WPW Learning Model Analysis

“Human learning is one of the most complex subjects of the scientific and scholarly world” (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2015, p. 233). If human learning is so complex, why are schools and classrooms not ruled by scientist who have attempted to master the concept of human learning? Not only is human learning beyond multifarious, but also general knowledge of the human brain is commonly unknown. “Consequently, neuroscience literacy (i.e., a general understanding of the brain) may protect against incorrect ideas linking neuroscience and education” (Dekker, Howard-Jones, & Jolles, 2012, par. 6). So what does this mean for educators and education in general? Thankfully there is ample research that suggests the learning process is deeply understood …show more content…
(Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2015, p. 238)
The WPW Learning Model depends on the first whole just as much as the second whole, and with out both pieces, maximum learning cannot take place. The WPW Learning Model does not end when the second whole is complete. “Ending instruction upon the completion of the final part leaves the learners with unorganized and vague traces of the preceding parts” (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2015, p. 238). Like many teaching and learning strategies, the process cannot end once the learning takes place. The newly attained information should be ingrained into the mind of the learner in an organized and useful manner. The instructor directs the organization of the newly learned information and the organization should be similar to that of the first whole in the WPW Learning Model (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2015, p. 238). It is at this point that the individual parts of instruction “take on new meaning within the whole” (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2015, p. 238). All of the pieces come together and the puzzle finally illustrates a picture, and this picture is both well understood and pertinent. Similar to other learning models, …show more content…
“The whole-part-whole perspective is useful for the overall design of learning programs of any length- total courses as well as for short learning experiences” (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 2015, p. 233). Knowles, Holton, and Swanson (2015) also discuss the WPW Learning Model as a strategy that is easy enough to be used by learners as well and inexperienced educational professionals. Human learning may be a complex subject, but as long as educators understand the learning process, successful learning can and will take place at both the pedagogical and andragogical