Ausubel’s Theory of Learning
Difficult to say, powerful when implemented.
Hey friend
Welcome to 200 Word Tuesdays. Where we give you short, actionable ideas to implement in your project management. We promise that you haven’t heard these powerful ideas anywhere else. Let’s get started.
David Ausubel’s Theory of Learning explains how we learn new ideas by connecting them to what we already know. He said that for learning to be meaningful, the new information needs to fit into our existing knowledge. This knowledge acts like a framework where new ideas can be “anchored.”
Ausubel believed there are two types of learning: rote learning and meaningful learning. Rote learning is just memorizing without understanding. Meaningful learning happens when new ideas connect to things we already understand, making it easier to remember and use.
For example, if you are learning about photosynthesis, it helps to already know about plants and how they grow. Without that background knowledge, the new idea can feel confusing or random.
Teachers can help by finding out what students already know and building on that. They can also explain things step by step and give examples that make sense. This makes it easier for students to understand and remember the material.
Ausubel’s theory shows that learning works best when we connect new knowledge to things we already know. It’s like adding new branches to a tree—you need the trunk and roots to hold them up.
See you next week,
Jonathan (The Effective Project Manager)
Great point. It’s also true for leaders. If your team isn’t picking something up, it might not be because they’re not trying. It could be because you haven’t linked the new idea to something they already know. Context makes learning click.