meaningful learning

Categories: Site glossary

a term used by Ausubel to denote learning that (though not necessarily canonical) related new material to existing knowledge and understanding

often contrasted with rote learning

 

Example of use:

"The constructivist view suggests this is because the processes by which we come to experience our surroundings are processes of interpretation. So the individual has to actively construct a meaningful interpretation of what is being seen and heard. That is, all meaningful learning is a process of personal meaning making through that individual's current knowledge and understanding." (Taber, 2011, p.44)

 

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.