Plain English Meaning
Students learn well when they are prepared and want to learn. If they are tired, distracted, uninterested, or lacking the basics they need, learning slows down or fails to happen at all.
Full Definition
A principle of learning, formulated by educational psychologist Edward Thorndike, stating that people learn best when they are mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to learn, and that learning is hindered when they are not. Readiness includes having a clear purpose, sufficient background, and a willingness to engage with the material.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor training when discussing student motivation, lesson timing, and how to keep training effective.
Derivation
Named after Edward L. Thorndike, an American psychologist in the early 1900s who studied how people and animals learn. 'Readiness' here keeps its everyday meaning -- being prepared and willing -- but Thorndike applied it specifically to the conditions needed for effective learning.
Why Pilots Care
Flight instructors assess a student's mental and physical state before introducing complex material, reducing frustration and the chance the student will lose confidence.