Module Components

• Overview
• Assignment

Topics

• Definitions of Teaching and Learning
• What is a Teacher
• What is Learning
• The Teaching Learning Process

NURS 787 - Theoretical Foundations of Teaching and Learning

Module 1: Introduction to Teaching and Learning

What is Learning

• Bastable (2014) defines learning as a “…change in behavior as a result of a lifelong, dynamic process by which individuals acquire new knowledge skills, and/or attitudes that can be measured and can occur at any time or in any place due to exposure to environmental stimuli”.
• WordNet defines learning as a "cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge".

Learning is defined in behavioral terms in the first definition and learning is defined as a cognitive and thinking process in the second definition. The two definitions are similar but they are not the same! Acquiring knowledge does not always lead to a change in behavior.

When learning is defined as a change in behavior, learning is an outcome or a product. For example, a learner has learned when they can transform learning into an action, such as changing a sterile dressing means that one has learned about asepsis and wound healing. Alternatively, learning can be defined as a process. Process views learning as what takes place as learning occurs, which is the learning process. Details of the two views of learning are articulated in this article on learning.

There are other definitions of learning than outcome and process. Some definitions equate learning with solving problems and acquiring skills. Review the definitions and decide which you think are most relevant for the learner group you anticipate working with.

There are several types of elements and characteristics that help achieve successful learning.

Characteristics of good learners from Faculty Focus (Weimer, 2014)

1. Good learners are curious
2. Good learners pursue understanding diligently
3. Good learners recognize that a lot of learning isn’t fun
4. Failure frightens good learners, but they know it’s beneficial
5. Good learner make knowledge their own
6. Good learners never run out of questions
7. Good leaners share what they’ve learned

In this brief TED talk, a high-school chemistry teacher talks about sparking learners’ curiosity.

Marylander Dr. Nick Furhman presents a great Ted Talk about one thing all great teachers do in this inspiring YouTube video. I hope you enjoy it and learn a little bit about teachers, and creatures!

Edutopia is an education-related source of all kinds of podcasts and other information about teaching and learning. Here is an interesting Podcast which offers some unique perspectives on learning (Ackoff & Greenberg, 2008).

Reflection Activity:

Some people think that if the learner does something (a change in behavior), the learner has learned. Others believe that if the learner thinks (cognitive), learning has occurred. What do you think?