Learning vs. Development — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 5, 2024
Learning is the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience or education, while development is a broader process of growth, improvement, or change in physical, emotional, or intellectual capacities.
Difference Between Learning and Development
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Learning typically involves the intake and assimilation of new information or skills, primarily through educational processes or experiences. On the other hand, development encompasses a wider array of changes across physical, social, emotional, and intellectual domains.
Learning can occur in specific instances and settings, such as classrooms or training programs, focusing on particular skills or knowledge areas. Development, however, is more continuous and holistic, often occurring over longer periods and encompassing various life stages.
The outcomes of learning are usually measurable, such as acquiring a new language or mastering a technical skill. Whereas the results of development can be broader and more complex, such as enhanced problem-solving abilities or improved emotional resilience.
Learning often requires intentional effort and is driven by external instruction or self-directed study. In contrast, development can be a more natural, sometimes unconscious process influenced by a range of environmental factors and personal experiences.
Effective learning can contribute to personal development by providing the tools and knowledge necessary for growth. Conversely, overall development enhances an individual's capacity to learn by expanding their cognitive and emotional abilities.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Acquisition of knowledge or skills.
Growth or improvement in overall capacities.
Focus
Specific skills or information.
Holistic changes across various domains.
Measurement
Often quantifiable (e.g., test scores).
More qualitative (e.g., behavioral changes).
Process
Intentional and often structured.
Continuous and often natural.
Outcome Influence
Enhances specific abilities.
Enhances overall capacity.
Compare with Definitions
Learning
Acquiring skills through professional courses.
She is learning digital marketing through an online course.
Development
Maturing in physical capabilities.
The child's motor skills are rapidly developing.
Learning
Gaining new knowledge through study.
She enhanced her expertise by learning advanced calculus.
Development
Enhancing career through continuous learning.
He is developing his leadership skills through a management training program.
Learning
Understanding new concepts through exposure.
Children are learning basic physics by playing with toys.
Development
Evolving emotionally through experiences.
Through counseling, he is developing better coping mechanisms.
Learning
Memorizing information through repetition.
They are learning the periodic table for their chemistry exam.
Development
Growing socially through interactions.
They are developing their communication skills by participating in group discussions.
Learning
Adopting new behaviors or skills through practice.
He is learning how to play the guitar.
Development
Expanding intellectually over time.
Her critical thinking skills have developed significantly at university.
Learning
Learning is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, attitudes, and preferences. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, animals, and some machines; there is also evidence for some kind of learning in certain plants.
Development
The process of developing or being developed
The paintings provide evidence of his artistic development
She traces the development of the novel
Learning
The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught
An important learning process
These children experienced difficulties in learning
Development
An event constituting a new stage in a changing situation
I don't think there have been any new developments since yesterday
Learning
The act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill.
Development
The process of converting land to a new purpose by constructing buildings or making use of its resources
Land suitable for development
Learning
Knowledge or skill gained through schooling or study.
Development
The process of starting to be affected by an ailment or feeling
The development of brittle bones
Learning
(Psychology) Changes in behavior resulting from experience, especially changes due to conditioning.
Development
The process of treating photographic film with chemicals to make a visible image
Agitation is carried out while a film is processed to ensure even development
Learning
(uncountable) An act in which something is learned.
Development
The process of bringing one's pieces into play in the opening phase of a game
I sought to take advantage of Black's defective development
Learning
(uncountable) Accumulated knowledge.
The department head was also a scholar of great learning.
Development
The application of techniques or technology to the production of new goods or services.
Learning
(countable) Something that has been learned
Development
The business of constructing buildings or otherwise altering land for new uses.
Learning
Present participle of learn
I'm learning to ride a unicycle.
Development
A significant event, occurrence, or change
A news story covering the latest developments in the scandal.
Learning
The acquisition of knowledge or skill; as, the learning of languages; the learning of telegraphy.
Development
A group of dwellings built by the same contractor
Bought a condo in a new development built by the river.
Learning
The knowledge or skill received by instruction or study; acquired knowledge or ideas in any branch of science or literature; erudition; literature; science; as, he is a man of great learning.
