critical issues affecting learning
CRITICAL ISSUES AFFECTING LEARNING
As health care providers we are continuously engaged in teaching, whether our clients, their families, colleagues or within our communities, we are always faced with opportunities to educate the public, and as adult students we are now challenged to expand our knowledge base. Therefore this discussion regarding critical issues affecting learning is of great relevance to us not just as students but as educators within our various fields. There are various issues affecting learning at all levels from primary to tertiary and these can be classified into four groups; physiological, psychological, environmental and teaching methodology (Open University, 2014).
Physiological issues range from general health concerns, like illness to exhaustion. Consider how many students are absent from essential tutorials due to illness, many children especially with chronic illness like asthmatics and even sickle cell anaemia with frequent hospitalizations are often absent from school, thereby hindering the learning process. Additionally, nutritional status must also be considered especially among younger learners, as many children are malnourished either from poverty or unhealthy food choices (UNESCO, 2007).
It has been argued that both thought and emotions play an important role in learning. Additionally, one has to consider the level of anxiety, stress and fear and depression and their negative effects on learning, as many of these things causes the learner to become distracted and preoccupied during lessons. Whilst, positive emotions like, willingness and confidence encourages thinking, and enables the learner to engage in problem solving strategies. Furthermore, the role of motivation as a critical learning issue as it is fundamental to stimulate the learner thereby facilitates the learning activity. It has been proven to aid the student in concentrating on what is being done, thereby ensuring a degree of satisfaction (Hammond, Austine,
As health care providers we are continuously engaged in teaching, whether our clients, their families, colleagues or within our communities, we are always faced with opportunities to educate the public, and as adult students we are now challenged to expand our knowledge base. Therefore this discussion regarding critical issues affecting learning is of great relevance to us not just as students but as educators within our various fields. There are various issues affecting learning at all levels from primary to tertiary and these can be classified into four groups; physiological, psychological, environmental and teaching methodology (Open University, 2014).
Physiological issues range from general health concerns, like illness to exhaustion. Consider how many students are absent from essential tutorials due to illness, many children especially with chronic illness like asthmatics and even sickle cell anaemia with frequent hospitalizations are often absent from school, thereby hindering the learning process. Additionally, nutritional status must also be considered especially among younger learners, as many children are malnourished either from poverty or unhealthy food choices (UNESCO, 2007).
It has been argued that both thought and emotions play an important role in learning. Additionally, one has to consider the level of anxiety, stress and fear and depression and their negative effects on learning, as many of these things causes the learner to become distracted and preoccupied during lessons. Whilst, positive emotions like, willingness and confidence encourages thinking, and enables the learner to engage in problem solving strategies. Furthermore, the role of motivation as a critical learning issue as it is fundamental to stimulate the learner thereby facilitates the learning activity. It has been proven to aid the student in concentrating on what is being done, thereby ensuring a degree of satisfaction (Hammond, Austine,