IndexWhat is learning? (essay) Individual Learning Differences Conclusion Works Cited The learning process is an ongoing lifelong journey. As Alvin Toffler once said, “learning is like paddling against the current; not advancing means retreating,” and this couldn't be more true. Learning is a crucial aspect of life that allows us to grow and develop as individuals. It is not limited only to the academic context but extends to various aspects of life, such as personal experiences and professional commitments. Scholars and educators have conducted extensive research to develop innovative approaches to improve our understanding and retention of knowledge. Therefore, it is essential to write an essay on learning in life to recognize its importance and explore its impact on personal growth and development. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayWhat is learning? (essay)Learning is a broad term that is used to define the acquisition of obtaining, absorbing and understanding new or additional knowledge that changes our behaviors, skills and understanding. We are constantly learning at all stages of our lives; from infancy where we learn to move, grasp and make sounds, to our childhood when we develop our vocabulary, begin to write and solve problems, and into our adolescence and adulthood where we become capable of abstract thoughts and processing complex ideas. When we learn we are advancing biologically, psychologically, and emotionally as a response to acquiring new knowledge and information that affects how we express and understand our emotions, interactions, and moral values. The term epistemology is used to describe the study of the acquisition of knowledge in consideration of the ways and categories in which it is processed and organized in our memory. To learn and process knowledge we must be able to store and access information in our long-term memory by understanding the information and its components. Our long-term memory is divided into two parts; declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge, where our declarative memory is general knowledge about the world, facts and personal experiences, while our procedural memory is our skills and abilities. In childhood education we are taught how to process information so that it can be stored and accessed logically through how we classify things into subjunctive concepts. The subjunctive concepts of knowledge interpretation are based on the structure of coherent rules that apply to information allowing us to determine its class based on the characteristics it possesses. An example of a subjunctive concept is the term "sister". For someone to be classified as a sister, they must have all the attributes of this concept, be a female, and be a sibling of the subject. Comparing this to a disjunctive concept whereby something is characterized by different attributes that may or may not share commonalities, for example a girl with blue eyes and a girl with brown eyes. In this example the concept of "girl" is shared, however the eye color attribute is different. Another example of a subjunctive concept is a shape with 4 sides and 4 angles. This shape, we know, is classified as a quadrilateral. The disjunctive information in this example would include information such as saying that the quadrilateral is blue. If I said that the sides of the quadrilateral are all the samelength, a student might make the subjunctive decision that the quadrilateral is in fact a square. Throughout the learning process, the pedagogy used by a teacher in the classroom may include many attributes considered critical to learning and knowledge acquisition or non-critical in the sense that a concept may be present, however it does not determine the outcome of that that is taught. An example of a critical concept when determining an object is for students to look at what factors distinguish a bird, such as feathers, wings, and beak. In addition to these critical factors it could be said that the bird has blue feathers and can fly or swim. This secondary information is considered non-critical as it is not what constitutes a bird, it is just additional information that is not necessarily specific to all birds. Concept development is an important aspect of learning as it helps in understanding generalizations. By having these specific rules to follow and respect, students are able to categorize things into groups and understand the relationships between them based on what they share in common. Basic concepts such as numbers, shapes, and characteristics of objects are stored in our long-term memory and help retain and implement new knowledge. Individual Learning Differences As mentioned above, when we learn we are advancing biologically, psychologically, and emotionally. This development is orderly, coherent and is influenced by external inputs not only from our teachers, parents and peers, but also from the surrounding environment. Learning in its early stages begins in the home context with parents and siblings, and not all homes work the same. In many cases children, especially in highly populated multicultural areas such as Sydney, do not have English as their first or only language and do not necessarily come from the same cultural background as all other students in their peer group. In the classroom, these children may have more difficulty understanding the content or interacting with the information provided. It is important to ensure that the teaching strategy is beneficial to all students, with easily identifiable examples for all, and that support services are available to ensure that students understand all content and do not fall behind. Critical attributes that influence learning in a classroom context are necessary aspects for learning to take place. Such attributes include but are not limited to having a responsive and knowledgeable teacher who adapts ideas and strategies to provide the most beneficial learning experience for all students, having a sustainable working environment, access to resources such as pencils, pens, paper and books, have access to help and support, and a safe space where students are encouraged to learn and ask questions. Aspects of a classroom or learning space, such as bright images and information decorating the walls, are considered non-critical to learning and overall achievement and in some cases may cause attention disorders. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom EssayConclusionTo conclude, learning is a complex process of obtaining and understanding new knowledge that changes what we already know. It is influenced by many external factors that can affect an individual's attention, confidence and overall outcome of his or her education. Works CitedToffler, A. (n.d.). Alvin Toffler Quotes. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2701.Alvin_TofflerMcLeod, S. (2018). What is learning? Simply psychology. Extracted from (1986)..