1|Page
EDS3701 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) 185541 -
DUE 8 May 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 2
2. QUESTION 2.1: WHAT IS LEARNING? (3 MARKS) ................................................................. 2
3. QUESTION 2.2: TYPES OF LEARNING (37 MARKS)............................................................... 2
3.1 Classical Conditioning ............................................................................................................. 2
3.2 Operant Conditioning ............................................................................................................... 3
3.3 Observational (Social) Learning ............................................................................................ 4
3.4 Cognitive Learning .................................................................................................................... 5
3.5 Experiential Learning ............................................................................................................... 5
4. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 6
5. LIST OF REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 6
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1. INTRODUCTION
Learning is central to all teaching processes and educational practices. For teaching to
be considered effective, it must result in meaningful learning that leads to changes in
knowledge, skills, attitudes, or behaviour. In educational institutions such as the
University of South Africa (UNISA), understanding how learning occurs is essential for
educators to design effective teaching strategies and for learners to achieve academic
success. This assignment defines learning and critically discusses five types of learning,
supported by relevant examples and academic sources.
2. QUESTION 2.1: WHAT IS LEARNING? (3 MARKS)
Learning can be defined as a relatively permanent change in behaviour, knowledge,
skills, attitudes, or understanding that occurs as a result of experience, practice, or
interaction with the environment, rather than as a result of maturation alone (Illeris,
2018).
From an educational perspective, learning involves the active construction of
meaning, where learners interpret new information based on prior knowledge and
experiences (Ormrod et al., 2020). Learning is therefore not merely the memorisation of
facts, but a process that enables individuals to apply knowledge in different contexts.
In summary, learning:
Is a continuous process
Results in observable or measurable change
Occurs through experience and interaction
Can be intentional or unintentional
3. QUESTION 2.2: TYPES OF LEARNING (37 MARKS)
3.1 Classical Conditioning
EDS3701 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) 185541 -
DUE 8 May 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 2
2. QUESTION 2.1: WHAT IS LEARNING? (3 MARKS) ................................................................. 2
3. QUESTION 2.2: TYPES OF LEARNING (37 MARKS)............................................................... 2
3.1 Classical Conditioning ............................................................................................................. 2
3.2 Operant Conditioning ............................................................................................................... 3
3.3 Observational (Social) Learning ............................................................................................ 4
3.4 Cognitive Learning .................................................................................................................... 5
3.5 Experiential Learning ............................................................................................................... 5
4. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 6
5. LIST OF REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 6
, 2|Page
1. INTRODUCTION
Learning is central to all teaching processes and educational practices. For teaching to
be considered effective, it must result in meaningful learning that leads to changes in
knowledge, skills, attitudes, or behaviour. In educational institutions such as the
University of South Africa (UNISA), understanding how learning occurs is essential for
educators to design effective teaching strategies and for learners to achieve academic
success. This assignment defines learning and critically discusses five types of learning,
supported by relevant examples and academic sources.
2. QUESTION 2.1: WHAT IS LEARNING? (3 MARKS)
Learning can be defined as a relatively permanent change in behaviour, knowledge,
skills, attitudes, or understanding that occurs as a result of experience, practice, or
interaction with the environment, rather than as a result of maturation alone (Illeris,
2018).
From an educational perspective, learning involves the active construction of
meaning, where learners interpret new information based on prior knowledge and
experiences (Ormrod et al., 2020). Learning is therefore not merely the memorisation of
facts, but a process that enables individuals to apply knowledge in different contexts.
In summary, learning:
Is a continuous process
Results in observable or measurable change
Occurs through experience and interaction
Can be intentional or unintentional
3. QUESTION 2.2: TYPES OF LEARNING (37 MARKS)
3.1 Classical Conditioning
