Chapter 2: Learning Theories

In this chapter, we have collated some of the theories that underpin current thinking on learning and development. You may be familiar with these; however, we include them as a reminder, or for those of you who have not been exposed to them previously.

Theory of competence

This theory states that learning is a four-stage process, which involves the journey from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence.

Unconscious incompetence

This is where you are unaware that you do not know something or cannot do it “ it is the ˜I don t know what I don t know level. There is probably little need or requirement for you to have the skill or knowledge in question and this is why you have not yet developed the awareness of your lack of competence. For example, as a very young child in a car you will have been aware of travelling from one place to another in the car, but may not have realized that you didn t know how to drive “ so were unaware of the inability.

Conscious incompetence

This is where you become aware of your lack of capability, usually because a need or desire to do something has arisen. This is the stage of ˜I know what I don t know . Back to our example “ as a teenager who can t drive you become aware of constantly asking for lifts to get to places and are acutely aware of your inability to drive.

Conscious competence

To become consciously competent, you will go through some form of learning “ either formal or informal. Often at this stage you will do things in exactly the way you have been shown how to do them (subject to your memory). You are aware at every moment of what you are doing “ you ˜know what you know . Back to the driving example “ say, for example, that at 17 you have driving lessons and duly pass your test; for a while you will still be thinking ˜mirror, signal and manoeuvre “ you have to think about how to drive.

Unconscious competence

This is where your knowledge and skills have been used so often they are ˜habits “ you don t need to think about the next part of the process to carry it out, as it is stored in the unconscious (or subconscious ) part of your brain. It is the ˜I don t know what I know . When you have been driving for a few years it will have become second nature. Say, for example, you try to teach your child to drive “ you are unaware of the detail of what you do when you drive as it is ingrained behaviour.