6Observation, Reflection and Imagination as learning strategies

What is a learning strategy?

A learning strategy is an individual way of organising and using a particular set of skills in order to
learn content or accomplish a particular task in a school or any setting.
some of this best learning strategies are such as observation, Reflection and Imagination
Learning strategy instruction focuses on strategies that leads to active learning by teaching such as
observation, Reflection and Imagination.

Observation
Observational learning is the process of learning by watching the behaviour of others. The targeted
behaviour is watched, memorised and then mimicked.
A model is the person performing the task being imitated. In the example of a student learning to
swear, the model is the teacher saying the swear in word. The student is using the teacher as the model
that they observe performing a behaviour.

Four processes of Observational learning

According to Bandura's research, there are four processes that result to Observational learning:
1. Attention
2. Retention
3. Reproduction
4. Motivation
Attention
To learn, the student must pay attention to something in the environment. They must notice the
teacher and the behaviour occurring. Attention level may vary depending on the teacher
characteristics and the environment including the student current mood.
Retention
Attention alone isn’t enough to learn a new behaviour. The student must retain or remember the
behaviour for later times.
To increase the chances of retention, the student must structure the information in an easy to read
format. Maybe they form a mnemonic or embrace a daily learning habit.
The action must be easily remembered so that it can be performed with little or no effort.
Reproduction
The behaviour is remembered. But can it be performed in real life?
Reproduction is the process where the student must be able to physically perform the behaviour in the
real world. Easier said than done!
Often, producing a new behaviour requires hours of practice to obtain the skill.
Motivation
All learning requires some degree of personal motivation. For observation learning, the student must
be motivated to produce the desired behaviour.
Sometimes, this motivation is intrinsic to the student. However, it may come in form of external
reinforcement- reward and punishment.
Reflection
https://www.educationcorner.com/observational-learning-guide.html
https://books.google.co.ke/books?
id=NXxTAQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=observation+reflection+and+imagination+as+learni
ng+strategy+pdf&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiBquHU49r8AhV2T6QEHandCZQQuwV6BAgCEA
c#v=onepage&q&f=false
https://books.google.co.ke/books?
id=GY6EDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA53&dq=observation+as+learning+strategy&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahU
KEwiRkM7W8dr8AhVnTKQEHZUHDGUQ6AF6BAgCEAM#v=onepage&q=observation%20as
%20learning%20strategy&f=true
https://books.google.co.ke/books?
id=GLGbEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=observation+as+learning+strategy&hl=en&sa=X&r
edir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=observation%20as%20learning%20strategy&f=false

Reflection
https://books.google.co.ke/books?
id=kF75DwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Reflection+as+a+learning+strategy&hl=en&sa=X&
ved=2ahUKEwifjL_A99r8AhWvRKQEHSdACHM4ChDoAXoECAcQAw#v=onepage&q=Reflectio
n%20as%20a%20learning%20strategy&f=false
https://books.google.co.ke/books?
id=BUKjDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Reflection+as+a+learning+strategy&hl=en&sa=X&
ved=2ahUKEwiJhp_5-Nr8AhUlRuUKHYGEBrQ4KBDoAXoECAYQAw#v=onepage&q=Reflection
%20as%20a%20learning%20strategy&f=false

Imagination
https://books.google.co.ke/books?
id=DEXqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=imagination+as+a+learning+strategy+in+teaching+and+learn
ing&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjen-
DXqt38AhXiQaQEHcccBTw4HhDoAXoECAUQAw#v=onepage&q=imagination%20as%20a
%20learning%20strategy%20in%20teaching%20and%20learning&f=false
According to John, imagination is a powerful learning strategy particularly in solving mathematical
problems.
Mathematical imagination not only teaches student to explore with diverse topics but also to
experiment mathematical questions by use of mental images and action. Therefore, its a strategy that
can be used to clarify mathematical questions.
To use this strategy is simple, practice! It’s only when student experience exercises in mathematical
imaging on a daily basis that they are able to incorporate it into existing projects. Hence, students gain
a more broader approach to solving mathematical problems.
By first imagining the task rather than the usual method of working on it right away. Students are able
to solve them with a lot of ease. The imagination approach, thus shifts from being teachers led tool to
a strategy that students can internalise and use on their own.
Page no. 12
Year 2020
https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=T6-
gEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=imagination+and+creativity+in+learning&hl=en&sa=X&re
dir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=imagination%20and%20creativity%20in%20learning&f=false