LEARNING SKILLS

WHAT IS
LEARNING?

John P Deccan
defines
Leaning results
Learning is the
learning as
in modification
process of
mental activity
of behaviour.
growth and
by means of
Learning is
development,
which
relatively a
where by the
knowledge,
permanent
learner
skills, attitudes
change in
acquires a body
& ideas are
behaviour as a
of knowledge,
acquired
result of
develops skills
resulting in
reinforced
& knowledge.
modification of
practices.
behaviour.

PERCEIVIN
G

FEEDBACK

LEARNI
NG
PROCES
S

DECIDING

ACTING

The 21st century learning skills are often called the 4 Cs:
critical thinking, creative thinking, communicating and
collaborating. These skills help students learn and so they
are vital to success in school and beyond.

CRITI
CAL
THINK
ING

Critical thinking is focused, careful analysis of something to better

understand it. When people speak of left brain activity, they are usually
referring to critical thinking. Here are some of the main critical thinking
abilities:

breaking something down

into its parts, examining
each part and noting how
the parts ft together

Analyzi
ng

 determining why something is happening

and what results from it.

telling what something is or how it works so

that others can understand it.

Problem
solving
Tracking
cause and
efect
Describing

explaining the traits of something, such as

size, shape, weight, color, use, origin, value,
condition, location, and so on

Evaluating

deciding on the worth of something by

comparing it against an accepted standard
of value

Explaining

telling what something is or how it works so

that others can understand it.

Arguing

using a series of statements connected

logically together, backed by evidence to
reach a conclusion

Classifying

identifying the types or groups of

something, showing how each category is
distinct from the others

Comparing
and
contrasting

pointing out similarities and diferences

between two or more subjects

Defning

explaining the meaning of a term using

denotation, connotation, example,
etymology, synonyms and antonyms

Problem
Solving

requires using many of the creative abilities listed here to

fgure out possible solutions and putting one or more of
them into action
something means fipping it to get a new perspective,
perhaps by redefning givens, reversing cause and efect,
or looking at something in a brand new way

Questioning

actively reaches into what is unknown to make it known,

seeking information or a new way to do something

Overturning
Improvising

a solution involves using something in a novel way to solve a

problem

Innovating

creating something that hasnt existed before, whether an

object, a procedure, or an idea

ideas involves reaching into the unknown and impossible,

perhaps idly or with great focus, as Einstein did with his
thought experiments

Imagining
Designing

something means fnding the conjunction between form and

function and shaping materials for a specifc purpose

Entertaining

others involves telling stories, making jokes, singing songs,

playing games, acting out parts, and making conversation

something requires forming it by combining materials,

perhaps according to a plan or perhaps based on the
impulse of the moment.
ideas involves asking a question and rapidly listing all
answers, even those that are far-fetched, impractical, or
impossible

Creating
Brainstormin
g

CREAT
IVE
THINK
ING

Creative thinking is expansive, open-ended invention and discovery of

possibilities. When people speak of right brain activity, they most often mean
creative thinking. Here are some of the more common creative thinking
abilities:

COMM
UNICA
TING

Analyzing the situation means thinking about the subject, purpose, sender, receiver, medium,
and context of a message.
Choosing a medium involves deciding the most appropriate way to deliver a message, ranging
from a face-to-face chat to a 400-page report.
Evaluating messages means deciding whether they are correct, complete, reliable, authoritative,
and up-to-date.
Following conventions means communicating using the expected norms for the medium
chosen.
Listening actively requires carefully paying attention, taking notes, asking questions, and
otherwise engaging in the ideas being communicated.
Reading is decoding written words and images in order to understand what their originator is
trying to communicate.
Speaking involves using spoken words, tone of voice, body language, gestures, facial
expressions, and visual aids in order to convey ideas.
Turn taking means effectively switching from receiving ideas to providing ideas, back and forth
between those in the communication situation.
Using technology requires understanding the abilities and limitations of any technological
communication, from phone calls to e-mails to instant messages.
Writing involves encoding messages into words, sentences, and paragraphs for the purpose of
communicating to a person who is removed by distance, time, or both.

