Week 8 Reflection: Learning Theories and Instruction
Throughout the past eight weeks of this course, I have deepened my knowledge of how people learn, including myself, which will help me in the field of instructional design. I was most intrigued to further understand adult learning and motivation in this course. I have gained some helpful tools I can utilize in these areas for when I do become an instructional designer some day. First, I will briefly discuss what I found surprising as I furthered my knowledge about how people learn.
Several areas which I found surprising as I advanced my knowledge about how people learn is how behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism is connected to instructional design as learned from week one of the course. I was also surprised to see the connections between each of the theories as I answered the questions and completed the Learning Theory Matrix each week. By completing the matrix, I now have a deeper understanding of how each of the theories relate to instructional design. Lastly, I was surprised to learn about how the ARCS model relates to motivation, confidence, and performance. I enjoyed reading the articles during week eight about the ARCS model, especially the article from John Keller about computer-based instruction and distance education. The tables in the article were helpful and assisted me with understanding how the ARCS model can assist in the development and success of distance education (Keller, 1999). Next, I will discuss how this course has expanded my understanding of my personal learning process.
The resources throughout this course, along with the discussions each week have given me the opportunity to fully understand my personal learning process. By reading the materials each week, participating in the discussions, and completing the Learning Theory Matrix, I was able to connect my own learning style to each of the learning theories. For example, I can relate my learning style to the behaviorist and cognitive theories when looking at the role of memory. I will retain and remember the information better if I am able to practice and have periodic review of the information, as well as being able to organize the information in a meaningful way. When it comes to learning, I find my style relates to the constructivist and social theories. I have found I learn from experiences and understanding society. It can be more difficult for me to learn and retain the information if I am unable to relate the information to experiences. Next, I will discuss what I have learned regarding the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation. I will also discuss how this course will help me as I further my career in the field of instructional design.
Throughout the course, I have learned the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology and motivation all play a role in how people learn and retain information. The learning theories and styles provide those in education and instructional technology with the tools to help understand the different ways in which people learn and how to make meaningful connections with the materials created for education. In regards to educational technology, I have learned in this course that although technology plays a significant role in today’s education and is constantly evolving, the material is still the same. This concept will be important for me to remember when I do become an instructional designer in the future. I have also learned in this course how important motivation is when people are learning and retaining new information. It is not simply enough to present the information, but it also must provide the learner with reasons to want to learn the material and motivation to retain what they have learned. All of the resources for this course I have learned from will be valuable to me as I prepare for a career in instructional design. The information is practical and can be utilized over time.
All the Best to everyone in the next course!
Jackie
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
EDUC 6115 Week 1 Blog: Fitting the Pieces Together
Fitting the Pieces Together
After reflecting on my posting from the course in week one, here are my answers to the questions below:
1. Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed? With all of the learning theories and styles I have learned throughout this course, I now have a more detailed view on my learning than compared to week one. I can see how my learning connects to each of the theories and syles various ways, depending on what I am learning at the time.
2. What have you learned about various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain your own personal learning preferences? After reviewing the various learning styles and theories, I have been able to further explain my own personal learning preferences. I can now see my preferences falling frequently in the cognitive, social, and adult learning theories. During week one, I did not quite make the connections between these learning theories and my learning preferences until this week.
3. What role does technology play in your learning (i.e. as a way to research information, to record information, to create, etc)? I know technology plays an extremely important role in my learning. I grew up knowing about technlology at such a young age both while I was in school and after school as well. I use the Walden library and the internet to research information for my course work and own personal development. I also utilize technlogy to record all of my readings, assignments, and discussions for class, so I can refer to them at a later time. I organize each of my classes accordingly by each week of learning, so I can easily retrieve the information. I also utilize technlogy when creating items to help me learn and retain the information for current and future memory.
All the best!
Jackie
After reflecting on my posting from the course in week one, here are my answers to the questions below:
1. Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed? With all of the learning theories and styles I have learned throughout this course, I now have a more detailed view on my learning than compared to week one. I can see how my learning connects to each of the theories and syles various ways, depending on what I am learning at the time.
2. What have you learned about various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain your own personal learning preferences? After reviewing the various learning styles and theories, I have been able to further explain my own personal learning preferences. I can now see my preferences falling frequently in the cognitive, social, and adult learning theories. During week one, I did not quite make the connections between these learning theories and my learning preferences until this week.
3. What role does technology play in your learning (i.e. as a way to research information, to record information, to create, etc)? I know technology plays an extremely important role in my learning. I grew up knowing about technlology at such a young age both while I was in school and after school as well. I use the Walden library and the internet to research information for my course work and own personal development. I also utilize technlogy to record all of my readings, assignments, and discussions for class, so I can refer to them at a later time. I organize each of my classes accordingly by each week of learning, so I can easily retrieve the information. I also utilize technlogy when creating items to help me learn and retain the information for current and future memory.
All the best!
Jackie
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Connectivism
Hello Everyone,
Here is my completed Mind Map for week five below. I will be posting my reflection by the end of the week.
Reflection:
1. How has your network changed the way you learn? With the various tools available, I have the ability to learn information from more than one source. The network I use allows me to see how learning has changed, and also what has remained the same through the years.
2. Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you? The best tools for me to learn from is the videos. The videos are effective for me because they combine the audio and visual elements of learning. Since I am an auditory and visual learner, the videos provide me with both mediums of learning.
3. How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions? There are various ways in which I can gain new knowledge when questions arise. With the help of the dicussions, I can rely on my classmates and instructor to help make the concepts and material more clear. I also utilize the resources, Walden library, and my network of online resources to help me gain new knowledge and clear up questions.
4. In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenats of connectivism? Based on the resources from this week, my personal learning network helps to support the central learning tenats of connectivism. The knowledge contained in the network contains diverse opinions from various individuals. Also, the network provides the ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts.
All the Best!
Jackie
Here is my completed Mind Map for week five below. I will be posting my reflection by the end of the week.
Reflection:
1. How has your network changed the way you learn? With the various tools available, I have the ability to learn information from more than one source. The network I use allows me to see how learning has changed, and also what has remained the same through the years.
2. Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you? The best tools for me to learn from is the videos. The videos are effective for me because they combine the audio and visual elements of learning. Since I am an auditory and visual learner, the videos provide me with both mediums of learning.
3. How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions? There are various ways in which I can gain new knowledge when questions arise. With the help of the dicussions, I can rely on my classmates and instructor to help make the concepts and material more clear. I also utilize the resources, Walden library, and my network of online resources to help me gain new knowledge and clear up questions.
4. In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenats of connectivism? Based on the resources from this week, my personal learning network helps to support the central learning tenats of connectivism. The knowledge contained in the network contains diverse opinions from various individuals. Also, the network provides the ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts.
All the Best!
Jackie
