6.
Learning is influenced by environmental factors
TOPIC 1 (WEEK 2)
Learner-Centered Psychological
Principles
Learning Principles Associated To Cognitive,
Metacognitive, Motivational, And Affective
Factors
4 Learner-Centered Psychological Principles (APA):
1. Cognitive and metacognitive factors
2. Motivational and affective factors
3. Developmental and social factors
4. Individual difference factors
Cognitive and Metacognitive Factors
 Cognitive factors - mental processes the learners
undergo as they process information
 Metacognitive factors – the way learners think
about their thinking as they engage in mental tasks
1. The learning of complicated subject matter is most
effective when it is an intentional process of
constructing meaning from information and
experience.
- An intentional learning environment is one
that fosters activity and feedback, and creates a culture
that promotes metacognition.
2. The successful learner, over time and with support
and instructional guidance, can create meaningful,
coherent representations of knowledge.
- Meaningful learning takes place when what is
presented to learners is very much related to their
needs and interests.
3. The successful learner can link new information with
existing knowledge in meaningful ways.
- The integration of prior experiences to a new
concept to be learned is a way of making connections
between what is new and what is already known.
4. The successful learner can create and use a
repertoire of thinking and reasoning strategies to
achieve complex learning goals.
- Strategic 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. Strategic thinkers do not easily give
up even in difficult situations.
5. Higher-order strategies for selecting and monitoring
mental operations facilitate creative and critical
thinking.
- Teachers should develop the learners’ higher
order thinking skills (HOTS), which involve
interpretation, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of
varied concepts, information, and knowledge.
including culture, technology, and instructional
practices.
- Much of what learners learn in the classroom
with their teachers can only have meaning once they
see them concretely in their everyday life. Examples
given in the classroom should be a reflection of their
actual life experiences.
Motivational and Affective Factors
 Motivational factors – how learners push
themselves to learn, and how they value learning
 Affective factors – relate to the attitudes, feelings,
and emotions that learners put into the learning
task
1. What and how much are learned are influenced by
the learner’s motivation.
- Motivation to learn is influenced by the
individual’s emotional states, beliefs, interests and
goals, and habits of thinking. Its level also determines
the extent of his/her ability to accomplish desired tasks.
2. The learner’s creativity, higher-order thinking, and
natural curiosity all contribute to the motivation to
learn.
There are 2 kinds of motivation:
 Intrinsic – personally gratifying, no expectation
of tangible reward
 Extrinsic – engagement is done for external
gains or to avoid punishments
- The most important way to motivate students
is to present the value of what they study to their life.
Learning is not about getting good grades or compliance
with requirements, but it is more of knowing why they
need to learn about something, and to what specific
instances in their lives they would be able to use them.
3. Acquisition of sophisticated knowledge and skills
requires extensive learner’s effort and guided practice.
- The learner’s 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
committment and enthusiasm toward a task they have
to do and a concept they have to learn.
Learning Principles on Development, Social, and
Individual Differences
Development and social factors, as well as individual
differences are considered critical factorsi the capacity
of learners to engage in learning. These principles
include the following:
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 are taken into account.
2. Learning is influenced by social interactions,
interpersonal relations, and communication with
others.
- 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.
- Each learner has his or her own learning style,
intelligence, potential, skills, talents, learning
preferences, as well as cognitive abilities, which are the
effects of both experience and heredity. Theories on
multiple intelligences, learning styles, and differentiated
instructions are all to be considered when planning the
delivery of lessons.

4. Learning is most effective when differences in

learners’ linguistic, cultural, and social backgrounds
are taken into account.
- Culture makes one person distinct from other
people. Students manifest differences in language,
values, belief systems, and way of life. An inclusive
classroom is one that welcomes and respects these
differences.
5. Setting appropriately high and challenging standards
and assessing the learner as well as the learning
progress — including diagnostic, process, and outcome
assessment — are integral parts of the learning
process.
- Assessment and evaluation are essential parts
of the teaching / learning process. The results of
assessments conducted are used to gauge the learner’s
strengths, weaknesses, limitations, and areas of
difficulties. Teachers can also determine what kind of
support and instructional material would best assist a
learner for better school performance.

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