Approaches to learning
Approaches to learning
Learners do not always approach learning in the same way.
According to Marton and Säljö (1976) and later expanded by Entwistle (1981), there are three main learning approaches, each shaped by motivation, context and perception of the task.
1. Deep Approach
This approach is driven by a genuine interest in understanding and connecting ideas. Learners aim to make meaning by:
- Engaging critically with material.
- Relating new information to prior knowledge and experiences.
- Seeking patterns, principles and concepts that underpin facts.
- Examining and questioning assumptions.
In clinical education, this might look like a student who doesn’t just memorise symptoms but asks why they occur and how they interrelate.
2. Surface Approach
Here, the goal is to meet minimum requirements, often driven by fear of failure. Characteristics include:
- Memorising facts without understanding them.
- Focusing narrowly on what will be assessed.
- Accepting information without questioning.
- Reproducing rather than processing knowledge.
Surface approaches can be reinforced by high-stakes exams, unclear expectations or overwhelming content loads.
3. Strategic Approach
Strategic learners aim to achieve high performance. They are typically:
- Organised and focused on assessment outcomes.
- Skilled at managing time and resources.
- Tactical about what they study and how they present it.
This approach is not inherently shallow - strategic learners can be deep thinkers when it aligns with achieving high standards.
References
Marton, F. and Säljö, R., 1976. On qualitative differences in learning: I—Outcome and process. British journal of educational psychology, 46(1), pp.4-11.
Entwhistle, N., 1981. Styles of learning and teaching. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 98, pp.6-86.
Reflection Point:
Think about your learners: What kinds of cues or conditions in your teaching environment might encourage a surface, deep, or strategic approach?
Have you ever intentionally changed your teaching strategy to promote deeper engagement? What was the outcome?
