Between heredity and environment, which contributes a larger affect to learning? This is a question that has resulted in rise of characteristics versus nurture controversy all over the world. As the infinite debate continues on, teachers and parents should understand that genetic factors placed the limit of a given trait (e. g. brains) but the environment determines how much the potential can be came to the realization as Ngaroga (2003) mentioned. Hence, it is essential for both teachers and parents to embark much on provision of any rich and stimulating environment to their children in order to maximize their intellectual talents so long as learning can be involved.
Definition of Terms
Learning
Myers(2001) described learning as relatively long term change in organism's behaviour due to see.
Ngaroga (2003) identified learning as a relatively permanent change in tendencies which comes because of this of practice of an activity.
Blair-Broeker (2003) described learning as a relatively long term change in behavior due to see.
Heredity
Ingule, Rono and Ndambuki (1996) identified heredity as child's individual inheritance from his ancestral brand.
Intelligence
According to Coon (2000) intellect can be an overall capacity to think rationally, react purposefully and package effectively with the environment.
Stimulation
According to Ormrod (2009) stimulation is eagerly interacting with ones physical and cultural environment.
Question 1: Explain how heredity and environment effect learning
Effects of Heredity on Learning
According to Ormorod (2009) Heredity affects learning because:-
It lays the foundation for the intellectual probable or capability of an individual.
Each individual inherits different kinds of intelligences from other parents. Some inherit analytical intellect others prowess in creative cleverness and functional intelligences. Parents and teachers should therefore monitor and identify their children's potential domains, nurture and develop them.
It determines maturation which really is a factor affecting learning. Unfolding of genetically directed changes as the child builds up for example basic engine skills e. g. walking, operating and jumping emerge primarily as a result of neurological (brain) development, increased power and increased muscular control changes that are largely determined by inherited biological instructions.
It determines personality e. g. temperament.
Children seem to acquire distinct temperaments almost from beginning. Temperament of a person dictates standard activity level, adaptability, persistence, adventurousness, shyness, inhibitedness, irritability and distractibility. Nature greatly impacts learning.
Ngaroga (2003) explained that hereditary factors arranged the limit of a given characteristic (e. g. intelligence) however the environment determines how much the can be understood.
Ngaroga (2003) also mentioned that mental retardation during pre-natal period can be induced by heredity factors. Mentally retarded learners have problems in all academic areas and have short attention course.
Ngaroga (2003) added that heredity factors such as albinism and colour blindness may lead to loss of vision which plays an essential role in learning. Loss of perception can highly have an impact on learning. 1
Myers (2001) wrote that heredity contributes 50 to 70 % intelligence within several people. It really is intellect that determines the ability to learn.
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Effects of Environment on Learning
According to Myers (2001), Clinical tests that compare children reared in neglectful conditions including those associated with poverty and malnutrition with those who have been reared in normal surroundings point to impact of environmental activities on intelligence ratings. Findings regarding Head start and other pre-school programs signify that high-quality programs can make short-term cognitive benefits and long-term results. Recent studies also provide facts that schooling and brains have an optimistic reciprocal influence on each other.
Ngaroga (2003) wrote that insufficient nutrition to moms and children e. g. insufficient adequate Vitamin A can lead to loss of eyesight. This can certainly minimize learning result.
Similarly, Ormorod (2009) wrote that environment impacts IQ of a person e. g. moving a kid from a neglectful, impoverished home environment to a more nurturing, stimulating one (e. g. through adoption) can result in IQ increases of 15 point or more.
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Question 2: Discuss how teachers and parents can offer a rich and stimulating learning environment with their children
Ormorod (2009) defined "a wealthy and rousing learning environment" as the environment which makes a learner eager in interacting with his physical and communal environment. She groupings learning environment into two categories:-
Physical learning environment established up
Psychological environment
She provides following general ideas in provision of proper, rich and stimulating learning environment.
Communicating acceptance, care and attention and respect for each and every student.
Human beings seem to be to have important need to feel socially connected with others. Teachers can help meet students' need for relatedness by demonstrating, through many little things they actually, that they care about and respect students as people. Effective communication creates a two-way dialogue journal where students exhibit their thoughts and feeling, ask questions and request assistance.
Creating a goal-oriented businesslike (but nonthreatening) atmosphere.
Although caring relationships with students are essential, teachers and students alike must recognize that they are at institution to get certain things accomplished. Accordingly, a relatively business atmosphere should prevail in the school room most of enough time. This is not to state that class activities must be boring and tedious. On in contrast, they should be interesting and participating, and they will often even be interesting. Entertainment and thrills should not be thought of as goals in and of themselves, however. Somewhat, they are means to a more important goal: understanding academic subject matter. Learning environment shouldn't be uncomfortable or threatening.
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Creating a feeling of community and belongingness
A learning environment in which the educator and students constantly work together easily help each other learn. ultimately instructor also needs to create a feeling of community in the training environment-a sense that they and their students have distributed goals are obviously respectful and supportive of one another's attempts and assume that everyone makes an important contribution to learning process. Creating sense of community engenders thoughts of belongingness. Students see themselves as important and appreciated members of the city.
Communicating regularly with parents and other major caregivers
Productive parent-teacher human relationships enhance students experiencing and achievements in the learning environment. Parents and other caregivers provide information about current circumstances at home or effective motivational strategies.
Keeping students productively employed in useful tasks
An effective tutor should plan lessons and learning activities. He should also plan specific means of keeping students on job. The subject subject should be produced interesting and highly relevant to students' beliefs and goals. A educator should also try as much as possible make an effort to use colourful audiovisual aids, conduct novel activities e. g. small group discussions, school debates, or occasionally moving to a new location.
To keep students productively involved a educator can do the next:-
Have something specific for students to do every day, even on the first day of the category.
Have materials organized and equipment create before course.
Conduct activities that ensure all students involvement and contribution.
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Kabiru and Njenga (2007) who appear to acquire almost similar strategies in provision of any wealthy stimulating learning environment as Ormrod (2009)but they emphasized much on Maslow's theory of self-actualization where basic needs seem to be to be a key in provision of the rich and rousing environment.
They suggested the following additional items as constituting a rich and revitalizing environment-:
Providing quality nourishment because of their children.
Parents must ensure that they offer adequate balanced diet for the children. Quality nutrition ensures that the child's brain develop properly. Aswell, proper nutrition means that children are healthy and develop a strong immune system. It also means that children have energy to participate in learning activities e. g. play, explorations, experimentation and manipulation
Provision of quality health care for children.
The parents should ensure that the children are totally immunized from the immunizable diseases. They should also monitor their growth, health and healthy position and treat and every condition promptly. Proper sanitation and clean normal water are essential.
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Conclusion
As a teacher, it is important to understand the consequences of both heredity and environmental factors on learning. By so doing, a tutor can maintain a posture to plan and place a proper environment for learning for his or her learners. In addition, this knowledge can permit teachers recommend parents and offer possible answers to factors affecting educational performance with their children at institution.
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