Domains of learning

Robert M. Gagné
1972 Interchange: A Quarterly Review of Education  
In planning educational research, recognition needs to be made of rive domains ot learning; (1) motor skills, (2) verbal information, (3) intellectual skills, (4) cognitive strategies, and (5) attitudes. In being cognizant of these domains, the researcher is able to distinguish the parts of a content area which are subject to different instructional treatment. He becomes better able to relate the instructional procedures of one subject to those of another. Also, in identifying domains of
more » ... g, he recognizes that each requires different techniques for assessment of learning outcomes. Although the five domains are the primary categories which limit the generalizability of conclusions about the learning process, other very obvious characteristics impose limitations as well. Sex and race have been extensively analyzed as have environmental and cultural differences. Age deserves further consideration to show not only what the differences in learning are but why they may be expected to occur. Because the process of learning for a student at one age is likely to be very different from that of a student of another age, differential plans for different ages becomes of critical importance. Clear thinking about the process of learning will be enhanced when researchers recognize necessary distinctions about learning that define the limits within which generalizations can and should be made. (WY)
doi:10.1007/bf02145939 fatcat:q6mt2tnchrcq3h4uwgnmv7pafe