3 - The Process of Learning

Learning progress is slow at first because the learner is just entering a new area of skills and concepts. You can certainly identify with that notion when you think back to the first time you attempted a skill or began studying a new topic. You may have been afraid, bewildered, and frustrated all at the same time.

Then, the rate of learning accellerates as the learner becomes comfortable with the learning material. The learning process slows when the learner reaches mastery; previous learning is consolidated and refined in the final stage. The learner reaches a point of saturation after absorbing a great deal of content on a particular topic. The learner becomes very knowledgeable.

 

The Learning Curve and Plateaus

That one’s progress in learning can be quite irregular is easily shown on graphs. On a certain day an individual might not have a good learning record for a variety of reasons. The learning path itself is not smooth. Some concepts are connected quickly and smoothly; others take longer. Sometimes the learner may not be able to give full concentration to the material at hand for some reason. A plateau is a period of little or no noticeable progress in learning. A great deal of learning may occur both before and after the plateau. Plateaus are temporary standstills in the learning process. Sometimes a rest period may be helpful. A plateau can be the stepping stone to future learning.

learning curve graphs

Plateaus occur for several reasons. The learner becomes bored or loses interest after the initial excitement of a new topic. The learner may make a change in the earlier work or study procedures, which may cause a loss in learning progress for a while. If a learner does not have a good background in the original concepts, a plateau will likely occur. Anxiety in the learning situation cause tension that may lead to a plateau.