Week 8 Assignment

• What did you find surprising or striking as you furthered your knowledge about how people learn?

I’ve learned so many things throughout this course semester that I previously had no knowledge of.  I think the number one thing I have learned from this class is that learning is a unique experience and that it is different for each individual student.  One of the things I find surprising is the various views presented in the different learning theories.  It is easy to become preoccupied with the validity of one learning theory over the next, but each has its part to play in the learning process.  I honestly believe it depends on what is being taught and to whom. Everyone does not learn the same way and where one theory of learning may work great for some it may not work so well for others.

• How has this course deepened your understanding of your personal learning process?

This course has deepened my understanding of how I learn personally by having me rethink and reevaluate my own learning process.  I now have a better understanding of how I learn and what influences have an effect on my learning, influences such as time, technology, and motivation.  In addition, from my readings in this course I can say that one of the learning theories that best describes me is cognitivism.  Cognitivist view learning as an internal mental process where the focus is on building intelligence and cognitive development.   The individual learner is more important than the environment.  Cognitivism describes how I learn because I react well when information is organized in a way that I am able to connect new information with existing knowledge, in a meaningful manner.

• What have you learned regarding the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation?

One of the things that I’ve learned is that learning theories, learning styles, educational technology and motivation, all work collaboratively.  When we began this course, I thought that learning theories and learning styles were the same and were interchangeable, but I’ve learned that they are not. When providing instruction, we must consider all of the information that we have at our disposal when attempting to motivate students.  We need to understand how students learn because this is the essential to providing effective instruction, in the educational technology field, as well as in general classes, and this effective instruction will be based in learning theory and will also appeal to the various styles of learning.  It is also important to use technology so that students have opportunities to learn in many different ways which can serve as a motivating factor. 

• How will your learning in this course help you as you further your career in the field of instructional design?

My learning in this course will help me in a variety of ways as I further my career in the field of instructional design.  For one thing. I look forward to allowing my students to incorporate technology into their learning.  For example, using the internet to search for information, or maybe one day using Virtual Reality headsets to fully immerse themselves in the content in class.   Additionally, from learning about the different learning theories and styles I will be cognizant of the students in my class and how to “reach” and motivate them based upon their personal preferences and learning process.

Week 2: Neuroscience and Information Processing....

For this week’s assignment I was asked to locate at least two resources (Web sites and/or online journals) on this week’s topics: the brain and learning, information processing theory, and problem-solving methods during the learning process, and to comment on the value of these resources.  The two that I chose are as follows.

http://www.learning-theories.com/ 

Listed here you will find guides on the different learning theories and useful tools.  Within each link, for example the information processing theory link, you will find a lot of information about the learning theories including a summary of the learning theory and key concepts of the theory.  Also provided here are links to other useful resources that are relevant to the learning theories.  I see this site to be a valuable resource.

http://www.simplypsychology.org/information-processing.html

The second website that I utilized this week also focused on information processing theory and the brain. This article stands as a resource because for one thing it is clear and very easy to understand in addition to offering diagrams and other types of models along with its content, to further aid in understanding the content. I think this article will be extremely beneficial to anyone studying information processing.

Integrating Technology

* Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed?

Throughout the past couple of weeks, I have learned many things relating to the different learning theories and learning styles.  I think the number one thing I have learned from this class is that learning is a unique experience and that it is different for each individual student.  That being said, my views on how I learn have not changed much from week 1 of this class but I have a better understanding as to why I learn the way that I do.  

Behaviorism and Cognitivism are still the two learning theories that best describe how I learn.   I say behaviorism because I respond well when I receive immediate feedback and positive reinforcement, when tasks are broken down into small steps, and I can pace myself in an assignment, building from the most fundamental to the more complicated concepts.  Cognitivism also describes how I learn because I react well when information is organized in a way that I am able to connect new information with existing knowledge, in a meaningful manner



* What have you learned about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain your own personal learning preferences?

I’ve learned that there are many different learning styles and theories and these can evolve, they are not permanent.   Everyone has a combination of learning styles and some people may find that they prefer one style of learning to the next. If you have a less dominant style, then you can improve it with perseverance, as well as to further develop styles that you already utilize.  There is no “right” style, rather just different individuals with different preferences.

My personal learning style is logical- mathematical and behaviorism and cognitivism can further be explained by such.  Behaviorism in that I believe that in order to achieve higher-level skills you have to build upon the lower level skills in mathematics, I believe that learning takes place when it is broken down into smaller pieces while involving repetition, memorization and practice.   Cognitivism can also be explained by such because in mathematics, being proficient requires being able to use prior knowledge, for example skills such as mathematical operations, from one situation and to apply it in another, for example word problems.

* What role does technology play in your learning (i.e., as a way to search for information, to record information, to create, etc.)?

Technology plays many roles in my learning.  The two that are the most forefront are as a means to search for information, such as the internet search engines, blogs, and reference data, as well as a means to present information, for example blogs, word processors etc.  

Connectivism

 

 

 

• How has your network changed the way you learn?

As a current educator I gather so much of my daily learning resources through my colleagues, websites and other facets of my network.  Through technology (the internet) social networking has become a daily part of my life.  My network allows me to discover information in comprehensive ways because I have the opportunity to interact with individuals to exchange thoughts, and plans.  These resources have allowed me to gather valuable information. 

As a student in an online community, I have gained new knowledge and understanding from my courses. Here I have learned a lot from course reading materials, instructor, resources and assignments, and cohorts

 

·         Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

Online search engines best facilitate learning, in my opinion, because they allow you to learn anything that you need to know.  The internet has various ways of guaranteeing that you get all of the information that you require.

 

• How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?

When I have questions I utilize many of the resources in my network.  Firstly I’ll ask my friends/family if it’s a personal question.  If the question is work related I may seek answers through the internet by researching information about the questions that I have.  Asking questions is very important to learning

 

·         In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?

One of the main beliefs of connectivism is that people learn through the networks they create, and this is supported through my personal learning networks.  My networks allow the use of technology to transfer information between myself and other individuals.

 

Big Dog Little Dog

 

Big Dog Little Dog is a blog maintained by Donald Clark.  On his blog he posts articles mostly about performance and learning.  It is full of different categories that might interest a new instructional design learner with categories that include methods to think like a leader, training, pedagogy, and learning methods , just to name a few. This blog is the perfect place to find strategies, tips, tricks and resources to enhance your e-learning skills.  In addition it provides e-learning resources and examples for success.  This blog is very useful and I can see myself using it to search for guidance, answers and to gain insight into the instructional design field .

 

The Rapid E-Learning

This blog is maintained by Tom Kuhlmann who has over 20 years of experience in the training industry.  This blog shares practical tips and tricks to help individuals become an “e-learning pro.”    It provides everyday solutions to current matters in today’s Instructional Design environment.  This blog provides a list of posts intended to support building courses that help people learn.  In addition it provides interesting articles for designers to read, and free eLearning resources to utilize. One of the most important resources included in the blog is a list of workshops and events that new designers can choose to be involve in.   In my opinion this blog really provides an immense amount of knowledge for the eLearning journey and “how-to” posts to facilitate this journey.

 

The eLearning Coach

The eLearning Coach is a blog that references eLearning tools, technologies, tips and tricks.  This blog focuses on e-learning and it shares concrete eLearning strategies, product reviews, design tips and information.  In addition it provides links to further eLearning and designing resources and tools around the web.  Provides posts that explore the key elements of instructional design to help learners think through how to build courses that truly help people learn.