Alright, so for the past few years I've been "doing" learning/teaching in some form or another.  I've mostly been working with young adults in a technical, post-secondary level setting.  And I think I might have some interesting insights to share.  So, I'll just start out with some real basic (and fun) thoughts.

1.  We never grow-up on the inside.
     Even working with adults, it feels like being at home
     with my kids...crazy.

2. Learning is hard work.
     This goes for everyone whether teaching, learning,
     or providing support.

3.  WHO WANTS TO WORK?!?
     (Especially when you still feel like a kid inside.)

With those things in mind, it is amazing that we have anyone who ever gets a diploma or any sort of degree.  But we do, and somehow, whith all of that, learning happens. 

There has been so much study and codification of learning processes and teaching methodologies, it is amazing we can metacognate about the whole complex issue...  And see if you can find anyone to explain that to you in plain English (or language of your choice).  It is so complex and above the average person, that academics (and various other "big-brain" people) make big bucks trying to just explain what they mean.

Look, let me break down learning to the most simple factors from my point of view.  Then we'll see where further discussions take us.

1.  Teachers must plan for learning to occur.

2. Students must be receptive.

3. The relationship between teacher, student, and material is the key to real success.

4. Despite planning, receptiveness, and relationships learning happens.

5. All the fancy words (metacognition, encoding, clumping, methodologies, Bloom's Taxonomy, etc.) can't really explain why or how learning happens, they can only explain prefered conditions and mechanics.