1986
4-H-687
INDIANA
4-H
LEADER
HOME
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PURDUE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
Principles of Learning
One of the most important responsibilities of a volunteer 4-H leader is to help youths acquire skills and knowledge in reaching their goals.
Some basic principles apply to all learning situations:
1.	Young people learn best in an atmosphere of WARMTH AND ACCEPTANCE.
2.	Adequate learning requires MOTIVATION. Self motivation comes from basic needs, personal preferences, said feelings of self worth and belongings. External motivation, on the other hand, is based on incentives and awards received. Both kinds of motivation (self and external) should be used in your teaching role.
3.	In order to learn, members must have clear, SELF DETERMINED GOALS.
4.	Each youth will have DIFFERENT ABILITIES. The same teaching method will not be equally successful with all members.
5.	A youth must be ACTIVELY INVOLVED in selecting and carrying out learning activities, if learning is to take place.
6.	SELF EVALUATION is the most meaningful kind of evaluation and can be a very successful learning experience.
Ways To Learn
Young people will be more interested and active learners if introduced to a variety of teaching methods. How much information a learner keeps varies from method to method. Remember, “learning by doing” is a basic concept in 4-H and is often the best way to help young people retain knowledge.
READING. Young people will retain about 10 percent of what they read. Printed project materials and other literature are important ways to share knowledge, but they should be supplemented with other teaching methods.
HEARING. Members will retain about 20 percent of what they hear. Most teachers talk too much. Give young people a chance to explain and discuss what is presented.
SEEING. Young people will generally retain 30 percent of what they see. Exhibits, posters, and illustrations are big pluses in teaching, especially when young people prepare materials to share.
HEARING AND SEEING. When young people see and hear materials, they will retain about 50 percent. Observing demonstrations, seeing movies, slide-tapes, etc., and participating in tours are all ways members can see and hear, and are generally popular teaching methods.
SAYING. Members will retain about 70 percent of what they personally explain. When young people become an active part of the learning process, the amount they learn increases dramatically. Discussion groups and judging experience are two important ways members can express their ideas.
SAYING AND DOING. When young people are actively involved in saying and doing, they will retain about 90 percent of the material. Most people learn best by actually doing. Provide opportunities for the members to practice and explore what they have learned. Actual project work, planning and presenting a demonstration, and teaching younger members are examples of the saying and doing approach.
Teaching Methods
Here are some teaching methods you may want to use in working with your group. Also you are encouraged to experiment with other methods.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations are traditional teaching techniques in 4-H. A volunteer can present demonstrations to help the members learn. Members, in turn, will reinforce this learning by repeating demons-