Learning

By observation what we have learnt in our lives ,we can understand what learning is .Learning can be defined as the process of acquiring a permanent changes in behaviour.There are two important points to be taken into account:
1. Learning is a process.
2. It makes a permanent changes in behaviour.
Learning is process.There are several steps in the learning process and these are highly interrelated.Therefore, the learner has to pass several steps before arriving at a permanent change in behaviour.There are several theories , which explain this process , and each theory looks at learning in different ways.You will be familiar with these theories and their differences later in this session.
As mentioned earlier , the most important aspect of learning is a permanent change in behaviour.If changes is temporary , it will not be considered as an outcome of the learning process.Change in behaviour should be permanent at least till the condition under which the learner has learnt exist.To understand what is meant by "permanent change in behaviour " , assume you are working in an organization where smoking is prohibited and that you have been punished for smoking.If you will nor smoke again in this organization , it can be said that learning has taken place.Because it is a permanent change in your behaviour under the conditions , which you have to work. Now you think that you get a new job in another organization where smoking is not prohibited , and you start smoking again. Can we say that the former condition does not apply?certainly not. Because the above condition is not applicable to the new organization.If you continue smoking in the new organization , it can be said that new learning has taken place.