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.