Chapter 1: Learner-Centered Psychological Principles
Introduction
Psychology plays a very important role in understanding the teaching and learning
process. Many innovations in the learning process have been made possible because of
the contributions of psychology. Psychology is a branch of science that studies human
behavior, and helps educators and teachers to understand the nature of diversity of
learners. psychology have helped immensely in understanding the nature of the human
being. Teaching strategies are made more appropriate for every learner.
LESSON 1 Learning Principles Associated to Cognitive, Metacognitive,
Motivational, and Affective Factors
1. The learning of complicated subject matter is most effective when it is an intentional
process of constructing meaning from information and experience. Teachers play a
significant role in guiding their learners to become active, goal-directed, and self-
regulating, and to assume personal responsibility for their learning. Whenever teachers
plan their lessons and topics, they always need to consider how they can bring reality in
the classroom.
2. The successful learner, over time and with support and instructional guidance, can
create meaningful, coherent representations of knowledge. Learners need to be goal-
directed. Teachers have to guide learners in terms of determining their personal soals,
They need to set their goals, not dictated by others, to ensure ther willingness to achieve
them.
3. The successful learner can link new information with existing knowledge in
meaningful ways. In planning a new lesson to be presented, teachers would usually find it
more effective when they connect the learners' existing knowledge to new information.
new knowledge is created from old knowledge is the very heart of constructivism.
Teachers should initiate more opportunities for learners to share ideas, experiences,
observations, and readings.
4. The successful learner can create and use a repertoire of thinking and reasoning
strategies to achieve complex learning goals. Strategie thinking is a person's ability to use
knowledge in different ways to solve problems, address concerns and issues, decrease
difficulties in certain situations, and make sound decisions and judgments in varied
conditions.
5. One of the most challenging roles of the teachers is to develop among their learners'
higher order thinking skills (HOTS). It means that their learners can do evaluation,
synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of varied concepts, information, and knowledge.
6. Learning is influenced by environmental factors, including culture, technology, and
instructional practices. Learning does not only take place inside the classroom. Much of
what learners learn in the classroom with their teachers can only have meaning once they
see them concretely in their everyday life.
Motivational and Affective Factors
1. . What and how much are learned are influenced by the learner's motivation.
Motivation to learn is influenced by the individual is important role in learning interests
a goals, and habits of thinking.
2. There are two kinds of motivation-intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic
motivation is manifested when an individual engages in an activity or task that is
personally gratifying. It is personally rewarding, and there is no expectation for any
external or tangible reward. Extrinsic motivation, meanwhile, is its direct opposite. A
person engages in a task or activity to earn external rewards or to avoid punishments in
some situations.
3. The learner' motivation to learn is also partnered by their extended efforts. Teachers
facilitate learning opportunities and experiences that encourage learners to exert time and
effort and at the same time commitment and enthusiasm toward a task they have to do.
Experience
Earners acquire knowledge and skills from the experiences that they actively engage in.
This scenario demands the teachers to be in an active role as well to effect the intended
positive changes to the learners. Initially, teachers' awareness of students' background or
characteristics is vital input in instructional design. Common experiences shared by
teachers in seminars and trainings reveal the varied methodologies and strategies they
have proven in their action researches to be effective.
Lesson 2; Learning Principles on Development, Social, and Individual Differences
1. As individuals develop, there are different opportunities and constraints for
learning. Learning is most effective when differential development within and across
physical, intellectual, emotional, and social domains is taken into account.
2. Learning is influenced by social interactions, interpersonal relations, and
communication with others. Collaboration is a 21st century skill. All learners should
learn the skill of working with others in an instructional setting. This ability will prepare
them for the real world where they are expected to interact effectively to a community of
diverse people.
3. Learners have different strategies, approaches, and capabilities for learning that are a
function of prior experience and heredity. Diversity is a natural part of life. The learning
environment is the best example where diversity is manifested between and among
learners. Each learner has his or her learning style, intelligence, potential, skills, talents,
and learning preferences.
4. Multicultural teaching encourages teachers to consider their learners' linguistic,
cultural, and social backgrounds. Language can be a barrier in learning when learners
cannot express themselves properly and when the learning material is not also related to
their social context.
5. Assessment and evaluation are essential parts of the teaching and learning process. The
results of assessments conducted are used to gauge the learners' strengths, weaknesses,
limitations, and areas of difficulties. Teachers can also determine what kind of support
and scaffold the learners need.
