Neural Model of Learning

Complete the interactive activities in the Seneca app to work towards your CPD certificate.

A Neural Model of Learning

Researchers have come up with useful models to explain what we know about memory and learning. This four-stage model was created by Dr. Efrat Furst from Harvard University.

Knowing

Knowing is the ability to recognise something we have encountered before (i.e. the ability to distinguish between new and old information).
Knowing does not mean that you understand the information at all, just that you remember seeing the information before.

Understanding

Understanding involves connecting the new piece of information to something else you already know.
- Making these connections gives more meaning to the information.

Using

Stage 3 involves using the knowledge that you understand.
The more you use knowledge in different contexts, the more connections are created.
- More connections usually lead to stronger memory traces and a deeper understanding.
- Using knowledge in different ways and contexts means more connections are created.

Mastering

When enough connections are created, we finally master the knowledge.
We say that this knowledge has become part of our schemas.
- Schemas are our prior knowledge and learning sets. These act as the platform for new learning to happen in the future.

A Neural Model of Learning - Analogy

Here is one analogy to help us understand the four stages of learning proposed by Dr Efrat Furst.

Knowing

You probably don't know the word MARACUJA. But you are probably able to recognise it if shown amongst other unknown words.
That means you "know" the word. That is, you are able to tell you have seen it before.

Understanding

Identifying a word does not mean you understand it.
This will happen when you give meaning to the word.
Maracuja = passion fruit in Portuguese.

Using

Only giving meaning to the word is not enough to securely store it in our long-term memory.
It is important to use this knowledge as much as possible and in as many ways as possible.
Such as using passion fruit to create delicious recipes!

Mastering

After using the knowledge many times and in multiple contexts, you will have created enough connections to say you have mastered that knowledge.
Now, you are ready to learn something new and return to the first stage.