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.