Behaviour, Habits & Thoughts.

Creating a Learning Culture is nothing but creating an environment wherein learning takes place each day; about fundamentally and decisively changing the way we think; about how, what, and when we learn, and how we can apply learning to practice.

Learning culture explains how learning strategies applied to all aspects of every activity can provide swift returns and lasting results.

The key aspects of learning culture are:

The importance of learning at every juncture.

The organic and adaptive approaches learners can take to design enduring success formulae.

The expanding role of learners and the impending implications for them.

Learning culture can also be called the concept of Knowledge Strategy that comes from emerging theories that focus on resources as a key component to maintaining a sustained competitive advantage.

Create a vision and ignite learners to make this vision a reality. Make people so passionate about what they are doing that they can't wait to execute this plan. Have great energy, competitive spirit and the ability to spark excitement and achieve results'-this is the essence of any learning culture. Eduranet-designed learning culture wages a war on the old ways of learning and invents new techniques and ideas that articulate a vision that inspires others to act decisively and positively.

Genuine learning culture, designed by Eduranet, comes from the quality of our vision and our ability to spark others to extraordinary performance. Eduranet believes that the best performances come from challenged, empowered, excited and rewarded teams of people. The goal of Eduranet's learning culture is to make every learner a proud member of these groups of people.

Behaviour, Habits, and Thoughts are the three important aspects of Human Learning Culture.

1) Learners' Behaviour :

Behaviour is the manner in which we behave or the manner in which something functions or operates. Everyone has his/her way of communicating with others. This exposes their behaviour. We can learn by observing the behaviour of others or by the outcome of their behaviour. One's behavioural pattern depends on one's cultural background, the society in which one lives or the environment that influences a particular pattern of behaviour. One's behaviour changes depending on one's age group or the circumstances one encounters.

Eduranet has, painstakingly, investigated cultural differences in academic styles and learning behaviour which have an impact on the conceptual structure of learning strategies. Behaviorism favours the view of learning as an observable change in behaviour. The learner is considered as adapting to his environment while being exposed to certain stimuli. Behaviour is reinforced by providing immediate and positive feedback. Successful learning depends on the way in which information is presented and on the cognitive activities of the learner. Learning is an individual, internal process which occurs on the basis of the learner's experience or his/her social context (that influences his/her behaviour).

Eduranet's aim is to find out the characteristics of relevant learning styles that can be attributed to the culturally biased learning behaviour of the learners.

Eduranet has developed a design model for the construction of learning systems which matches the needs of learners with different characteristics without changing the appearance of the system in a fundamental way. The culturally specific educational environment in which students learn to acquire knowledge has a strong effect on their personal learning Style (learners' behaviour).

2) Learners' Habits:

Habits are routine activities done without thinking. A habit is something that we do over and over again without consciously thinking about doing it. Every human being has habits-good or bad. Many of our actions are habits, such as the sequence of steps to tie a shoe- lace. All habits begin as an action that we are aware of, but the more times the action is performed, the easier and more automatic it becomes.

Eventually an action that is constantly being repeated will become a "strong habit" that requires almost no thought.Effective learners have to cultivate good habits to realize their set goals. A learner's habits are 'habits of the mind'. Good habits of mind make learners good 'self-directed learners'.

They are the core of good study habits. Some of them are:

(a) Perseverance and Persistence:

Develop a number of problem solving strategies. Use as many as are required to reach a solution to the problem. Self- directed learners are persistent. If one method does not work, they persist and try another method. They do not give up until their task on hand is completed.

(b) Flexibility of thinking:

Listening to another's point of view and working effectively with others. This helps expand your area of knowledge.

(c) Questioning:

The self-directed learners are always gathering information, asking questions and pursuing knowledge. They are like the child who asks “WHY” all the time and who has a need to know. Keep asking “Who? What? Where? When? Why?How? What if? If that is true, then what about…?” until you get the appropriate answer. This is the ability to change your mind and perspectives based on new knowledge.

