REFLECTION ON MY JOURNEY EDU 6115-2

As I spent the past few years wondering what I was going to do with my master’s degree in Training and Development. I tried embarking into another career path in the pursuit of a Doctoral degree in Epidemiology. Things were not going well for me, since I was a first time user of obtaining my degree online.  After searching I saw this program, and said I think this will fit right into my Training and Development degree that I have obtained.

 After switching over into this program EDU 6115-2, the first course that I saw was “Learning Theories and Instruction”. I was never fund of psychology, because there was so much to remember about each theory. Some was interesting, such as Piaget, Skinner, and Maslow. I figured this class would be very boring and I would have to motivate myself to continue. I was wrong about my anticipation for this class. It was not boring; my eyes and mind was opened to many new ideas, and my knowledge was deepened in many other areas.

This course has deepened my knowledge regarding the fact that we all have different learning styles and to some degree we may utilize the learning theories dependent on the situation. Initially, learning never happens by itself; an individual learns in a place, event, and in time. Any situation can be a context for learning and an individual’s own learning approach is adapted when they shift from context-to-context. However, change is never constant; therefore, neither is learning.

At the beginning of the course, I wasn’t sure which learning theory I followed and I also had difficulty with comprehending the learning theories. However, having completed a theory matrix, I believe I now have a better understanding of the learning theories. I have learned that I mainly approach learning from a Constructivist’s theory perspective.

Learning occurs from creating meaning from experience. I have also realized that in my learning approach I’ve incorporated some aspects from the Behaviorist Theory (i.e. depending on the task at hand or the course subject, I’d like to know what the outcome is before starting (Ormrod, 2009)), Cognitive Theory (e.g. metacognitively astute (Ormrod, 2009)), Social Learning Theory (e.g. receiving guidance, structure, and assistance (Ormrod, 2009)), and Connectivism Theory (e.g. utilization of technology, social networks, and information (Siemens, 2009 I am now at the end of the course and I’m able to comprehend my own personal learning process better.

There’s a large connection between learning theories, learning styles, education technology, and motivation; they all intertwine. I have comprehended that students, as well as I, have different learning styles, depending on the learning situation and the environment. That allows me to employ and adapt the learning theories accordingly. Utilization of education technology should be integrated into the curriculum to support student learning.

 If we are capable of learning something, motivation often determines whether and to what extent we actually learn (Ormrod et. al., 2009). However, I will integrate Keller’s ARCS model (Keller, 1999) of motivation into my curriculum, which provides effective motivational tactics that are based on the four dimensions (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction) of motivation (Huett et. al., 2008).

My learning in this course has assisted me to further my career in the field of instructional design, because I have learned to truly comprehend how and why individuals have difficulty learning. A successful Instructional Designer will take pieces from each theory of (Cognitivism, Constructivism, and Behaviorism) and integrate it effectively during one’s learning process (Kapp, 2007). In the video “An Introduction to Learning”, Dr.Ormrod (n.d.) explains the way to teach effectively; you've got to know how students learn, and in particular how they think,  what's going on in their heads as they're studying, reading, and responding to questions. Without knowing how individuals think through things, you're not in a good position to help them think more effectively about the subject matter that you're teaching.
 

References:

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.

Huett, J., Kalinowski, K., Moller, L., & Huett, K. (2008). Improving motivation and retention of onlineStudents through the use of ARCS-based E-mails. American Journal of Distance Education, 22: 159-176

Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and About: Discussion on Educational Schools of Thought. Retrieved from

http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Ormrod, J. (2009, September 14). An Introduction to Learning. [Video Production]. [Transcript].

Available: Laureate Education, Inc.

Ormrod, J. (2009, September 15). Information Processing and Problem Solving. [Video Production].

[Transcript]. Available: Laureate Education, Inc.

Ormrod, J. (2009, September 15). Theory of Social Cognitive Development. [Video Production]. Transcript]. Laureate Education, Inc.

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition).

New York: Pearson.

Siemens, G. (2009). Connectivism. In Wikiversity online. Retrieved from http://wikiversity.org/

Posted by Rach at 6:03 PM

FITTING THE PIECES TOGETHER

How has your view on how you learn changed?

My view has not changed my mind on how I learn, but I have learned and adapt new changes to my learning. As an adult learner “self-direction, the need to be actively involved in the learning process, needing to understand the link between what I have learning  and how it will apply to my life, needing to feel that learning focuses on issues that concerns others, needing an informal environment that is respectful, and needing time for self-reflection” (Cercone, 2008, p. 154-159). I have learned to manage my time more effectively, as well as to motivate myself by researching for information that will give me a better understand of the task at hand, and to connect with others more in an online setting. The learning of connectivism has allowed me to learn by closely connecting with learners from their ideas and thoughts, which others brought to the use of the discussion forum online At Walden University Portal.

What role does technology play in your learning (i.e., as a way to search for information, to record information, to create, etc.)?

