Unit 1: The Nature of The Learner: Embodied Spirit
Unit 1: The Nature of The Learner: Embodied Spirit
All learners are equipped with the cognitive and appetitive faculties. They differ however in the
degree to which they are utilized and expressed on account of the learners’ abilities, aptitudes,
interests, values and attitudes and home background. Let us take a look once more at the learner
from this point of view of these five distinguishing elements.
1. Ability
The students’ native ability dictates the prospects of success in any purposeful activity. It
determines their capacity to understand and assimilate information for their own use and
application. As learners they differ in the way they observe and interpret happenings in their
surroundings. Some are more perceptive and discerning while others are less inquisitive. With
such typical reactions and facilit) to learn, they may. be classified generally into fast, average and
slow learners. Others are labeled high, moderate and slow achievers. Hence, their proficiency in
searching for more knowledge and the motivation in performance skills are contingent on their
endowed potential to learn.
As to their mental ability, students can he categorized into superior, above average and below
average. A wide range in their intelligence is a factor to consider in planning instruction.
2. Aptitude
Aptitude refers to the students’ innate talent or gift. It indicates a natural capacity to learn certain
skills. Some may exhibit special inclination for the arts such as painting and designing crafts,
propensity for music and flair for dramatics. Talent for mathematics or literature is likewise
noticed among a few.
An early recognition of said natural adeptness among students is indeed compelling so as not to
waste such inborn learning. Provisions of a formative environment will be of great help in
enabling them to flourish and grow.
3. Interests
Learners vary in activities that arc undertaken due to strong appeal or attraction. A physically go
for athletics, while an artistic and stylish student would pursue hobbies that are fascinating, Girls
are, strongly attracted to flowering plants and greeneries and their preoccupations revolve around
them. Boys go for hiking and mountain climbing.
Lessons that give them the chance to express their deep feelings for objects or actions will be
more meaningful and easily absorbed. A classroom set-up could offer centers of interest that
make their stay pleasant and enjoyable. Interest clubs organized by different disciplines serve as
outlet of special interests shared by the members.
Beneficial relationships of learners with their mentors and with one another affirm the kind of
bond they enjoy at home. Cooperation, coupled with a willingness to share, is instilled and is
carried over to all associations they join. The tendency to readily affiliate with a group is most
welcomed in a classroom setting where teamwork achieves desired lesson objectives.
5. Attitudes
Students have a unique way of thinking and reacting. Confronted with the same situation in the
learning environment each one would react differently depending on their personal
characteristics. Attitude refers to an individual’s perspective and disposition.
Being imaginative they can think of new ways of arriving at solutions to their problems. They
can innovate procedures and techniques instead of sticking to antiquated and traditional
methodologies. Learning is achieved through their own inventions and novel revisions,.thus
producing new and improved products.
d. Persistence
Persistent students sustain interest in a learning acti-vity not mindful of the extra time and effort
being spent. They pursue the task to completion and never give up when confronted with
problems. They develop the attitude of trying alternative procedures until they obtain satisfac-
tory results. They are driven by a never-ending search for more knowledge and information.
These five elements make learners different from one another. The differences among learners
become more accentuated,with the integration of children with special needs and children from
the indigenous peoples (IP) group in the classroom.
ACTIVITY:
Make a collage about the nature of the leaner, representing any object or thing. Explain 6-10 sentences,
why the collage is represented of a particular object a thing.