What are factors necessary for learning?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Factors Necessary for Learning
Understanding the factors necessary for learning is crucial for developing effective educational strategies. Research highlights a variety of educational, psychological, and social factors that significantly influence learning outcomes. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive overview of these factors.
Educational and Psychological Factors
Proximal Variables: Psychological, Instructional, and Home Environment
Research indicates that proximal variables, such as psychological factors, instructional methods, and the home environment, have a more substantial impact on learning compared to distal variables like demographic and policy factors 1. Psychological factors include students' self-regulated learning, need for cognition, and adaptive control of learning, which are essential for deep learning approaches 2. Instructional methods that incorporate variation and invariance systematically can significantly enhance students' learning experiences 4.
Prior Knowledge and Meaningful Learning
David Ausubel's Theory of Meaningful Learning emphasizes that prior knowledge is a critical factor influencing students' learning. However, for learning to be meaningful, students must also have a predisposition to learn and access to potentially significant teaching materials 5. This theory underscores the importance of building on what students already know and ensuring that new information is relevant and engaging.
Social and Emotional Factors
Motivation and Emotional Well-being
Motivational factors play a significant role in learning. Students' motivation can be influenced by family support, the perceived importance of classes, interest in the subject matter, and a positive self-concept 7. Emotional factors such as interest, joy, and a sense of well-being are also crucial, particularly during the knowledge acquisition phase of learning 8. Positive emotions are linked to successful learning processes, while negative emotions like anxiety can hinder learning.
Teacher-Student Relationships
The relationship between teachers and students is another critical factor. Effective teachers create a warm and supportive learning environment, show genuine care for their students, and serve as positive role models 7. These teacher-related factors can significantly enhance students' motivation and engagement in the learning process.
Environmental and Contextual Factors
Online and Blended Learning Environments
In the context of online and blended learning, several factors are essential for success. These include basic online modality, instructional support, teaching presence, cognitive presence, and social presence 3. Students who prefer face-to-face classes value online interactive modality and instructional support more highly, indicating the need for a comparable experience in online settings.
Learning Frameworks and Course Quality
Learning frameworks courses that focus on study and self-management strategies, motivation, and cognitive skills can significantly impact student success 9. Additionally, students' satisfaction with course quality, including workload, assessment, teaching, and clarity of goals, encourages the adoption of deep learning approaches 10.
Conclusion
In summary, learning is influenced by a complex interplay of educational, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Proximal variables such as psychological factors, instructional methods, and home environment play a significant role. Prior knowledge, motivation, emotional well-being, and teacher-student relationships are also crucial. In online and blended learning environments, factors like teaching presence and instructional support are essential. Understanding these factors can help educators develop more effective teaching strategies and create supportive learning environments that foster student success.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Toward a Knowledge Base for School Learning
Proximal factors (psychological, instructional, and home environment) have a greater influence on school learning than distal factors (demographic, policy, and organizational).
Meta-Analysis
Highly CitedApproaches to learning, need for cognition, and strategic flexibility among university students.
Self-regulated learning is defined by deep approach, need for cognition, and adaptive control, while ineffective learning is characterized by surface approach, inflexible control, and irresolute control.
Observational StudyHighly CitedIntegrating students’ perspectives about online learning: a hierarchy of factors
Students value basic online modality, cognitive presence, and online social comfort for online learning success, while face-to-face classes value online interactive modality and instructional support more.
Observational StudyHighly CitedOn Some Necessary Conditions of Learning
The learning process depends on the pattern of variation and invariance in a sequence of lessons, with a systematic framework enhancing students' learning.
Highly CitedA Systematic Review of Critical Success Factors in Blended Learning
Critical success factors in blended learning include learner characteristics, teacher characteristics, course materials, learning characteristics, ICT system, and learning environment.
Systematic ReviewPerceptions of Students on Factors in Motivation to Learn
Students' motivation to learn is influenced by family support, belief in class importance, interest in subject, and feeling valuable for instructors and friends.
Observational StudyAn investigation of the influence of emotional factors on learning in physics instruction
Joy about learning and interest are frequently linked to successful learning processes in physics instruction, not just the nature of the subject matter.
Observational StudyHighly CitedSalient Factors for Student Success Gained through a Learning Frameworks Course
A Learning Frameworks course significantly improved students' study and self-management strategies, increased motivation, and reduced anxiety and stress, while also improving cognitive skills.
Observational StudyUsing student-centred learning environments to stimulate deep approaches to learning: Factors encouraging or discouraging their effectiveness
Deep approaches to learning in student-centered learning environments are more likely when students are satisfied with course quality, older students, and those with certain personality traits.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedTry another search
What are the implications of biodiversity loss for ecosystem services and human well-being?
The role of digital platforms in fostering civic engagement and political participation.
What are the applications of bioinformatics in genomics and proteomics?
What are the health implications of global travel?
The implications of dark matter and dark energy on cosmological models.
The impact of global supply chains on environmental sustainability and labor rights.