#1 Learning Principle

Q. What is the # 1 Principle of Learning?

#1: Motivation: “Wanting” to learn the skill or information.

If the person is not interested and/or motivated to learn then they will not be open to the process. This is what can be so difficult for teachers. Their students are told what they have to learn and the teacher has set standards to teach to where the student may or may not be interested. This is why I am so adamant about “hooking” the learner by arousing their curiosity.

If the person is already motivated to learn whatever the skill or concept is then of course it’s much easier to keep them engaged.

Example #1: A child or adult that wants to learn how to play soccer will already be motivated and open to the coach’s direction.

Example #2: A child or adult that is told that they “must” learn say, algebra or literature, might be harder to engage so…..

The answer is to engage your student and help open their mind to “wanting” to learn what you are teaching. How can you do this?

1. Be enthusiastic about what you are teaching someone.

2. Have a curiosity stimulating “hook” to help the student become engaged.

3. Show how what they are learning can apply to their lives.

#2: Keeping them Engaged: Ensure that the learner gets to “do” something and not just listen.

1. Whether it’s learning algebra or soccer, one of the important principles of learning is that the student “learns by doing” much more than by any other way. Set up the learning experience so that the student gets to be actively participating fairly quickly and not passively listening or observing for too long.

   
   

2. Follow the, “I do,” “you do with coaching” and then “you try on your own” model. This works well.

#3: Feedback: Needs to be frequent and supportive.

1. People often like online games because they get frequent and supportive feedback. Ensure that the person learning gets this as well. (not papers handed back a week or two later)

   
   

2. The feedback should be clear and supportive.

Final Thought: The #1 principle of learning is that your student wants to learn and is open to input. After that they must interact actively with the information/skill and then get supportive and frequent feedback.