator never does it before imitation, but
performs the activity only after seeing it
·
In imitation, learner exactly copies the activity
performed before him/her (learner)
Learning
through Conditioned Response:
It is
one of the most important methods of learning, especially for children. In
childhood, many of the responses of the child are conditioned to particular objects
and even when the individual becomes an adult, his conditioned response
continues.
Learning
through Trial and Error:
The
method of trial and error is used in the following circumstances:
- This method is used when the learner is completely motivated and can see the goal clearly. Motivation as well as the presence of the goal is necessary for awakening the response in learning through trial and error.
- The method of trial and error is used when the learner fails to find the solution of the problem. It is only when he/she fails to find out the solution of the problem that he/she proceeds blindly, tries in various directions, commits errors, eliminates them, and finally arrives at a successful response
- The method of trial and error is used when perception alone or learned activities are not sufficient.
Learning
through Insight:
The
insight method of learning is superior to the methods of imitation and
conditioned response, because both the latter methods (imitation and
conditioned response) take more time.
Students
will be permanently helped by the use of insight method of learning in place of
trial and error methods in their studies and other activities.
There
are many characteristics of learning through insight. These are as follows:
Insight is sudden
- Insight alters perception
- Old objects appear in new patterns and organization by virtue of insight
- Insight is relative to the intellectual level
- Previous experiences and maturity also effects insight
Maturation and Learning:
The learner’s
stage of maturity is important in the learning process. Until and unless, there
is sufficient physiological maturity, there will be little learning.
For
example, the child learns to walk only after he has reached a particular stage.
He learns to read more easily only after he has reached his individual state of
readiness for reading.
Rate of
maturation varies from individual to individual. Automatic activity, random
acts, reflexes and instincts and sudden expressions of emotions can be accepted
as unlearned actions and the result of maturation.
