29 Dec 2009
Learning is probably the most important process which affects the entire human life since it is through learning humans acquire basic knowledge, develop their skills and abilities, socialize and learn rules and norms of social life. In fact, it is due to learning the experience of past generations is conveyed to younger generation through parents and educators. At the same time, learning is not the absolutely unique, isolated process. In stark contrast, learning is closely intertwined with the social life of an individual as well as his or her environment. In other words, environment plays an important role in the process of learning and, what is more, environment can affect substantially learning and shape an individual’s identity.
On analyzing the role of environment in the process of learning, it is necessary to distinguish social and natural environment which both influence learning since they influence the perception of the surrounding world by an individual. In this respect, it is important to stress the fact that social and natural environment of an individual co-exist, but an individual cannot ignore either. Although, in the contemporary world, the impact of social environment grows stronger compared to the natural environment, which tends to be replaced by the environment constructed by humans (Hooks, 1994). The latter means that due to the high development of modern technologies and social progress, humans have proved to be able to adapt their environment to their own needs.
In such a situation, it is possible to speak about the decrease of the role of natural environment on learning. Nevertheless, its impact is still quite significant and an individual cannot ignore it. For instance, people growing in remote areas are quite different from those who grew up in large, metropolitan areas. In this respect, the natural environment is apparently very important since people living in remote areas are consistently closer to nature.
There are three major theories about human behavior and physical environment: stimulation theory, control theory, and behavior setting theory. Traditional sensory stimulation theory is based upon the statement that learning becomes successful when all senses are stimulated. This theory confirms that when multi-senses are stimulated, greater learning takes place. According to Elizabeth D. Hutchison stimulating theories alarm us to consider the quality and intensions of sensory stimulation theory in the environment where a human lives and works.
