How YOU view and define learning tremendously impacts how you educate your kids.
In this article, I’ll discuss different ideas about learning and why it matters for your family. Also, we’ll look at the definition and history of the word learn. It’s time to examine how your beliefs about learning influence your children.
p.s. Whether you homeschool your kids or not, the article, videos, and podcast episodes below will be beneficial.
Definitions of Learning, Teaching, Education, and School: Exploring Their Meanings
When crafting this article, I intended to ask, “What do you believe about education? However, as I defined ‘school‘ and ‘education,’ it became apparent that these words are frequently used interchangeably. In fact, ‘school’ and ‘education’ have become nearly synonymous in meaning.
In a society where the terms education and school are often used interchangeably, it’s clear that the term learning is often associated with school. Additionally, learning is frequently linked with teaching. In this article, I will help you differentiate learning, teaching, school, and education so you can more effectively homeschool your children.
As parents and educators, it becomes pivotal to untangle these concepts. By separating these words, you’ll discover a shift in your perspective about how your child learns and, ultimately, about homeschooling. This separation allows you to open your mind about different homeschooling styles and will allow you to educate your children more effectively.
How I Help Parents
Before proceeding, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Jackie, and I’m the founder of HomeSchool ThnkTank. I’m a licensed teacher, certified life coach, homeschool consultant, and long-time homeschooling mom.
Each week, I share information designed to inspire and inform homeschooling parents. From parenting tips to educational resources, you’ll receive information that will help you succeed at homeschooling your kids.
Take a moment to sign up for HomeSchool ThinkTank Happenings here.
Watch the Video: Let’s Define Learning
Exploring the Meaning of Learning, Education, School, and Teaching
Here at HomeSchool ThinkTank, we believe that school and education have distinct meanings. Just as it is essential to differentiate between school and education, the concept of learning can and should be distinguished in its own right.
Let’s start by understanding that learning can happen anywhere and anytime.
Know that a person can learn and acquire an excellent education outside of the school environment. On the other hand, it is equally important to realize that there are instances where learning within a school setting is advantageous to children.
What Is Learning?
Take a moment to consider what it means to learn.
Reflect on how YOUR education and experiences have shaped YOUR beliefs about learning.
Your convictions about how children learn and the education they need play a significant role in shaping your family’s dynamics.
It’s essential to be aware of YOUR beliefs about how children learn because YOUR thoughts will impact nearly every aspect of your children’s formative years.
13 Questions to Discover YOUR Best Learning Style
Take a moment to ponder the following questions:
- How do you learn best? Consider this open-ended question.
- What are your interests? Contemplate what you enjoy doing.
- How do you learn the things you need to know? Consider the things you must know to navigate life effectively.
- Where do you have the most fun learning? At home, in the library, at school, in a coffee shop, or out and about in the real world.
- How do you like learning? Whether you prefer to learn in a traditional school setting, through online courses, watching videos, reading books, having hands-on experiences, or having conversations is a personal preference.
- When do you learn best? Mornings, afternoons, or evenings?
- Do you learn better alone or with others? Do you prefer to study alone or in a group setting?
- Which learning styles do you prefer? Listen to this podcast episode about kinesthetic, visual, and auditory learning styles.
- When have you learned the most? Why did you learn so much from this experience?
- Do you enjoy teaching others? People often learn the most when sharing their ideas, skills, and knowledge.
- Why do you enjoy learning? Maybe you prefer to learn as a way to achieve a goal, or perhaps you prefer to learn for the enjoyment of acquiring new knowledge and skills.
- If you don’t enjoy learning, ask yourself, “Why?” Consider how previous experiences have impacted your desire to learn.
- How could you make learning more enjoyable for yourself? Whether you already enjoy learning or haven’t had great experiences around intentional education – frequently school – consider how you could alter and enrich your educational experiences.
What Have You Always Wanted to Learn?
Now, take a moment to consider your preferred learning style. Think about something you’ve always wanted to learn. Envision the learning process as something personal, detached from grades or degrees. How would you approach acquiring this new information or skill? How could you become a better learner?
Traditional Schooling vs Authentic Learning
Have you ever paused to reflect on the true essence of learning? If not, now is the time to explore how humans acquire knowledge. It’s also important to consider how we develop mental processes, critical thinking skills, and social abilities.
Consider this:
- How can you tell when your child has truly mastered a concept?
- Is following a traditional school-at-home model necessary for your children to experience authentic learning?
As a society, we’ve been taught to believe that learning mainly takes place within the walls of a school. We’ve also been conditioned to think that an A+ grade equates to a complete understanding of the material.
But is that true?
Discover Your Child’s Best Learning Style
Just as you reflected on your learning preferences, it’s important to consider each of your children’s unique learning styles. Start by simply observing them in their everyday activities.
- Do they prefer being alone, with a small group of friends, or in larger groups?
- What sparks their curiosity and holds their interest?
- Are they drawn to reading, writing, experimenting, or discussing ideas?
- When do they seem to learn best?
- Where do they like to spend their time – indoors, outdoors, in their room, with the family, or on their own?
