To learn, to know, and knowledge are terms often used interchangeably. But are knowing and knowledge really synonymous with learning?
People who write to me asking for advice on how to deal with their children’s learning difficulties often confuse these concepts. In fact, even experts in the field often have unclear ideas about the difference between them; it is not uncommon for some to focus mainly (and even inadequately) on learning without thinking about it in a broader perspective, closely related to knowledge and knowing.
Instead, I want to explain to you once and for all the difference between the synonyms of learning and especially how to work on each of them so that your child can achieve the greatest possible personal fulfillment, also through your parenting role.
Let’s get started!
1. What does it mean to learn
Learning is a fundamental process for the cognitive and behavioral development of an individual. But what exactly is it? In simple terms, learning can be defined as the process by which information is acquired.
It is the first use that the mind makes of information received through the senses; essentially, when we see, hear, or perceive information from the environment in some way, it is kept active by memory to be processed by the mind.
According to cognitive theories, learning is the result of a series of mental processes that involve attention, perception, memory, and more generally, thought and motivation.
This last aspect is the most important of all for promoting good learning, because beyond an individual’s abilities, the real engine of learning and growth is the motivation to become protagonists of change. I delve into this aspect in my book Fearless Parenting Method.
Another cognitive thread examines the fact that learning occurs through experience, in the sense that the quality of learning is influenced by one’s prior knowledge. Apart from innate behaviors, nothing is ever learned from scratch, but always starting from what one already knows.
2. What does it mean not-learning
I know it may seem strange, but not-learning is a very difficult event. Let me explain. Of course, some people are particularly predisposed to learn, that is, they are able to achieve learning goals more quickly and with less effort than others. It’s not much different from running: some people are more talented than others.
Beyond personal predisposition, every individual is naturally oriented towards learning; even in the face of serious injuries. An old pedagogical saying goes that anyone can learn anything, as long as they are given the time to do so.
Although this is a principle that every learning specialist should follow while developing skill-building or rehabilitative treatments, we all know that some disorders can significantly reduce an individual’s learning opportunities. Essentially, this is what happens in children with learning difficulties such as:
– Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia
– Dyspraxia
– Hyperactivity
– Attention disorder
– Other types of disorders (language, etc.)
In these situations, a person encounters some obstacles to learning, which can be addressed and overcome through specific interventions.
Now that we understand how information is processed and what obstacles can be encountered, let’s delve into the other synonyms of learning.
3. What does it mean to know
The concept of knowing and the concept of learning are often used as synonyms, but they actually have slightly different meanings. As we have seen, learning means acquiring new knowledge or skills. Learning is therefore an active process of acquiring new information and abilities. For example, a child can learn to read, an adult can learn a new work technique, or a car enthusiast can learn how a new engine works. In other words, learning involves acquiring new knowledge or skills that one did not previously have.
On the other hand, knowing means already possessing information about something. Knowledge can be enriched, which happens through direct experience and observation, but also through other channels, such as reading or listening. For example, one can know the history of a place, a character, or a principle of physics. In other words, knowing implies a sort of familiarity with a topic already learned in the past.
Apparently, it may seem like a small detail, but there are significant differences between the two. In essence, knowing implies already having pre-existing knowledge, while learning consists of acquiring knowledge or skills. Knowing is essentially the starting point for learning (starting from innate behaviors), but it is through learning that new knowledge is acquired.
For example, in an effective educational approach, personalizing the study method must be useful to promote the exchange between learning and knowledge.
This difference also influences how the acquisition of information or skills is evaluated. In brief, it can be said that while knowing can be evaluated based on the quantity and quality of the information already acquired, learning is evaluated based on the ability to acquire new information or skills and apply them in different situations.
4. What does it mean knowledge
We come to the last of the most common synonyms of learning, which is knowledge. Knowing and knowledge are two closely related yet distinct concepts.
Knowing refers to the ability to recognize, identify, and understand objects, people, events, situations, and so on. In other words, it is the mental act of integrating new information and old knowledge through the senses and thought, and with which the individual constructs a mental image of the world.
In general, knowledge refers to the information and skills acquired through study, experience, and reflection. In other words, knowledge is a set of information and competencies that a person possesses and that enable them to understand the world and act in it.
An important difference between knowledge and knowing is that, in some respects, the former implies a greater degree of awareness and reflection than the latter. Indeed, knowledge requires processing information that goes beyond the mere retention of information.
To give you a very concrete example, it can be said that it is possible to know something without knowing how it works or why it is important, but it is not possible to know something without knowing at least some of its aspects.
In other words, knowing is the necessary basis for the development of knowledge, which goes beyond mere knowing and requires further skills: analysis, synthesis, and understanding of acquired information.
5. How to learn in the best way to know and to increase knowledge and skills
As I often say, increasing one’s knowledge is one of the most important and rewarding activities in life. If you have come this far, I imagine you want to understand how to make your child learn in the best way to increase their knowledge. Here are some strategies I suggest:
- Motivation to learn: curiosity is the lever that favors the best learning. Being motivated to learn something new can make us feel energized and engaged. Therefore, it is important to find what interests and motivates us to cultivate learning and knowledge.
- Experience: having meaningful experiences in different fields is an essential aspect of consolidating and applying what has been learned. Having experiences also means experimenting with new strategies, and this is a great way to learn (using a new musical instrument, exploring a new environment, reading a book on a topic never dealt with before…).
- Self-control: knowing oneself and one’s limits is a fundamental aspect of learning, because everyone learns in a different way from other individuals. Self-control helps to observe oneself better and become aware of one’s abilities and learning styles. Moreover, it allows to organize one’s time better and above all to manage distractions.
- Collaboration: research explains that cooperative learning is a very useful strategy to promote effective learning. The more a person is used to collaborating with others, the more opportunities for learning they encounter. Interacting with others allows us to see things from different perspectives and to learn from the experiences of others.
- Technology: technology today has evolved a lot and is a very powerful tool for learning. There are many online learning programs, video tutorials, and apps that are useful for promoting learning and stimulating new knowledge. We just need to be careful to give meaning to the use we make of these tools; otherwise, we risk using a tool as an endpoint rather than a starting point. I develop this topic well with parents who have been following me for some time.
In conclusion, learning, knowing and knowledge can be strengthened thanks to the combination of different elements, such as curiosity, experimentation, self-control, and more. By using these strategies, it is possible to create the best foundations to allow the child to expand their knowledge in a way that is useful to their daily and professional life.