(d) Checking:

Checking and reflecting (on what we have learned) is important to ensure accuracy and clarity.

(e) Creativity:

Looking at a problem from every angle. Don't be afraid to think outside the square. Try to create different solutions to problems and not just look at one solution to a problem. Look for creative ways to express yourself.

(f) Precision of Language & Thought:

Learners with good learning habits are precise in their thinking and speaking. They think before they speak and carefully articulate their thoughts so that others understand them.

(g) Review:

Let the past help the present by calling on existing knowledge and experience to explain, support and solve new challenges or problems. Time management and time commitment, self- discipline and self-motivation are other good study habits.

Habits - Steps to Success, Modules I & II: is an innovative desktop material for the members of Learning Culture Course’05, in which the following positive habits have been mentioned.

1. Learning to Learn:The benefit of this 'habit' is that learners clearly identify the mode of learning best suited to them and follow that in future learning process.
2. Time Management:This ‘habit’ enables the learners to plan their study schedules more judiciously without giving room to confusion or anxiety.
3. Stress Management:With this learners can wriggle out of stress creating situations with ease.
4. Avoiding Procrastination: The benefit of this 'habit' is that learners will be able to meet deadlines or adhere to study schedules. This takes the pressure off the minds of learners to a great extent.
5. Thinking Critically: After going through this, learners can analyse or sort out a problem with an open mind without jumping to conclusions.
6. Thinking like a Genius:\r\nWith this line of thinking, learners can thrash out a problem creatively like a genius. This wards off the inferiority complex (if any) of learners.
7. Motivation: This ‘habit’ will enable learners to pursue their set goals with determination and dedication.
8. Concentration:This will help learners improve upon their comprehension of a topic or subject and this, in turn, will enrich their knowledge.
9. Problem Solving:With this, learners will learn to mull over a problem decisively and try to find short-term or long-term solutions.
10. Effective Study Habits: By developing effective study habits, learners can mould themselves into responsible and intelligent citizens.
11. Memorizing: This is a good habit and it increases the memory power of learners.
12. Classroom Preparation:This habit makes learners more disciplined and confident.
13. Influencing Teacher:\r\nThis is about making the teacher pay necessary attention to your learning needs.
14. Taking Notes:\r\nThis habit helps learners to make a comprehensive presentation on any topic or subject.
15. Paying Attention:With this the students will concentrate more on what the teacher says without unnecessary diversions.
16. Discussion:\r\nThis habit helps in enhancing the learners\' self-confidence and communication skills.
17. Reading Skills:These help improve the reading skills of learners to a great extent.
18. Writing Skills:\r\nThis habit helps learners to do homework or assignments in a methodical way.
19. Preparing for Tests:\r\nAttending tests/ examinations without fail is also a good habit that has to be cultivated by learners.
20. Communication Skills:\r\nDeveloping good communication skills is a good habit that helps learners march ahead of peers.

3. Learners' Thoughts:

A thought is something, such as an idea or a concept, that potentially or actually exists in the mind as a product of mental activity. The physical brain is the sender and receiver of thoughts. Every day the human brain can generate a number of thoughts. An idea can change anything, any time. Good thoughts lead to good deeds and a combination of good thoughts results in the overall development of the universe itself. So, it is important that learners cultivate good thinking process. When one says "I'm struggling to understand", is one talking about such an action by the brain? Is such a struggle of the brain similar to the struggle when one tries to get the motions together to shift gears in a car, or to play a difficult series of notes on a guitar? The common answer to these questions is ‘YES’. Here is another example. When a teacher admonishes a class, "Now, think about it! Follow the reasoning! It\'s not so hard!", is she asking their brains to do something? In fact, she is! It is to the advantage of learners to develop positive thinking (reasoning). Fill your mind with all good thoughts, good logic and reasoning. Eduranet Education System guides learners to develop good learning behaviour, effective study habits and positive thoughts to help them groom themselves as intellectual and responsible professionals and global citizens.The Learning Culture Course ’05 is available exclusively to students in the age group of 10-20 in the distance learning mode.

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