- Do your children take the initiative to learn new things independently or wait for guidance?
- When your child struggles with learning, what’s the underlying cause?
By staying observant, you’ll begin to notice key patterns that reveal how your children learn best. With this insight, you’ll be well-equipped to create an environment that nurtures and enhances their learning experience.
How Kids Learn: Play-Based Learning with Dr. Peter Gray
How Do YOU Define Learning?
What is your personal definition of learning? Does it align with the way you’re currently educating your child?
If you’re following a traditional school-at-home model, do you genuinely believe it’s the best way for your child to learn?
Before we explore the modern definition of learning and its evolution, take a moment to reflect on what learning means to you. Ultimately, you’re examining your core beliefs about how people learn.
Define Learn
The summarized meaning of ‘learn‘ is to acquire knowledge, understanding, or skills, often through studying, instruction, experiences, or hearing about something. Below is the precise definition of the word learn.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary Definition of Learn
- verb: a1) to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience; a2) memorize; b) to come to be able; c) to come to realize
- verb: a) nonstandard: teach b) obsolete : to inform of something
- verb: to come to know: hear
- intransitive verb: to acquire knowledge or skill or a behavioral tendency
Note: Further down this page, we’ll examine the history of the word learn.
The Definition of Learning: Exploring What It Means to Learn
Does the dictionary definition of “learning” match your personal understanding of the word?
Today, learning is often defined as the process of acquiring knowledge, understanding, or skills. What’s fascinating is the wide range of methods through which one can achieve this – whether through studying, receiving instruction, gaining hands-on experience, or simply hearing about something.
School & Educate Are NOT Part of the Definition of Learning
It’s important to note that the terms ‘school’ and ‘educate’ are absent from the definition of learning.
This distinction matters because formal schooling isn’t always required for effective learning.
Teach Is NOT Used to Define Learn
Similarly, the word ‘teach’ is not included in the definition of learning.
While teachers, books, videos, and other resources can be valuable, much of learning happens through hands-on experience.
In essence, a teacher isn’t always necessary for learning to take place.
Learning Comes From Within Oneself
In summary, the words ‘school,’ ‘educate,’ and ‘teach’ are absent from the definition of ‘learn.’ This observation underscores the idea that learning is an internal process.
While teachers, parents, and coaches can strive to educate a child, they cannot learn for the child. The genuine desire to learn must come from within the learner.
Whether the motivation to learn is external or internal, authentic learning occurs when there’s an internal drive to acquire knowledge or skills.
You Have the Power to Shape Your Child’s Lifelong Learning Journey
Sometimes, you’ll take on the role of a teacher. At other times, your child will learn from various sources -books, videos, tutors, classes, and real-world experiences.
Building essential skills and fostering a love for lifelong learning can profoundly enrich your child’s life. However, enrolling them in a traditional public school isn’t always necessary for a well-rounded education. In many cases, alternative approaches like experiential learning prove to be more effective.
As a homeschooling parent, you serve as your child’s educational guide. By creating an engaging learning environment and sparking a lasting curiosity for knowledge, you can set the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Listen to This Podcast Episode About Learning Styles
The Etymology of Learn: What Learn Used to Mean
Below is the historical background of the word learn based on the definition in the Online Etymology Dictionary. Please note that most details about the word’s origin have been excluded to concentrate on the definition.
- “to get knowledge, be cultivated; study, read, think about.”
- “to learn,” Gothic lais “I know,” with a base sense of “to follow or find the track, “furrow, track.”
- It is related to German Gleis “track,” and to Old English læst “sole of the foot” (see last (n.1)).
Exploring a word’s etymology, or its historical origin and development, provides valuable insights into its present-day usage. This holds when examining the history of the word learn.
Interesting Facts About the Word Learn
- From c. 1200, as “to hear of, ascertain.”
- Transitive use (He learned me (how) to read), now considered vulgar (except in reflexive expressions, I learn English), was acceptable from c. 1200 until early 19c. It is preserved in past-participle adjective learned, “having knowledge gained by study.” Old English also had læran “to teach” (see lere). Related: Learning.
Learn vs. Teach
In the past, the word learn encompassed both the acts of learning and teaching.
In today’s context, learning suggests a person’s knowledge, skill, or understanding is increasing.
Conversely, teaching implies the act of causing, guiding, conducting, instructing, or imparting knowledge, consequences, actions, or attitudes upon someone else.
Learning & Teaching are Different.
A teacher may teach, but a student may not learn what is taught.
History of Learn vs. Present Use of Learn
At first glance, the definition of the word learn appears unchanged over thousands of years. However, two notable differences exist in its historical usage compared to the current word usage.
- The word follow has been dropped from the definition.
- Another clear distinction is that while the terms knowledge and study are present in both historical and contemporary definitions, the words cultivated, read, and think were exclusively used in earlier definitions.
What do you think of this modification in the definition?
HomeSchool ThinkTank’s Definition of Learning
After reviewing various dictionary definitions and reading a substantial amount about learning, the following is how HomeSchool ThinkTank has defined learning.
2018-2024+. HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
2018-2024+. HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.