Strategies for Studying, Learning, and Researching
By David Alderoty ©2014
Chapter 16) School Based Learning, and Acquiring Skills and Knowledge Outside of the Classroom
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Learning in Everyday Life, and Learning in the Classroom, What is the Difference
Learning in Everyday Life, the Natural Learning Process
Much of our learning and skill development takes place outside of the classroom. This generally involves the following three components. 1) We acquire knowledge from one or more of the following: friends, family, colleagues at work, articles, books, instruction manuals, television, the Internet, or any type of self-study. This is coupled with 2) weeks, months, or years of practice and 3) trial and error learning, especially when skill development is involved. I am calling this the *natural learning process, and it is explained in detail in this section.
*A concept very similar, (but not identical) to the above is defined by many other authors. However, some authors use the same or similar terminology (natural learning process) to describe a different learning strategy. Keep in mind I am using the terminology, (natural learning process) precisely as defined in the previous paragraph. Thus, my definition and descriptions should not be confused with the material from other authors, which can be seen at the following eight websites. 1) Natural Human Learning Process, 2) The Natural Learning Process, 3) Brain/Mind Principles of Natural Learning by Renate and Geoffrey Caine, 4) An ASCD Study Guide for Teaching to the Brain's Natural Learning Systems, 5) SEEING EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF NATURAL LEARNING, Geoffrey Caine, LL.M. and Renate Nummela Caine, Ph.D., 6) The Natural Learning Research Institute, 7) Natural Learning Cycle, 8) Similarities and Differences between Adult and Child Learners as Participants in the Natural Learning Process
A Detailed Description of the Natural Learning Process
Most people are not aware of the natural learning process, because it often takes place automatically. This will become apparent, if you ask people how they learned their native language, how they acquired social skills, how they learned to walk, or how they developed a specific type of highly advanced set of skills. You would probably get a vague and somewhat inaccurate answer to the above questions. This is explained in the following paragraphs.
People learn their native language with the natural learning process, starting from infancy to adulthood, which represent years of practice. The trial and error component of this process takes place when children make linguistic errors, which are usually corrected by their parents. In a similar way, children learn social skills, and manners.
Toddlers, learn to walk with the natural learning process. This requires a couple of years of practice. The trial and error component includes the automatic feedback that the child receives when he or she falls, or walks without falling.
Most, if not all, sports and acrobatic related skills are learned with the natural learning process. This requires prolonged practice, and trial and error learning. This may be coupled with instructions from various sources, such as coaches, friends, videos, and/or books.
Most experts, and highly skilled individuals, initially acquire knowledge with formal training in the classroom. However, the actual skill development and practical learning takes place when they apply what they learned. This involves prolonged practice, and trial and error learning, which usually takes place in the work environment. For example, physicians initially learn about the human body, and the treatment of diseases, in medical school. However, they essentially go through the natural learning process, in a hospital setting. This involves about three years of practice and trial and error learning, under the supervision of experienced physicians.
The Classroom Learning Process, as it Takes Place in the Typical College Course
If you study everything in the assigned textbook for a college course, and/or applied the natural learning process, you would probably learn more than the other students would. However, if the course were structured in a typical or traditional style, you would probably fail the examinations, which is explained in the following paragraph. Nevertheless, the above learning strategy would probably work well, for an individualized self-study course that is graded on projects created by the student.
To be successful in a traditional college or graduate school course necessitates a focus on the specific requirements that you will be graded on. This is usually the material the instructor presents in class. Your mastery of the course material will usually be evaluated with tests and/or term papers. Generally, you must focus your study time and efforts on the material that relates to the test evaluations. Most students are well aware of this, and they usually want to know what will be on the test.
The material that will be on examinations is usually emphasized by most instructors. The instructor may provide a review before the examination. Some instructors will provide sample questions, or tests that were used from previous classes. From the perspective of obtaining good grades, this is a very valuable resource. Another valuable resource is the notes you take in class, which usually represent the material that will be on the examinations.
Applying the Natural Learning Process to the Material You Learned in the Classroom
It might be impractical to learn many of the subjects taught in school, solely with the natural learning process. This is because there is not enough time, to engage in prolonged practice and trial and error learning.
However, after you complete a course, you can apply the natural learning process, to develop the knowledge you gained in the classroom. This is useful for courses that you are very interested in, or for mastery of subjects that are necessary for your academic or occupational goals. How to do this is explained in the following paragraphs.
It is relatively easy to apply the natural learning process to mathematics, physics, or any subject that involves paper and pencil problem solving. This simply involves solving many problems, over a period of weeks or months. This can be coupled with self-study from books or the Internet.
The natural learning process can be easily applied to courses that involve the computer. This can involve practicing with software, or creating your own software. Trial and error learning is especially useful for developing any type of skills with the computer. This should be coupled with various types of self-study, such as from instruction manuals, YouTube videos, and articles on the web.
With writing courses, the practice can involve writing about your favorite subject, or personal experiences. Ideally, you should have someone that can evaluate your writing, or at the very least read it to see if others can understand your work.
For subjects that you are skillful with, you can apply the natural learning process, by working as a tutor or teacher. Tutors are often needed for mathematics, physics, and English composition. Some students at the graduate level might be qualified for teaching a college-level course.
Concluding Remarks on the Natural Learning Process, And the Classroom Learning Process
The ideas to keep in mind, is the natural learning process includes learning by doing, or learning by experience, as well as various types of self-study. You must do something with the material you learn, if you want to retain it, to develop it, and to become skillful in applying it.
In the conventional college classroom, your final grade is likely to be greatly influenced by how carefully you focused your study time and efforts. The focus must be on the material the instructor deems to be important, which is usually the material that will be on the examinations.
A careful focus of study time and effort is especially important for students that do not do an adequate level of homework. This may help them get a passing grade on the examinations. Students that invest an adequate amount of time and effort in their studies will probably receive high grades, with the above strategy.
1) Video: Strategy For Learning Fast - Tony Robbins, 2) Video: Right Brain Math: Times Table Overview & Fun Factor Sets, 3) Video: Language Learning Strategies: Part 1, 4) Language Learning Strategies: Part 2, 5) Video: Modern Education - Natural Learning, Changing Our Perspective: Glenn Knockwood at TEDxNovaScotia, 6) Video: How Students Learn: Strategies for Teaching from the Psychology of Learning, 7) Video: Psychology - Learning ( Definition, Aspects and Types ), 8) Videos: Natural Learning Research Institute, 9) Video and text: E-learning, 10) Advantages & Disadvantages of Different Learning Styles, 11) The Role of Active Learning in College, 12) Learning in College, 13)Cooperative Learning Returns To College: What Evidence Is There That It Works?, 14) COOPERATIVE LEARNING IN POST SECONDARY EDUCATION: IMPLICATIONS FROM SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY FOR ACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, 15) The following is from a video search engine, which contains over 3,000 videos on learning strategies and related concepts
www.Mashpedia.com/Learning_Strategies Note the videos are on over 50 webpages. To go from one webpage to another, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click on
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Chapter 16) School Based Learning, and Acquiring Skills and Knowledge Outside of the Classroom
To Access Additional Information with Hyperlinks.
Learning in Everyday Life, and Learning in the Classroom, What is the Difference
Learning in Everyday Life, the Natural Learning Process
A Detailed Description of the Natural Learning Process
The Classroom Learning Process, as it Takes Place in the Typical College Course
Applying the Natural Learning Process to the Material You Learned in the Classroom
Concluding Remarks on the Natural Learning Process, And the Classroom Learning Process
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