Technology has made it possible for me to learn. I have utilized technology in all aspects of my life.  In my learning environment and employment I can research information and skim through information to find the most relevant items to keep, after visiting several websites. This class has allowed me to participate with my classmate and to enhance my knowledge of online resources that I was not aware off. As my learning continues I have developed skills by creating Blogsites by using an RSS reader to bring information to me, while exploring numerous other technological resources that is not knowledgeable to me.  The information of gathering and, storing information in collaborative locations for others to use have developed a wealth of skills in my areas of organization. I can look up class assignment online that related to the subject or written assignment.  I would begin by searching key words in the assignment on the internet. If the information is not truly scholarly, then I would turn my attention to the Walden Library and search Academic Premier Journal or EBSCO search for information. Every week I look forward in learning new things in class that benefits my collaboration discussions and shared links to articles, websites, and other media as a result of participation in the Walden University Portal.  I enjoyed creating a networking mind map which has opened my eyes in the connectivism of learning that influences learning, memory, learning that assist with the transferring of information that can be used in instructional design in my community.

What you learn about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain your own personal learning preferences?

Over the past few weeks I have discovered an abundance of information from The 2009 Horizon Report. It was so informative to me that I book mark it for further use.  According, (Levine, Johnson & Smith, 2009) gave me future information, guidance, and many  relevant links in the areas of mobiles, cloud computing, geo-everywhere, personal web, semantic aware and smart objects, all designated as emerging technology within the next one to five years.  I have enjoyed all of these learning theories simple because I did not know this information that I know today from taking this class.

References

Cercone, K. (2008). Characteristics of adult learners with implications for online learning design. AACE Journal, 16(2), 137-159. Retrieved 8/12/12 from http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper-id=24286

Ormrod, J. (208). Human Learning (5^th ed.). New Jersey, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.

Johnson, L., Levine, A., & Smith, R. (2009). The Horizon Report (2009) ed.). Retrieved fromhtt://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/CSD5612.pdf

REFLECTION OF CONNECTIVISM

How Has My Network Chang The Way I learn

As My knowledge increase my network has changed, by allowing me to obtained knowledge through several means. The rate of new information and availability increases every day. While, I am able to make connection and converse with peers through several means: With the use of discussion boards, Email, Skype and other tools. The discussion of class assignments with one another in groups is exceptional, without having to meet face to face. Through my network I am able to research my questions, discover new knowledge, gain different perspectives, and make more informed decisions about the information given. As my knowledge grow with learning, my networks expand with interest.  As the rate of new information and the availability increases, older information becomes obsolete, (Davis, Edmunds, & Kelly-Bateman, 2008) these networks will become more important to the world. It is the wealth of growth that causes me continue so that I can teach others while am an Instructional Designer

Which Digital Tools Best Facilitate My Learning

The best digital tools that facilitate learning for me is my course application, Tecnology Resource, and the Internet. Skype was also a great tool for me to interact with others. The Internet gives me access to libraries, people, websites, blogs, and other resources that I use to learn.  If I did not have the Internet the information that I’ve learned in class from my classmates would never have been possible. By using the Internet and other technology, such as the computer, it allowed me to have access to information rather than several years ago. As technology began to dominate the world, teleconferencing, and webinars allows our business and our social network to connect with each other. As my knowledge continues to grow I would create and incorporate mind map activity into my instructional design course curriculum, so that learners can expand their minds, about networks for learning and sharing information.

The Knowledge That I Gain When I Have Questions

I learn new knowledge by researching information that connects to the learning.  If I have questions I would e-mail the instructor about the understanding of the concepts.  As, I  continue seeking knowledge for my question I would turn to the Internet by using a search engines, such as Yahoo, Google, Wikipedia, etc. Once I have received the results I would see if it matches what I am looking for. Then I would determine whether to search further from the best query that connects to the material or question that I am seeking. Validity of information is very important to my research. If the source is not credible or authentic then I would disregard the information and continue to look further.

My Personal Learning Network Support or Refute the Central Tenets of Connectivism

The knowledge that I have gained from Connectivism is by creating a mind map that has given me tremendous knowledge. It helps me to realized complexity of learning, as I connect things together in my environment, and culture within my network, and how technology is connected to everything. I have realized that how much we learned through our network is very important. The information that is learned today with technology is different than the way we learn in the future. As, adult learners, we must consider these changes and adapt our knowledge to new knowledge. Each of us is unique in our own ways. No theory can state that one is better than the other. (Fenwick & Tennant, 2004) learning is a combination of the information that we gather. (Fenwick & Tennant, 2004). Connectivism presented the need of obtaining information quickly. With the invention of technology and information changing rapidly, networking communities are information that is needed to help us with our knowledge. With the use of my community network I would consider it as “the clustering of similar areas of interest that allows for interaction, sharing, dialoguing, and thinking.”(Kop & Hill, 2008 as cited by Siemens).

References

Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). 

Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved 8/7/2012 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism

Fenwick,T., & tenant, M. (2004). Understanding Adult Learners. In 

G. Foley, Dimensions of adult learning: Adult education and training in a global era. (p. 55). McGraw-Hill Education.

Kop, R., & Hill, A. (2008). Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestiage of the past? International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning, 1-13.

CONNECTIVISM