The Process of Learning

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The Process of Learning

Long before we are institutionalized, regimented and equipped with number two pencils and colored neat-books; we learn by falling into mud puddles and catching tadpoles. We find grass is green and sprouts between our toes and tickles the bottom of our feet with whispered softness. We sport kool-aid mustaches and know the purple kind is the best. We catch butterflies and learn their wings are as soft as the petals of the most exquisite flower. We learned through interaction using all our senses: touch, sight, smell, hearing and by experimenting. Though we had authority figures in our life that took care of our physical needs and stimulated our learning; we were basically free to explore and learn by watching.

Understanding how we learn is as important as what we learn. The human mind has the ability to grow brain with connecting cells called dendrites. Concentrated thought causes the brain to rewire itself, making it possible for anyone, young or old to learn. According to Psychologist Robert Stern, "To learn, we need the ability to organize our thoughts and coordinate them with action." This process is called meta cognition" or thinking about thinking. By thinking about thinking, the tutor can stimulate the thought process so that the student is able to come to the answers on his own. (Jennings and Blakemore).

Traditional learning uses a communication method that sends messages from the teacher, "an authority figure" to the students. Students do not interact with one another and the teacher has the power to direct the flow of interaction.

Or does he? Look outside the circle to the many sub-groups that affect class room performance.

Before we get to the class room we learn a great deal on the...

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...mor was an effect way to stimulate communication.

Life presents us with an endless series of opportunities to learn and teach. When we stop looking at the results of our efforts as successes and failures, but as opportunities to learn and teach we open a whole new world. Much can be learned by what is termed "failure" by looking at the thought process and events that brought us to that point. We learn to explore other options, to become more adaptable and flexible. We learn to find and utilize the tools that will help us improve. We learn to learn.

Works Cited

Jennings, Peter and Blakemore, Bill dir. Videotape. Common Miracles: The New American Revolution in Learning. ABC News 1993. 60 minutes.

Vermette, Paul and Erickson, Deborah. "Cooperative Learning in the College Classroom: Three Structures and Seven Activities." College Student Journal. June 1996.

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