Development
The organized activity of soliciting donations or grants; fundraising.
Learning
The cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge;
The child's acquisition of language
Development
Elaboration of a theme with rhythmic and harmonic variations.
Learning
Profound scholarly knowledge
Development
The central section of a movement in sonata form, in which the theme is elaborated and explored.
Development
(uncountable) The process of developing; growth, directed change.
The development of this story has been slow.
Development
The process by which a mature multicellular organism or part of an organism is produced by the addition of new cells.
The organism has reached a crucial stage in its development.
Development
(countable) Something which has developed.
Our news team brings you the latest developments.
Development
A project consisting of one or more commercial or residential buildings.
Development
The building of such a project.
Development
(uncountable) The application of new ideas to practical problems (cf. research).
Our development department has produced three new adhesives this year.
Development
The active placement of the pieces, or the process of achieving it.
White's development is good, but black's has been hampered by the pawn on e5.
Development
(music) The process by in which previous material is transformed and restated.
Development
(music) The second section of a piece of music in sonata form, in which the original theme is revisited in altered and varying form.
Development
(math) The expression of a function in the form of a series.
Development
The act of developing or disclosing that which is unknown; a gradual unfolding process by which anything is developed, as a plan or method, or an image upon a photographic plate; gradual advancement or growth through a series of progressive changes; also, the result of developing, or a developed state.
A new development of imagination, taste, and poetry.
Development
The series of changes which animal and vegetable organisms undergo in their passage from the embryonic state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of organization.
Development
The act or process of changing or expanding an expression into another of equivalent value or meaning.
Development
The elaboration of a theme or subject; the unfolding of a musical idea; the evolution of a whole piece or movement from a leading theme or motive.
Development
A tract of land on which a number of buildings have been constructed; - especially used for tract on which from two to hundreds of houses have been constructed by a commercial developer{4} for sale to individuals.
Development
Act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining;
He congratulated them on their development of a plan to meet the emergency
They funded research and development
Development
A process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage);
The development of his ideas took many years
The evolution of Greek civilization
The slow development of her skill as a writer
Development
A recent event that has some relevance for the present situation;
Recent developments in Iraq
What a revolting development!
Development
The act of making some area of land or water more profitable or productive or useful;
The development of Alaskan resources
The exploitation of copper deposits
Development
A district that has been developed to serve some purpose;
Such land is practical for small park developments
Development
A state in which things are improving; the result of developing (as in the early part of a game of chess);
After he saw the latest development he changed his mind and became a supporter
In chess your should take care of your development before moving your queen
Development
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level;
He proposed an indicator of osseous development in children
Development
Processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible;
The development and printing of his pictures took only two hours
Common Curiosities
What are common methods of learning?
Common methods include formal education, training programs, and self-study.
Is development limited to childhood?
No, development continues throughout a person’s life, although it may be more rapid during childhood.
Can learning impact personal development?
Yes, learning can significantly contribute to personal development by enhancing knowledge and skills.
How does development differ from learning?
Development is a broader, more holistic process encompassing physical, emotional, and intellectual growth.
What is the primary goal of learning?
The primary goal of learning is to acquire specific knowledge or skills.
Is all learning intentional?
While most learning is intentional, incidental learning can occur through unstructured or unplanned experiences.
What role does environment play in development?
The environment plays a critical role, influencing development through various factors like social interactions and physical conditions.
Can development occur without formal learning?
Yes, development can occur through natural experiences and personal growth without formal learning.
How can development be measured?
Development is often assessed qualitatively through observations of behavior and emotional maturity.
What is the difference between cognitive development and learning?
Cognitive development is the growth of mental processes, while learning focuses on acquiring specific knowledge or skills.
How does social development interact with learning?
Social development can enhance learning by improving communication and collaborative skills.
What influences a person’s learning style?
Factors include cognitive abilities, educational background, and personal preferences.
Why is emotional development important?
Emotional development is crucial for managing stress, building relationships, and maintaining mental health.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
