Group K Level 5 Unit 504

Applying theories and principles to planning and enabling learning Assessment guidance

1.1 Analyse the factors that can effect learning and achievement

There are number of factors that influence teaching and the environment that is taught in. The ways students learn are affected by these factors and eventually, as is the end-result. In order to achieve good learning outcome, one has to identify how learners learn. Furthermore, as a teacher, it’s important to understand roles and responsibilities of a teacher. This can vary from teaching to being up to date with relevant legislation at all times. However, there is a lot more that happens prior, during and after a teaching session. This includes differentiation through resources, lesson planning, assessment, etc. At the same time, teachers are also to identify where referral is required. Moreover, ‘variety’ in a teaching session, ensures a lesson meets different attention spans of learners and keeping a session interesting for both learners and teacher. (Wilson, 2009: 40-41)
This can also help a teacher to recognize how learners learn. Learners learn in different ways and have been researched by many theorists over the centuries. One of these theorists is Aristotle who wrote

"For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them" (Bynum, 2005)

More recently, David A Kolb’s prominent work on his Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) in 1984 and Learning Style Inventory (LSI) in 1975 has revolutionised place of work, education and adult development. Kolb defines ELT as

“the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from combination of grasping and transforming experience” (Kolb, 1984: 41) 

In other words a person learns through experiences, which then affects their cognitive development. On the other hand, Sigmund Freud suggests that human beings are instinctive and irrational. Freud argues that they are influenced by the unconscious mind that contains repressed or forgotten experiences and memories (Gould, 2009: 76). Kolb’s experiential learning cycle was divided into four stages. These are concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation and active experimentation. These four stages must be executed in order for effective learning to occur. Furthermore, Kolb recognises that learners posses their preferred style and has divided them into accommodating, converging, assimilating and diverging. Kolb argues that the cycle of experiential learning is to improve where necessary.

1.2 Explain how theories and principles of learning and communication can be applied to enable inclusive learning and teaching

According to Wilson a theory is:

“Something which either attempts or has been proven to explain something” (Wilson, 2009: 350).

Theories have been very helpful in understanding how effective learning and communication strengthen and enable teachers to develop inclusive practice.
Kolb belongs to the Andragogy school of thought, Kolb’s approach to teaching is Andragogy, which believes adults to be self-directed, have significant experience that aids learning, are mature and ready to learn and are motivated to learn and apply immediately (Knowles, 1980). There are many theories that have high level of value as long as it is applied appropriately. For example, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence, which has been very useful for educators to reflect on their practice and develop it further. This will help to understand intelligence and categorise in order to develop learning. Gardner argues by recognizing learners learning preferences i.e. linguistic, logical, musical, etc. will allow learning to take place. This also demonstrates that differentiation is adopted in teaching practice. Furthermore, communication takes place in many forms including oral, in writing, etc. Therefore, in order for communication be applied to enable inclusive