Relection

In this reflection I look back at the course, Learning Theories and Instruction, and realize how much this experience has furthered my knowledge of learning. Upon entering the course I originally thought of myself as a person who learns most effectively by repetition. After understanding the different learning theories and styles along with understanding what motivates learners as well as instructors I feel like my stance has changed. Learning styles and strategies was an enjoyable lesson for myself simply because of the during the learning resources of that week I realized that I was a learner or more than one style or strategy. Dr Ormrod (Learning Styles and Strategies, 2011) tells us that there are visual learners (learn by seeing) and verbal learners (learn by hearing), also with these learning styles there are strategies that involve elaboration (taking information and doing something with it mentally), and comprehension monitoring (assessing learning progress). Overall through the understanding of those learning styles and strategies has deepened my understanding of my personal learning process but understanding the learning theories had a larger effect on me as both a student and educator.

The learning theories that I studied in this course were similar in some ways but overall provide important insight into learning. Behaviorist Theory is a stimulus based learning process that uses reinforcement to transfer information. Cognitive Theory considers learning as a mental activity and uses information storage and retrieval to transfer information. Constructivist Theory relates the learning material to the student’s personal experiences information is transferred by creating meaning from objects, people, and interactions. Social Learning Theory deals with learning through social interaction with knowledgeable members of society. Connectivism states that learning is knowledge that exists in the world rather than in the head of an individual. To myself Connectivism is the most interesting of the learning theories to myself because of how complex the information transfer is processed, basically the brain operating like a computer (inputs, processing, coding for retrieval and output). Lastly, there was Adult Learning Theory which simply tells us that adults are involved in the planning and evaluation of their instruction while life and work experiences drive the individual’s performance.

The invaluable resources and learning experiences in this course will undoubtedly assist me in my professional career as an instructional designer. Through the learning theories I understand that no one person learns in the same way as the next person. In understanding learning styles I understand that no one person can be taught the same way as another person. But in our lessons in motivation I understand how to tie the learning styles and theories together. Dr. Ormrod (Motivation in Learning, 2011) suggests that motivation occurs when instructors: show enthusiasm, get students physically involved during activities, and always display positive body language.

Again the learning experiences and lessons learned in this course are something I will cherish and look back on fondly. The knowledge gained will be a asset not only professionally but personally as well.

References

 Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003). Adult learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Adult_Learning

Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J. (1993). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 6(4), 50–71.

Kim, B. (2001). Social constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Social_Constructivism

Ormrod, J. (2011). Motivation in Learning. [Video production]. Laureate Education, Inc.

Ormrod, J. (2011). Learning Styles and Strategies. [Video production]. Laureate Education, Inc.

Siemens, George Connectivism: Learning as Network-Creation], Learning Circuits, November 2005. Retrieved from: http://www.astd.org/LC/2005/1105_seimens.htm

Standridge, M. (2001). Behaviorism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Behaviorism

Mae Sincero, S. (Retrieved 2011, Dec 09). What is social learning theory. Retrieved from http://www.experiment-resources.com/social-learning-theory.html

Fitting the Pieces Together

As I look back seven weeks ago as I analyzed my learning style and most importantly how I learn my view of the subject has somewhat changed. As a adult learner, learning by repetition is still important to me but as I studied more and became more involved in the different learning styles and theories I find that establishing meaningful connections is important to my learning as well. After initially studying connectivism you would not hear me say that networking and building meaningful connections were important in my learning process but when I reflect and think about my learning experiences in this online environment (which is still new to me) I can truly say that the connections that I have made within this new network of individuals both instructors and fellow students alike has provided a wealth of knowledge that never knew was possible.

Along with Connectivism both Social Learning theory and Constructivist Theory provide special keys to my learning vehicle as well. Since Constructivism allows us to use our mind to filter information from the world to produce its own reality I realize that in certain situations my mind does the same thing. This is realized when I have produce my own assumptions of a particular subject. In the Social Learning Theory I find this is one of those unconscious learning experiences that we don’t realize that’s going on unless we conceptual what we learn later on. In regards to Social Learning, who doesn’t use facebook, or twitter, or blog in these times and those are examples of social learning to me.

Technology plays a large part in my learning. My Iphone allows me to search for information at any time of day as well as sending and receiving information through emails, video conferences (facetime application), and text messages. My Laptop allows me to further transmit and receive information through discussion boards, emails, and web conferences. Technology has become so important and for myself has become a integral of my everyday life.

My Learning Mind Map (Connectivism)

My learning Mind Map illustrates the various ways that I learn. Within this mind map the internet media and social network portions are fairly new. Through internet media I find that I have access to to more information such as articles or news from different regions of the country and even the world. Social media gives quite a different learning experience. Through social  media I have the opportunity to listen to the more personal thoughts and ideas of other individuals which can be very entertaining, informative, but sometimes thought provoking. To obtain this information my laptop and smartphone are excellent tools to help facilitate my learning. Since both of these devices are mobile I have access to wide array of information at all times of the day. In obtaining new knowledge I would go to a digital source such as gmail, yahoo,  youtube but also I enjoy the old fashioned way of obtaining information by just talking to people. Whether these people are: family, or friends, or even the customers that I encounter at work; the information that could be obtain is invaluable and lets face it sometimes the information passed from person to person cannot be found online. This personal learning network in my opinion follows in the idea of connectivism  because of the multiple impacting factors, the abundant information shared from various sources whether it comes from physical or virtual, and the primary use of technology (Siemens, 2011).

My Learning Mind Map

New Resources!

After some searching I have found two websites that contain valauble information for any instructional designer. These two websites focus on Information Processing Theory and Problem-Solving Skills.

Information Processing Theory
by Rahul Thadani
This website goes into detail concerning cognitive development and attempts to show us how information is recieved, processed, then retrieved in the human brain. Also the information processing model is explained along with the information processing theory.

Problem Solving Skills in Education and Life
By Craig Rusbult
This website contains a wide range of information in regards to: creative and critical thinking skills, multiple intelligences, thinking skills in education, problem solving in design and science, then teaching problem solving skills in education. I found the authors ideas of creative thinking (generating ideas) and critical thinking (evaluating ideas) most interesting. Why does the understanding of creative and critical thinking help the instructional designer?

Doorway to Professional Learning

Hello one and all,
I am pleased to welcome you to join me in a journey of learning theories and experiences in instructional design. This blog is the foundation of what promises to be wealth of knowledge not just for me but for everyone that is involved in the field of instructional design. It is my hope for my readers and I to learn from each other as we grow together professionals and individually. As Ferriter (2009) states “Blogs and wikis are changing who we are as learners, preparing us for a future driven by peer production and networked learning.” Ferriter (2009) also tells us that “ Educators are reflecting on instruction, challenging assumptions, questioning policies, offering advice, designing solutions, and learning together.” Within this blog I will review three resources that I have found to have interesting information in regards to instructional design.



M.K. Smith: Learning Theory
This article is a very informative resource. Smith talks about the understanding of learning attempts to break them down in five categories. Then those categories are broken down into processes which then takes us to our learning theories or orientations: behaviourist, cognitive, humanistic, social/situational.


Richard Culatta: Richards Rants
Mr. Culatta has a vast knowledge of instructional design having worked with K-12, higher education, corporate, and government training environments. Mr. Culatta regularly speaks on educational technology and learning innovations at international conferences including the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), and the Innovations in eLearning Symposium. He has also published in journals including Computing in the Schools and Learning and Leading with Technology. His blog offers advice in microblogging and learning, collaborative writing, and instructional design principles.


Ali Gallagher: design2instruct
Ms. Gallagher is a graduate student at University of Utah studying in the Instruction Design and Educational Technology program. This blog give creative insight in effective instructional design. Since Ms. Gallagher is a student herself I can foresee a shared learning experience between us both.

Again I am pleased to begin this learning experience and beginning this blog experience. After all, communication is necessary for educators interested in renewing their thought process about teaching and learning.