FACTORS AFFECTING LEARNING
Learning is efficient when what is to be learnt can easily be retained and recalled. Experience and experiments by Psychologists have brought out the following factors that can influence the rate and efficiency of the learning process:-
Click here to Download the complete PDF
1) Motivation
The greater and clearer one's motive to learn, the stronger will be the effort and interest shown by him in learning it. This gives room for a more permanent learning to take place. There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. With the former, the individual learns because he likes it and he learns better. In the extrinsic motivation, one has the urge to learn by other forces but not his wish. In this case, the learning is not as effective as the intrinsic one.
2) Intelligence
Effective learning can not take place without intelligence. This is because, it is this assert which makes an individual to understand things, see relationships between things, reasons, judges correctly and critically.
3) Maturation
Learning can take place only after the individual has attained both physical and psychological maturity to understand the topic. A child for example has to first develop muscles in order to enable him to learn how to run.
4) The Physical Condition of the Learner
The physical condition of the learner is also an important factor in learning. Sensory defects especially of the eyes, ears and fatigue are some of the physical handicaps that may hinder effective learning.
5) Mental Health of the Learner
Experiments have shown that the mental state of the individual like worries, fears, persistent day-dreams, feelings of loneliness and inferiority militate against learning. If a learner has no self-confidence or self-respect due to the attitudes of his teachers or mates, it affects his ability to learn negatively.
6) Good Physical Working Conditions
The infrastructure of an individual at his work environment has also got a profound impact on learning. These include fresh air, light, comfortable surroundings and absence of distractions which are a great aid in learning effectively.
7) Active Practice and Repetition
This is where the individual is active in the teaching - learning interaction and what is learnt is rehearsed several times after learning.
8) Distributed Learning
The individual is advised to space the learning because the learning capacity decreases with time. Hence after learning for sometime, one has to take a walk or chart for awhile before continuing again.
9) The Teaching Method and Aids
The teaching method and Aids used in the teaching - learning interaction determines also greatly the amount of learning to take place. The learner-centred methods are preferred to the teacher-centred methods in health education (Read on these methods in Health Education books).
10) The Content
For learning to take place effectively, the content of what is to be taught must be relevant to the client, well organized and prepared according to the maturity and educational level of the client.
11) Timing of the Teaching - Learning Experience
The time and length of the health education is very important. It should be at the time the clients are free and more relaxed to listen and can actively take part.
The health education should also come at a time the clients really have the need for it. For example, a talk on cholera will be more appreciated by the client during the time there is an existing or anticipated outbreak.
12) Education and Previous Knowledge
The previous knowledge lays a strong foundation for learning to take place because one can transfer learning. The educational background also affects ones understanding and acceptance of new ideas in health education.
13) The Nature of the Health Educator
The nature of the health educator can also influence the amount of learning the clients can benefit from the education. For the audience to benefit from the health education, the educator must be warm, open and respect the views of the learners. He must also be knowledgeable in the topic and use the appropriate teaching aids, methods and be judicious in the use of reinforcements.
If the learner is given the feedback information on his performance, it can help him to know his performance, it can help him to know his errors and correct them accordingly. It also serves as a motivating factor in learning.