My Theory of Learning

There have been a great many theories of learning in the world, and I have come across a few, but my ideas are based on my experience. You might guess when you read this that science has played a significant role in my life.

I think of there being 3 aspects to (lets call it) knowledge (for now) as well as to learning:

* There is data (or facts, but I will try not to use that term as its ambiguous).
Data is things that we observe e.g. "my car is dirty", "after washing my car it is clean" " at certain times of the month the moon looks like a particular type of cheese", "when I move the leaver at the top of the tap water comes out"


* There are theories, these are connections in my mind between the data that I observe e.g. "The moon is made of cheese", "my obedience to the water deity causes water to come out of the tap", "washing my car causes it to become clean by removing the dirt"

* There are skills, these are the application of theories in the world. This includes both thinking that "I need to wash my car for it will become clean" as well as actually washing the car and experiencing it becoming clean.

Of course the boundary between the aspects of knowledge are a little blurred, but in general its not hard to decide which is which.

Learning is increasing any of these aspects of knowledge, and preferably all aspects. So it includes:

> increasing the data that I experience
> developing more theories and changing the level of my faith in theories
> increasing my skill by applying those theories in the world.

For example when I experience the data of plumbing etc. I may develop a new theory that links water coming out of the tap with plumbing, and decrease my faith in the water deity, and I would apply my new theory in the world with the skill of paying my water bill.

One day I might also apply my theory concerning dirt and cars by applying the skill of washing my car ... but don't hold you breath.

The way I approach teaching and learning.

These are a number of different aspects to this issue.

Learning relational and personal skills require practice. For example, I believe learning public speaking, relationships and other behaviours, can only be done effectively by practice. This is because these are in fact skills, and just like riding a bike, driving a car or learning to swim skills can only be obtained through practice.

Some people may well benefit from discussion of theory, and most by seeing the behaviour modelled. But this is not enough in itself. If you have seen someone swimming then you have some idea of the goal, and what movements are required to achieve them. Harry Potter could not understand how to do a Wonksey faint from the descriptions that Oliver gave him. It wasn't until he saw Krum preform the manoeuvre at the International Quidtch finals that he understood what Oliver wanted him to do.

Theoretical concepts on the other hand do require a verbal explanation. Geometry can never be taught by modelling and practice alone. Some explanation is necessary. Practice in applying the theory is also important. Of course some people must be able to workout theory without explanation, otherwise nothing new would ever be discovered, but the process is very slow.

Personally I enjoy theory, especially science and maths etc, so a theoretical discussion and explanation is a joy to me. I enjoy lectures because they increase understanding very quickly and then I enjoy putting what I have learnt into practice. However I know that many, or possibly most people don't like the theoretical approach.

Many people don't learn anything from lectures because they don't relate it to what they need to know, how they can use it. For these people it is important to start with how they are going to apply the theory in their lives. This is something that I am not yet good enough at dong in teaching. I need more practice because I tend to think more explanation will help and it often doesn't.