David Ausubel's Theory of Meaningful Learning: an analysis of the necessary conditions

Abstract

This article presents a bibliographic research centered on a scientific interest on the understanding about the necessary conditions for there to be significant learning in the perspective of David Ausubel.The Meaningful Learning Theory (MLT), proposed by Ausubel, emphasizes that prior knowledge is the factor that most influences students' learning.However, it is worth noting that, despite its influence, prior knowledge is only a necessary condition, but not sufficient for meaningful learning according to the MLT.Thus, the present work points out that for the existence of meaningful learning, in the light of the Meaningful Learning Theory, two essential conditions are also necessary: student's predisposition to learn and potentially significant teaching material.