Learning

Learning is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as: "the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something : the activity of someone who learns." Learning happens on all levels of development and builds upon itself. In the same way that skills such as mathematics are learned, critical thinking, problem-solving, scientific inquiry, motor skills, attitudes/values, interpersonal and social skills are all learned and impact the ability of the learner to learn.

Learning is the process by which organisms develop a lasting adaptive knowledge or behavior change as a result of experience. Learning can happen through casual experiences and as a result of direct conditioning or being taught. It is a response of external inputs and the internalization of these inputs. In this way, learning is an active process; learners build knowledge based on interactions with new phenomena (knowledge, conversation, experiences, engagement with concepts and peers, observations) and connect these with their prior understanding.

More complex ideas require more motivation and engagement from the learner in order to be maintained and understood. Learning can be measured by the learner's ability to deeply understand, translate, and apply acquired knowledge or skills to new concepts and skills. There are many different learning styles and teaching techniques. Though a widely accepted model for learning styles was identified in "Not Another Inventory, Rather a Catalyst for Reflection" by Neil D. Mills and Colleen Fleming (1992). According to Mills and Fleming, there are four core types of learning styles, referred to as the VARK model: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic (hands-on).