A brief discussion on learner characteristics of preprimary, primary secondary, Higher secondary, and Adult learners.

1. Learning & Learner
Characteristics
Dr Harikrishnan M
PDF Dept. of Education
University of Kerala

2. Learning
• Learning is the process of acquiring new
understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills,
values, attitudes, and preferences(Richard
Gross)
• Learning is Unified
• Learning is self active
• Learning is individual
• Learning is purposive

3. Learning
• Learning is creative
• Learning is transferable
• Learning is social

4. STAGES of Learning
Cognitive Stage
This involves understanding and
acquainting to nature and goal of the activity
Initial Attempts are involved here. Its a stage of
multiple errors in learning
Associative stage
Herein learner masters skill and timing in
learning a new aspect

5. Learning stages
Less errors and consistency is attained by
this mastery and association
• Autonomous Stage
The learner become self capable to
perform tasks and transfer the learning to new
situation. Well coordinated and automated
performance

6. Learning stages pictorial
Bicycle ride

7. Learning Influenced at all levels by
• Heredity
• Educational opportunity
• Home environment
• Financial background
• Environmental factors (Demography)
• Work experience
• Learner ability
• Health
• Religiosity and beliefs

8. Learner Characteristics
• Curiosity : Learner is supposed to be curious .
• Intrinsic Motivation :
internal drive help to attain learning faster.
• Resilience :
It is another characteristic of Learner.
Persistence to learning when difficult topics are
taught

9. Learner Characteristics
• Adaptability:
Adapting to environment , Technology and
teaching methodology
• Challenge seeking:
Learn difficult things out of comfort zone

10. Learner Characteristics Pre primary
• Do not think figuratively and lack reasoning capabilities
• Love to explore and touch, feel, smell, taste, watch and
wonder about everything around them.
• They also begin to show signs of taking initiative and
creativity.
• Materials which aid to use their intellect to learn new
things and improve the development of their fine
motor skills.
 Books,
 building blocks
 little puzzles

11. Pre primary Learner Learning..
• Emotional characteristics evident while
learning
Anger and quarreling as recognition of the
concept of self-control is minimal
Lack capability to express their feelings or
emotions verbally
Jealousy and attention-seeking

12. Primary student Learner
Characteristics
• Montessori, and Jean Piaget identified primary children
• Have ways of thinking and engaging with the world and
their remarkable hunger for learning.
• find security in rhythm, ritual, and repetition.
• learn through play.
• want to belong to a community that is safe, beautiful,
and good.
• explore the world with wonder.
• “understand” the world first through their bodies.
• seek independence and mastery.

13. Primary student Learner
Characteristics
• “understand” the world first through their
bodies.
• seek independence and mastery.
• hildren thrive in the natural world.
• use stories to construct meaning.
• seek patterns in the world around them.
• construct their identities and build cultural
bridges.
• express themselves in complex ways.

14. Secondary learners Learner
characteristics
• Interests shift from solitary to group pursuits
• Having the "right" or "in" clothing becomes
particularly important
• Vocational interests become more prominent and
realistic
• Concerns about social issues develop
• Beginning of a truer sense of self develops
• Strong attitudes toward religious, ethnic, and
racial groups begin to emerge

15. Secondary learner reactions and need
• Going to extremes, emotional instability and
"know it all" attitude displayed
• Return to habits of childhood - nail biting,
tricks, impudence, day-dreaming
• High interest in philosophical, ethical, and
religious problems - search for ideals
• Preoccupation with acceptance by the social
group; fear of ridicule and/or being
unpopular; overly sensitive; self-pity

16. Secondary learner reactions and need
• Strong identification with an admired adult
• Assertion of independence from family as a step
toward adulthood
• High interest in physical attractiveness
Need
• guidance which is kindly, unobtrusive, and does
not threaten the
• feeling of freedom
• Sense of direction without being pushed
• Acceptance in peer learning

17. • Social Development
• Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Intellectual Development
• Spiritual and Moral Development
• .

18. Characteristics of Higher Secondary
Learners
• Restlessness and fatigue due to hormonal
changes.
• A need for physical activity because of increased
energy.
• Developing sexual awareness
• Moving from concrete to abstract thinking.
• An intense curiosity and wide range of
intellectual pursuit, few of which are sustained
over the long term.
• High achievement when challenged and engaged.

19. Characteristics of Higher Secondary
Learners
• Prefers active over passive learning
experiences.
• Interest in interacting with peers during
learning activities.
• An ability to be self-reflective.
• Demand the relevance in learning and what is
being taught.
• Developing the capacity to understand higher
levels of humor,

20. Characteristics of Adult Learners
• Self-direction.
• Practical and results-oriented.
• Less open-minded And therefore more resistant
to change.
• Slower learning, yet more integrative knowledge.
• Use personal experience as a resource. ...
• Self Motivation.
• Multi-level responsibilities.
• High expectations.

21. Characteristics of Adult Learners
• Relevance of the Learning
• Personal Values and Pre-conception
• Self-Image and Self-Esteem
• Participatory Learning
• Surface Learning and Deep Learning
• Reinforcement and Consolidation
• Pace of Learning
• Learning Environment and Teaching Aids

22. References
• Richard Gross, Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour 6E, Hachette UK,
ISBN 978-1-4441-6436-7.
• Classroom20.com
• https://eleducation.org/resources/characteristics-of-primary-learners
• Fonseca Mora, M. C. (2005): "Individual characteristics of secondary school
students", in McLaren, N., Madrid, D. and Bueno, A. (eds.): TEFL in Secondary
Education. Granada: Editorial Universidad de Granada. (pp. 79-110)
• https://www.sno.wednet.edu/
• https://webpages.uncc.edu/dcassidy/References/Major%20Characteristics.htm
• Research gate.org