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
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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! |
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