COLL
ABOR
ATING

Allocating
resources
responsibilities
ensures that all
members of a team
can work optimally

Decision
s requires sorting
makingthrough the many

options provided to the

group and arriving at a
single option to move
forward

Brainstorm
ing ideas involves rapidly
suggesting and writing
down ideas without
pausing to critique
them

Delegati
ng assigning duties to

members of the group

and expecting them to
fulfll their parts of the
task

Resolving conficts

Managing time

cooperativel
y working
over time to
achieve a
common
goal

Teambuilding

occurs from
using one of
the following
strategies:
asserting,
cooperating,
compromisin
g,
competing,
or deferring

c re a tin g a n
e n v iro n m e n t
in w h ic h a ll
m e m b e rs c a n
c o n trib u te
a c c o rd in g to
th e ir a b ilitie s

Leading a
group

involves
matching up
a list of
tasks to a
schedule
and tracking
the progress
toward goals

G oal setting

re q u ire s th e
g ro u p to
a n a ly z e th e
s itu a tio n ,
d e c id e w h a t
o u tc o m e is
d e s ire d , a n d
c le a rly s ta te
an
a c h ie v a b le
o b je c tiv e

Evaluating

p ro d u c ts ,
p ro c e s s e s ,
and
m e m b e rs o f
th e g ro u p
p ro v id e s a
c le a r s e n s e
o f w h a t is
w o rk in g w e ll
and what
im p ro v e m e n t
s c o u ld b e
m ade

T
HE
THE
IM
P O RTA N C E O
F
IMPORTANCE
OF
LE
A R N IN G
LEARNING
S
K ILL S
SKILLS

B
e m
o re
Be
more
p
ro d u c tiv e
productive
In
c re a se
Increase
a
c h ie v e m e n t
achievement
B
e m
o re c
re a tiv e
Be
more
creative
Im
p ro v e p
ro b le m
Improve
problem
so
lv in g
solving
M
a ke b
e tte r
Make
better
d
e c is io n s
decisions
Le
a rn m
o re
Learn
more
e
f e c tiv e ly
efectively

BASIC OF LEARNING SKILLS

VISUAL LEARNERS
The Observer
Watches what goes on; wants to see things
Remembers visual images
Likes shapes, colors, patterns, maps, pictures,
diagrams
Can recall words after seeing them
Doesnt like lectures
Daydreams a word, sound, smell causes one
to remember something, mind wanders
Can describe the details of a scene very well

The Reader
Would rather learn by reading, not listening
Reads during free time; reading material always
available
Magazine subscriptions, book clubs
Would rather see new information in print
Studies by looking at text quickly
Excellent memory of material that has been read
Good at homework assignments
Prefers to study alone
Remembers addresses or phone numbers
better if they see it in writing
Likes to work on puzzles and workbooks

AUDITORY LEARNERS

The Listener
Prefers lectures to reading assignments

Good at remembering verbal directions

and instructions

Likes listening to stories, poems, music

and tapes
Does not like taking notes or writing things down

Often repeats what has just been saidtalks

to self
Talks under breathno one else can hear
Often moves lips while reading
Likes to study with noise or music going
Usually has a good ear for music
Likes attending plays, music events

The Talker
Would rather talk about ideas

Often repeats or restates out loud what has

just been said

Ask immediately after an assignment is

given, Whats our assignment?

Remembers an address or phone number

by saying it out loud

Often needs to think out loudthoughts

must come out of mouth
Needs a chance to think about what was learned
Likes brainstorming
Likes performing
Likes social activities, parties

TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNERS
Tactile: Touching
A toucher; hugger
In touch with self and feelings
Needs to touch, handle, work with materials and
objectsespecially while studying or listening
Good at drawing designs
Often doodles while listening
Often hugs self while listening or thinking
strokes hands or arms or clothing
Likes computers
Stands close during conversation
Often adventurers, hikers, joggers

Kinesthetic: Movement of Muscles

The Doer
Needs to get up and move around often in order
to understand information
Reads with finger or a card under words,
underlines
Talks with hands, whole body
Good at reading body language
Likes charades, acting
Good at sports, mechanics, using tools
Nondesk types