Observational learning is the acquisition of knowledge based on another person's behavior, thoughts or emotions. After learning this way, you may not even realize that you have learned something until you actually demonstrate your skill. Observational learning is based on four distinct stages that involve the active participation of the student. This provides a comprehensive and continuous learning experience that is very effective because it will not only help you gain knowledge, it will help you retain it, reproduce it when needed, and even enhance it. Four stages of learning observation:
- Attention - if you pay attention to your surroundings, you will absorb much more than you think. When you learn to be attentive in a certain situation, you will learn from it all the time.
- Retention is the part where your brain extracts the details in memory and makes connections with information accumulated from earlier instances to form new neural pathways.
- Reproduction - the most important stage in the observation of learning, when you, as a student, must reproduce from memory the knowledge that you have completed earlier. This reproduction may be oral or by performing actions.
- Reinforcement or motivation - the final stage of observational training of reinforcement and motivation. As a learner, there is no reason for you to reproduce any knowledge if you are not motivated to do so, or if you need to strengthen your knowledge for deeper understanding. This motivation can be a reward for knowledge being well retained or being able to use well.
There are unlimited possibilities for real-world learning.((VeryWellMind: how observational studies affect behavior)) As a learner, you are responsible for training your brain to be open to new knowledge and situations that will help maximize learning from the opportunities provided. Here are a few strategies you can adopt to make observational training work for you:
1. Find the right person to learn from
It has been proven in numerous studies that people learn better than those who fit into a certain profile that attracts the student:
- This is someone you respect. You always learn a lot from a person you respect, even if that person is not actively looking to teach you. You will be guided by them when they speak, you will observe their behavior, and you will unconsciously adopt everything they say and do around you.
- This is someone you identify with. The person you define at any level will always be a good teacher. It could be someone in a position of authority or a peer. You might feel like this person has experienced some of the same things that you have and managed to rise above them. This connection with someone will make you more attuned to them and help you learn by watching them. Athletes, celebrities, and other successful professionals who have overcome adversity are popular options for training observations.
- It's someone you're attracted to. It could be a celebrity, a peer, or anyone else in general. You can be attracted to any reason for everything: their looks, talent, popularity, sense of humor, lifestyle. All these factors that make a person attractive to you and you subconsciously learn a lot from them.
- This is someone on a higher “level” than you. This could be a top manager in your workplace, a college teacher, or a sister. Any person who is in a position of power and is quite capable of taking responsibility for his position brings a good option.
2. Shadows of Your Master
Do you like sports? Do you ever find yourself doing the same play you saw your favorite player? You may have admired the basketball player and the hours of shooting hoops the way he did, even if he never taught you personally. This is a classic example from learning observations. Being close to the person you want to learn and watching them as they go about their business opens up a huge learning opportunity. Take, for example, a medical student who is assigned a rotation under the guidance of a doctor considered to be an expert in his field. This student will walk over to the doctor's rounds, take mental notes and his behavior with patients, other staff and students and how he goes about treating patients. It is also one of the best examples of observational learning. Likewise, if you want to learn how to sell, the shadow of a person with a good reputation and proven skills. Watching this person as he goes about selling a product or service will impart better learning than textbooks.
3. Strive to replicate learning rewards
There would be no reason for you to repeat the learned behavior if there were no consequences for it. While some things being replayed can lead to negative consequences (think the extra hassle of breaking a vase, playing football indoors), you should actively aim to only replicate actions that will reward you. This reward could be better than the game technique that gets you on the team, good manners when dealing with the sick, or anything else you feel is fair to reproduce the desired behavior. The process of replaying any learning that will be rewarded means that you first pay attention when a learning opportunity is presented, as well as that you make an effort to commit learning to memory.
4. Take Good Notes
Does this sound contrary to learning observations? It really isn't. When you come out of the learning environment and fix the acquired knowledge by memory, writing it down helps. Lot. Let me rephrase your teaching. Write notes in your own words if there is a phrase you think is ideal or if you are using a direct quote. Remember, the brain remembers in pictures. If words aren't your thing, use memory cards, mnemonics, or any other aid that will help you review the information you were just memorizing.
5. Play Your Training
A fantastic way to recall observational knowledge is to reproduce said self. Teach someone what you have learned and focus on remembering the details. You can also ask to reproduce the information in front of your teacher. This is a great opportunity to know if you remember right! You can also repeat information to yourself over and over again until you are sure you know it well.
6. Rest Your Mind
In order to learn from observation, your mind must be attentive to everything that is happening around it. A well-rested brain is much better at learning and making new connections. If you don't already have a routine, create one and stick to it. You need to be targeted for 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep so that your mind is refreshed (our body produces fluids at night, flushing out toxins from the brain). Here's how I create my routine: Powerful Daily Life Examples for Healthy and High Achievement You Give yourself a few minutes to unwind during the day, so when you need to connect with your neighborhood, she's ready to do so. Take a look at this meditation guide: Meditation for Beginners: How to Meditate Deep and Fast it might give you some great tips! When you're in an intense or even boring environment, your brain can shut down due to information overload or boredom. If you get distracted where you should be focusing, take a break. A short walk outside, drinks and even a few minutes in the sun will do you good.
7. Play Mind Games
No, not mind games that mess with the other person. We mean keeping your mind sharp and focused. Memory card games, find the difference, Sudoku, crossword puzzles are all games that will help. You can also memorize an image and then recall it, either write about it or draw it yourself. You can find some ideas to increase your mind power in article 7 brain training habits to easily increase your brain power.
Bottom Line
So, here are 7 ways you can try to make the most of learning observations. They are strong, proven methods that will make this type of training an easy success.
Read more about Effective Learning
- Using Observation to Learn to Learn Effectively
- Basic teaching methods to help you learn effectively
- 4 learning styles to help you learn faster and smarter