ABSTRACT
As educators, we often wonder why some students find it difficult to learn whereas others find it easy. Why are students better equipped to learn some skills but not others? Why can’t all students learn all skills equally well? Student learning differs because student learning traits differ, and because the thinking process differs depending on what the student is trying to learn. First, student learning traits differ. Individuals vary in their aptitudes for learning, their willingness to learn, and the styles or preferences for how they learn if they choose to. These differences impact the learning process for each student. That is, these learner traits determine to some degree if and how well any individual is able to learn. Second, the nature of the thinking and learning processes varies with the task. The outcomes of learning require that students think in different ways. Third, learner traits interact with learning outcomes and the thinking requirements entailed by them. Different learners will have varying aptitudes for different learning outcomes. This first chapter briefly describes these differences in traits and learning outcomes:
