I have been out of my own Canada for 8 years and lately I wonder if this has been all a blessing or was I cursed when I embarked on this new journey in my life. I left my own country, son Christopher (19 years old at the time), family (Mom, Dad, Brother, Garth and his family (2 nieces) as well as a twin sister Deirdre and her family ( 2 nieces, and a nephew) to start a new life (second chance at life) in desperation and despair to some respect (divorced and having finished a special project teaching position for the school board). I felt it was either leave Canada or die in the city I was born in (Edmonton, Alberta). I remember getting on the plane to go to Emirates to teach in a Canadian International School, not really sure of where the Emirates was but felt a sense of peace and happiness that I hadn't experienced ever before.
Leaving my son was so painful and difficult . |I cried for six months before and six months after I left Canada but it is through my son's encouragement as well as my twin sister I began this journey. Chris told me "He was so proud of me for taking this step and to go." International teaching has not only allowed me to see more of the world, experience different cultures as well as traditions, but to develop an inner resilience, strength and reliance on myself that I never would have developed staying in Canada with my family and friends. This truly has been a blessing for me as I have developed more confidence to make decisions and choices and to trust myself more in terms of my own skills and abilities.
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The course Learning Theories and Instruction, Educ. 6115-3 truly was an eye opener for me in terms of learning about how vital knowledge about learning theories, learning style, multiple intelligences, and motivation can be for an instructional designer. The quote “Learning is a multifaceted process that individuals typically take for granted until they experience difficulty with a complex task” (Laureate, 2009) is so true. The connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation I learned are all important to learning and all intertwined without one component (e.g. Motivation) the learning cannot occur. Information based on the learners best learning style, ultimate learning theory environment, utilizing educational technology to support learning as well as the learners motivation all can lead to successful positive learning for the learner and an effective training process for the instructional designer. Learning is how the brain takes in information (sensory input, working memory, short term memory, encoding information to long term memory. It is all components learned in this course that ultimately ensure encoding of information to be retrieved and utilized to create new innovations, creative ideas, in all environments and situations.
I found out through this course about the learning theory of connectivism. It surprised me that technology plays such a critical aspect in people’s learning here in the twenty first century. I was astonished that for myself I am no longer a learner who learns through books and the traditional classroom setting. I was aware of being an unconventional learner taking courses online to learn but never realized I had all these learning connections. based on educational technology until doing the connections mind map assignment. Previously I thought my ultimate learning environment was based on the cognitivism and constructivism theory now I realize while all the learning theories play a role (Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, Social Learning, Adult learning and Connectivism) changing all the time my own best learning theory environments now I feel are adult learning, social learning and connectivism. This has deepened my own awareness of my individual learning process. It has me realize I do rely greatly on technology to access information from others and other sources around the world. I am an independent, self- driven, highly motivated life long learner. I am not learning for extrinsic motivation purposes at this particular moment (more pay, better and different position). I am in this course learning for intrinsic reasons, self determination, self satisfaction, and the need for arousal (for me this is a basic need). My life experiences add a great deal to my overall learning on any topic and even in online learning I have learned I can make social connections as well I am not isolated but just need to reach out to be heard. I learned in this course new terminology, technology skills, as well as the thinking of an instructional designer. Previously I saw my self as a teacher now I have begun to see myself as an instructional designer seeing areas of need, creating a plan with those involved, implementing the change to reach the ultimate goal (vision and mission statement as well as learning new information). I will use the information on learning theories, learning styles, multiple intelligences and motivation to target individual’s needs and create an individualized plan to enhance their overall motivation and success in learning. “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears and never regrets.” Leonardo DaVinci Learning theories have a great impact on a learner's ability to learn new information and an instructional designers methods for teaching. Recently I stated in a discussion post that " Two general learning theories which best align with my view on learning are cognitive and constructivism". I believe my view has changed now that I have a deeper understanding and knowledge base of the different learning theories, eight multiple intelligences, and various learning styles. Although I was aware of the behaviourist, cognitive, constructionist , learning styles and multiple intelligence theories and strategies I have to admit I was ignorant to the existence of social learning, connectivism, and adult learning theories although I have experience upon reflection in social learning and adult learning theories. The Connectivism theory was completely new to me and opened my eyes to a whole new world involving technology one I had never even imagined before. I could never have imagined even twenty four years ago that I would get most of my learning from social media, websites, online courses (Walden University, and Coursea.org) as well as through blogging. I get most of my own personal learning I realized through connectivism theory ( technology , internet based learning) , adult learning (self- directed and self motivated and learner focused learning), as well as through social learning theory (interactions with others around me).
I have learned from the various learning theories that a learner can engage in them all depending the content they are learning. The learning theory approach can change even in the course of a lesson depending on what content is being taught and depending on the individual needs of the learner. Also learning theories, learning styles and multiple intelligent strengths can change in effectiveness and the one's skills and abilities throughout their lifetime. This may explain why as a child I was horrible in languages and math when taught with a behaviorist theory format (memorization and repetiveness )but as an adult learning languages (Arabic) and math now through a constructivist, social theory , and adult learning format I am successful in gaining knowledge and find my own attitude towards learning is more positive. I have learned "The act of learning itself is no longer seen as simply a matter of information transfer,but rather a process of dynamic participation in which students cultivate new ways of thinking and doing , through active discovery and discussion, experimentation and reflection". Author Susan Aldrige Technology plays a huge in my own personal learning. I am using technology through social media, blogs, websites, digital photography , online learning classes, my own created websites to not only connect with others but to continue to learn about the world around me particularly in the field of education, and the world of Instructional design. I use technology to search for information through google and the various websites. This has allowed me to gain instant information from any location I am currently at. I can access it through my mobile phone or lab top depending which device I currently have beside me. I am able also to access online courses too through my mobile phone and laptop making learning come to me in all environments (home , work , transit on bus to and from work,etc). Social media has become a prime learning base for me by assessing facebook, skype, link in,etc. I am able to record my learning in programs such as microsoft word, microsoft powerpoint, photostory 3 , etc. I am able to share my work through programs like youtube and slideshare. Learning in my world is ongoing and always exciting as I am self-directed in how I utilize the technology finding out what I want to know and how to share it with others. Thanks to Technology I can continue to be a lifelong learner in my own time fitting into my own life (around work and family commitments), with my personal interests and strengths guiding me and advancing my skills as well as knowledge in order to hopefully make a positive difference in the world one day before my death. Lloyd Alexander's quote sums it all up when it comes to my utilizing technology to learn. "We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself." The mind map of my network connections actually startled me and opened my eyes to how my technology network helps me to learn. I actually never thought of myself as a learner utilizing technology until looking my mind map (see below). I was amazed at how digitally learning based I have become outside of this online learning course (websites, blogging, my own websites, social networking sites, etc). I have always thought of myself as a traditional learner (books, formal classroom environment). In college and university (24 years ago ) it was strictly books and magazine articles that I accessed to learn. Since living overseas in third world countries there are few libraries, my network connections allow me to access pertinent information from anywhere I am just by typing in a word or a subject. Learning thanks to my network connections has made learning part of my everyday life and like breathing is a vital part to my existence. I am truly a life long learner. Digital tools which facilitate learning for me include Link in, Twitter, Youtube, Skype, Powerpoint, Facebook, Photostory 3, Shutterfly Coursea.org and Google Search. Thanks to my network connections when I have questions, I use various websites such as www.coursea. org , youtube and google search to seek the knowledge I require . I also network with other professional through Linkin, facebook and other social networking sites to gain the information I require. I am most successful in learning new knowledge when I utilize the various components of the network connections to make a complete picture (eg, websites, blogs, chatting with other professionals on a topic, etc). My personal learning network supports the central tenants of connectivism by demonstrating as stated in wikipedia that "maintaining and nuturing connections is needed to facilitate learning and knowledge. Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes of information source. Learning rests in diversity of opinions. Learning may reside in non human." Through my network connections I seek knowledge through social interactions and accessing different digital tools to see the world in a new exciting way at the click of a button. Technology and connectivism is a blessing that brings in many different pieces to learn new information. I have seen many technological advances and discoveries in my 50 year old life time thanks to my personal network connections I can hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly learn providing nourishment to my academic soul and curious inquisitive nature. Through this learning theory You are never alone! You are stronger and more powerful than ever before. Strength comes from knowledge through digtal tools and other people!
I am a life long learner thanks to my personal network connections. Isn't life grand! The past week I have been searching for new resources (articles & websites) pertaining to problem solving, metacognition, and learning. I must admit this has been no easy feat and at time I was exasperated with frustration and a sense of hopelessness. I couldn't seem to find anything good on the search engine or at Walden University Library databases where I had access that appeared reputable, high quality, and that would be valuable to those in the field of Instructional design. Finally I stumbled upon what I consider two amazing websites that contain not only resources but what what I consider scholarly articles for instructional designers about metacognition, problem solving,and learning. I felt I had hit the mother load. Thought I'd share.
The first resource I found is Problem Solving & Metacognition in Education and Life by Craig Rusbult,Ph.D. At first glance it appears that this is a scholarly article that is as Rusbult elegantly states is about "How we use can use the Design Process to help students improve their Problem Solving Skills (by more effectively combining creatively with critical thinking ) in all area of life, and use Metacognitive Learning Strategies to improve their learning, thinking, and performance?". Once I delved into this article much to my sheer joy , excitement and astonishment in answer to my self driven quest for learning was all these links when I pushed on the blue underlined words which lead to more scholarly information articles. Its like a candy store for instructional designers. It could take years to get through but never boring and and from what I have read to date well worth the time. He emphasizes it is important for students to know how the process of how they are learning, tie in their life experiences in order to promote lifelong learning and provides various strategies for instructional designers to teach this. Rusbult created this website in 2012. Rusbult,C.(2012). Problem Solving & Metacognition in Education and Life. Retrieved from http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/think/education.htm The Second Resource is a website that is called "the elearning coach for designing smarter learning experiences" with Connie Malamed. It is a website specifically for instructional designers to provide information on the following 8 areas. These 8 areas focus on cognition, metacognition, learning not only to enhance students learning but for the instructional designer themselves to keep life long learning on these important topics and provides tools to be able to better teach those they serve. The 8 areas found in the website are: 1)Podcasts-describes various activities with podcasts and I tunes for instructional designers. 2)E learning- covers the topics:Audience.Instructional Design, Learning Objectives, Storyboards,Tests, User Interface). 3)E learning 2.0 - has articles related to online learning for instructional designers. 4)Cognitive -has excellent articles on cognitive learning and the brain. This is where I found this website in the first place when I googled metacognitive and learning it brought me up to here "Metacognitive and Learning:Strategies For Instructional Design" by Connie Malamed. This article is clear, concise ,easy to follow and describes for instructional designers as stated in the article " What is Metacognition? ""The Two Processes of Metacognition Skills"Metacognition and Expertise" "Examples of Metacognitive Skills" and "Metacognitive Strategies". It is a very useful article for building a strong foundation of knowledge. 5) Graphics, Audio, Etc - this section includes areas on audio, authoring tools, graphics and videos. 6)Reviews - reviews include: books, hardware, software and are updated to keep instructional designers learning. 7)Mobile- this section includes advances in mobile phones services and devices especially for instructional designers. 8)Business - Articles for Instructional Designers in the area of business. In all this is a great article and website. One which is provides a clear guide on the path to metacognition and learning for instructional designers with students. I think it is well worth the time to investigate! Malamed,C. Metacognitive and Learning:Strategies For Instructional Design. Retrieved from http://theelearningcoach.com/learning/metacognition-and-learning/ Happy learning everyone! As a nervous 5o year old kindergarten teacher from the era of star trek on the first Tv's and telephones that you dialed numbers. I never imagined blogging to rely information yet here it is .The nervousness so entrenched in me that I read the first assigned wrong in my grad study and wrote 3 more blogs (as follows) to describe three blogs/websites benefical for Instructional designers or those in the Educational Field teaching Technology. Will I ever make it through the second week of the course today is the question today. It seems I have so much to learn. Here in Egypt , a third world country with not much support it's hard. Oh well please look below for my work. Live, Long and Proper Everyone!
This Website created and updated daily by Richard Bryne, High School Educator and many times over various blogging awards has many valuable free blogs, websites, information , and tools for Teachers and Instructional Designers. The website itself is broken into 8 main areas (Ipads Apps For Schools, Practical Ed Tech, Android 4 Schools, Google Tutorials, Free Guides, Alternatives to Youtube, Creating Blogs and Websites, as well as Video Creations).
Each Section includes the following information: Ipads Apps For Schools - Showcases the latest Ipad Apps for student learning. Android 4 Schools - Features different devices for using on androids with students. Google Tutorials - An invaluable resource for creating files as an Instructional Designer or Teacher. One you would utilize again and again. Alternative To Youtube - Gives websites much like Youtube that are designed for teachers and students to share information about topics, assist with lesson planning, provide videos to support learning etc. Exceptional resource for anyone teaching or Instructing others in learning and requiring multimedia to support learning. Practical Ed Tech - Describes upcoming webinars available and practical tips for tech teachers that incorporate current trends and philosophies. Free Guides - Daily adds blogs that incorporate free websites and resources for working in the Classroom as a Teacher or Instructional Designer. Creating Blogs and Websites -Videos and Richard Bryne's presentation blogs on how to create blogs and websites. Video Creations -Videos on how to create videos with students to enhance learning. In all this website is an excellent free resource for gaining information on Technology and Teaching. Instructional Designers would find this site beneficial to stay up on current trends (updated daily) , access webinars to continue on with professional development as well as be able to access Alternatives to Youtube through this site. A valuable resource indeed! http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ Avivia Dunsiger through this blog introduces many new, creative, and innovative ideas related both to teaching (Grade 1) and technology. She uses a personal story format method embedding comments from her actual students about the various topics she is discussing in each blog creating a hilarious story to say the least. Anyone having taught Grade 1, Kindergarten or Lower Primary Grades could totally relate to adventures into applying Grade 1 curriculum with Technology all the while making it age appropriate and hands on assessable. Her topics usually embrace some form of thinking where a new idea for has been created out of student based learning or discovery. This blog site has many blogs already written describing implementation of using blogs with Grade 1 as many other new innovations (Using Google for Keyboarding)with technology and is continually updated. Instructional Designers would find this blog site a fantastic resource to stay up on current trends being utilized in real life classrooms in the area of Technology implication for primary aged students/grade levels. Blogging with Aviva Dunsiger would add to knowledge base and learning over time. Her explanation of her implementation has a way of enhancing the reader to relate similar experiences in teaching, think about use of technology in new light, and promote readers to create their own innovations in their work.
http://adunsiger.com/ This website is an excellent resource for finding educational technology, tools and gadgets. Mr. Gary Hewgley also writes blogs about his work in The American International School in Cairo, Egypt on this website. His position is Technology Manager and he is responsible for running the Tech centre. Mr. Gary Hewgley has a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Math. He is currently working on his Masters in Educational Technology. He has published a book called "Teaching Strategies and The Ipad". His ideas are creative, and innovative. Mr. Gary 's website has a lot to offer if you an Instructional Designer in the field of Education and want to keep up with current trends. His blogs describe newest gadgetry and upcoming online educational conferences. Mr. Gary Hewgley's
describes such topics as "Blending Technology With Constructivism Implications For ELT Classroom" and "Along Week (Difficulties in Technology Implementation In Schools)". This website has links to Mr.Gary's favourite webpages for various resources including rubrics for a tech projects. A must have if you are an Instructional Designer. This website also includes favourite products that are utilized by Instructional Designers or those in the educational field Instructing In Technology as well as projects Mr. Gary Hewgley himself is working on. This website is constantly being updated with new gadgets and resources for Instructional Designers and anyone In the Educational Technology Field. _http://mrgary.weebly.com/ |
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