On How Learning Happens - 7
Ausubel's Theory of Learning
One of the ways to look at how learning happens is look at it as the result of “building connections” between what we already know and the new ideas that we are learning.
This is where David Ausubel comes in. Back in 1960s, he stated, “the most important single factor influencing learning is what the learner already knows.”
Great.
But if “prior knowledge” is the basis for any new learning, is there a way to sequence the teaching and learning process?
Ausubel suggests: The sequence of going from General to Specific.
And this is where I add my own tweak to the sequence.
General to Specific to General
Abstract to Concrete to Abstract
Whole to Parts to Whole
Big Picture to Concrete Details to Big Picture
(I might have come to this tweak after reading John Medina’s Brain Rules. One of the fascinating ideas in the book is: Meaning before Details. Then I started seeing this idea almost everywhere.)
There’s a small caveat. This works well with subjects that are hierarchical in nature.
If it helps, here’s my handwritten note. I like writing these because (for me) this helps in more retention.
I will break this down with a few subject specific concrete examples in other posts.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out the previous posts on “On How Learning Happens” series.
