11a.1: Summarise theories about how children learn.
Learning theories are an organised set of principles explaining how individuals acquire, retain and recall knowledge. There are three learning theories which are:
Behaviorism
Behaviorism stems from the work of B.F Skinner and the concept of operant conditioning. Behaviorism theorists believe that knowledge exists independently and outside of people. They view the learner s a blank slate who must be provided the experience. Behaviorists believe that learning occurs when new behaviors or changes in behaviors are developed through associations between responses. Therefore, association leads to change in behavior.
Cognitivism
Cognitive information processing stems from the work of jean piaget. Cognitive information processing is created on the thought procedure behind the behavior. The theory is based on the idea that humans process the information they receive, rather than just responding to incentives. The changes in behavior are observed, but only as an indicator to what is going on in the learner’s head. The students mind is like a mirror from which new knowledge and skills will be reflected. Cognitive information processing is used when the learner plays an active role in seeking ways to understand and process information that they receive and relate it to what is already known and stored within memory.
Constructivism
Constructivism is based on the foundation that we all construct our own perspective of the world, based on individual experiences and interior knowledge. Learning is based on how the individual understands and creates the meaning of their experiences. Knowledge is constructed by the learner and since everybody has a different set of experiences and insights, learning is unique and different for each person.
11a.2: Explain the differences between learning, learning potential and educational.
Learning is the development of knowledge or skills through study and experience. Learning potential is a measure of what a child can do and learning when a child has access to teaching, subject, health and other resources. It is what children could achieve when they are given the best opportunities to learn. Education is the process of receiving or giving organized instruction, especially at a school or university. Therefore, all the activities are interlinked and there is not much difference between them.
11a.3: Describe how life experiences and other factors can make it difficult for children and young people in residential childcare to engage with learning
Life experiences can have a major effect on the young person’s learning. This could be due to several reasons; firstly, past negative experiences within education could have a huge negative impact on the young person’s confidence, resulting in them not fully engaging in lessons and being anxious about sitting in lessons with peers. Another reason could be due to not attending school in the young person’s early years. This could have a negative effect on the young person as they are behind in their learning and may not be learning at their required age.
11a.4: Explain how understanding the circumstances of the child or young person can influence strategies to support their learning.
By understanding the young person’s circumstances, staff members from both education and care can work together to plan and support the individual’s needs. Within Wings Notts, a therapeutic team is available as well to help support staff members in devising a plan that will work for the individual as well as staff members working closely with the young person. Good communication between everyone involved is crucial in the development of the young person. Staff members can tailor their approach, curriculum, group size etc. to the needs of the young person and this is all based on the information recognized from the young person’s past circumstances.
11a.5: Describe aspects of the physical environment known to be conducive to children and young people’s learning.
The term physical environment refers to the overall design and layout of a classroom and its learning hubs. Teachers should design the environment by organizing its spaces, furnishings, and materials to maximize the learning opportunities and the engagement of every child. To effectively do so, teachers can apply a concept known as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which stresses that the environment and its materials in it should be accessible to everyone. Creating this accessibility might involve providing books at different reading levels, placing materials within easy reach on a shelf, or creating ample space so that a child who uses a wheelchair can maneuver around the classroom.
