The following points highlight the four main factors that influence the process of learning. The factors are: 1. Maturation 2. Motivation 3. Attention 4. Interest.
Factor # 1. Maturation:
Learning starts at birth and continues till death. But a small infant cannot learn whatever we want him to learn. Learning depends on the maturation of central nervous system and other physiological system of the body, e.g. 6 months old baby cannot be made to walk or write because his system has not achieved the maturity for these tasks. If an individual reaches the required level of maturation learning will be effective and efficient.
Factor # 2. Motivation:
Learning has a goal. We try to modify our behaviour either for our own satisfaction or to please others or with a purpose behind it. This shows that a force that directs us towards a goal controls our learning, e.g. a student wants to perform well, motive behind his hardworking is to gain recognition. It we analyze our own behavioural changes we observe that our own motives helped us in acquiring new behaviour.
Factor # 3. Attention:
Attention is the selective process of mind without this activity we cannot observe any stimulus as a result we cannot have any experience of the stimulus. Learning of our change in behaviour experience is very essential. So we can say that without attention learning cannot take place. Attention depends upon motivation, mental environmental factors like distraction or irrelevant stimulus, etc. which affect the efficiency of learning.
Factor # 4. Interest:
Interest is closely related to action. Interest is nothing but our like and dislikes towards certain stimulus. Interest is called the mother of attention. We also can say that interest and attention are interrelated. When we have interest we pay attention. When we pay attention we can develop interest.
Learner’s interest depends on many factors like method of teaching, techniques used in the learning process and nature of learning material. When our interest is affected by these factors it is difficult to pay attention, which in turn affects learning.
Internet improves our attention and facilitates learning. To create and sustain interest we should setup a particular aim and objective in learning, select and organize proper material, arranging proper learning situation and determination is essential.
Apart from all these factors, there are other factors such as:
Practice—respecting or exercising
Fatigue—physical, mental and sensory motor exhaustion
Attitude—tendency to react favourably and unfavourably
Emotions—our strong feelings and disturbed conditions
Age—maturity
Learning activity—nature of activity
Teaching and guiding—method of teaching and effectiveness of teaching
Physical environment—learning atmosphere plays a significant role of learning.