CHAPTER 1

The Nature and Scope of Learning

1.0 Introduction
Psychology is the scientific study
of the mind and how it influences
behaviour This course therefore
is going to deal with the
scientific study of the mind and
how it influences teaching and
learning.
1.1 Definition of Terms
Teaching
Teaching is a process of
facilitating changes in
learners and entails the
demonstration, guiding and
directing of learner efforts.
Learning
Learning may be
defined as a
relatively permanent
change changes in
behaviour resulting
from reinforced
practice.
Training
Training is the
acquisition of
knowledge, skills, and
competencies as a result
of the teaching of
vocational or practical
skills and knowledge
that relate to specific
useful competencies.
Education
It is a form of learning
in which knowledge,
skills, and habits of a
group of people are
transferred from one
generation to the next
through teaching,
training, research
Types of education
Formal education:
organized educational activity
within an established system
Informal education:
unorganized learning activity in
which human beings undergo in
a lifetime
Non formal education:
organized learning activities
outside the established formal
education system
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE