The complex and long-term psychosocial process consisting of the individual acquisition or modification of information, knowledge, understanding, attitudes, values, skills, competencies or behaviours through experience, practice, study or instruction. (Adapted from: UIS 2012). Note that the definition of learning depends on the philosophical and psychological approach adopted. There are at least three different models in defining the learning process. Behaviourism views learning as a measurable change of behaviour as a result of the joint action of a number of environmental factors. Cognitive theories emphasize internal mental organization of knowledge, stressing the acquisition of knowledge, mental structures, and the processing of information. Constructivism views learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs new ideas or concepts based on prior knowledge and/or experience. (Source: Kridel 2010).
See also ‘
Teaching’.
