My Blog List

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Reflection




     What I found surprising as I furthered my knowledge about how people learn is all the information and the depth of each, level and sublevels providing an insight that learning and humans are complex and depending on the number of different learning/environmental scenario a triggering factor of (X) amount of learning combinations (learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivations) can be used to design curriculum to satisfied an individual’s ability to maximizes their comprehension of the learning event.  The most important thing I learned is that you will not be able to factor each student’s learning method a 100% but by understanding the basic foundation of all the learning theories and how the other elements work together you will be able to define common learning patterns that best suited for the content and the majority of your target learning population (i.e. age, knowledge level, experience, ect).

     How has this course deepened my understanding of my personal learning process?  Before this course I thought I knew how I was able to learn new information but after these pasted eight weeks, I now realize that I only had a limit amount of knowledge about how I learned.  I have discovered that I use a combination of all the theories depending on the content or learning environment but I favor the learning styles of auditory and Tactile/Kinesthetic.  Explaining why I have a hard time staying focused and sitting still during long lectures and why I recall information if I hear it virus reading it first.  Never realized why I can recall some learned information and can’t remember; other information as if it was on the tip of my tongue.  I learn best when I can relate the information to past experiences, the foundation of the Constructivist Theory and Cognitive Theory.  I also found that I could learn faster if information is expressed in a group setting, sharing each other’s in trepidation utilizing the Social Learning Theory.  I learned that at different times my motivation it triggered by the “need for approval” to gain of acceptance and respect of my knowledge from my peers as well search for knowledge just to know, the “need for achievement” motivation.

     What I have learned these eight weeks regarding the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation; is two things first, in the beginning each theory was thought to be a new discovery, independent of each other.  Second they are in my opinion all parts and pieces of a whole in terms of how the brain intrepid, implies and stores information allowing a human to learn and function as they grow (e.g. steps of learning, the higher the step the deeper the learning).  They seem to me to act together as a learning evaluation; each piece addressing required action supported by a specific and/or combination of a mean (s), reinforced by a form of motivation, each when used properly increases the likely hood of recall.

     How will my learning in this course help me as I further my career in the field of instructional design?  This course will help me tremendously because with this new knowledge and skill that I have learned from this course about the different foundation of learning theories and how the other elements work in support of maximizing the learning effects for the student.  I now have as they say a deeper understanding of how to use “my tool in my toolbox” as well as a conformation that what I suspected about how human’s is true; inspiring me to feel confident to be more creative in my development of my future designed curriculum and to be open to the possibility that a learning solution might be just right outside the box of traditional instructional design.  I will end this with some inspirational quotes that I thought summed up my thoughts about what I have learned from this course:

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail by Abraham Maslow
You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives by 
Clay P. Bedford
Aim for success, not perfection.  Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.  Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism by David M. Burns

Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each by Plato 

21 Inspirational Quotes on Education by Henrik Edberg:  http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2007/04/20/21-inspirational-quotes-on-education/

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Learning Theories Adventure

I have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, and to be honest it was sometime overwhelming all the information associated with each of them but it opened my eyes that learning is simple and complex; as well as learning occurs as an individual and/or in a group environment. I never put much thought into the assumption that learning is consent, and why we forget learned information but I have to admit I was surprised to find out the answer.  I learned a little bit about my own personal learning style, my strengths and weakness and how they work with my learning style preference.  All of this information has provided me with the insight to design better lessons for my student’s by understanding how different people learn and how to apply different or use a combination of strategies/theories/learning styles to design my lesson; providing the optimal benefit to my students.

      I have learned that I swing back and forth between several different theories (of Behavioral, Constructivist, Social and adult learning theories) depending on the subject or the learning situation.  I also discovered that I pull more towards the audio learning style and that I recall information better when it is relevant and familiar to me or I when I can discuss it with others.

        The role that technology has played in my learning was a very big surprise, I never was good with technology (Internets and blogs) or open discussions, and I was comfortable with the   same old methods of transferring knowledge with lectures and PowerPoint.  I never gave much thought to how new technology can help improve my lessons (never having access to the tools), or how I could reach more students, tapping into their best method of learning.  As mentioned previously (audio learner), I was sinking with all the required reading but I was able to reinforce my reading with YouTube video on the same subject, allowing me to hear the subject being presented, reinforcing my understanding of the information I was reading. The use of discussions allowed me to open up and share my thought; taking a change to express myself.  No matter what the level of my knowledge was at the time because the learning environment was safe to collaboration with my peers, everyone share their thoughts and experience allowing me the opportunity to grow my knowledge level.  I can see how the use of technology will benefit my students and help to improve my lesson designs.

    

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Connectivism

My Link to: Connectivism Mind Map (click to view)
http://www.mywebspiration.com/publish.php?i=672248a5e29
Connectivism theory as defined by George Siemens, as a drive by which the individual understand that “decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations” (Siemens, 2005, para. 24).  Translate that as technology changes rapidly in today’s environment or as new information is discovered the learner must be able to filter though an overload of information to be able to determine the difference between important and unimportant information.  More importantly having the critical capability of realizing when new information becomes key altering previous made decisions.
Connectivism Theory is made up of a combination of three components: chaos theory, importance of networks, and the interplay of complexity and self-organization.


Chaos Theory:  Defining that related and unrelated events that seem uneventful; when study as a whole reveals patterns of relevance beyond the initial event itself, (Salmon, 1999, para. 5).  Creating what is referred to as “sensitive dependence on initial conditions” (1987, p.8).

Networks:  Analyzing rapid innovation of technology brings up a realism factor that we may no longer have to ability to learn and experience every part of a learning event and my creating networks will be able to share new ideas through developed communities and individual people expanding learning as a group; sharing viewpoint of learned experience bridging learning gap. (Siemens, 2005, para. 21).

Complexity and Self-Organization:  As Heylighen (2008) describes that learning is a balance of interactions that can’t be defined as only “order and disorder” but are based on the interacting agents and the degree of unpredictability and uncontrolled of the interaction that produces “global coordination and synergy”.  As defined by Luis Mateus Rocha (1998), she defines self-organization as a “spontaneous formation of well organized structures, patterns, or behaviors, from random initial conditions” (p.3).

As represented in my Connectivism Mind Map, I depict how my network has changed the way I now learn new information.  My mind map helped me to draw the conclusion the components of connectivism: Chaos, network and complexity/social-organization are being used by me to transfer knowledge.  My adventure starts with my “Social Network” that I can collaborate with them to clarify learning points and share ideas; bridging my learning gap with their personal knowledge and experience.  This diversity of individuals representing friends, and professional that toggles back and forth as mentors/coaches and friends/peers solidifying my understanding of the learning activity.  In this group environment allows me access to a knowledge based of information experts in field of my interest to ask questions and bump ideas off of them.  I utilize technology as my digital tools of YouTube, discussion board and Internet access to help me research information from other user to clarify information in my quest to seek knowledge.  Attending institution of higher learning, sharing case studies with other students allows me to also network gaining conformation of understanding as well as another perceptive of the information.  All of these tools within my network help me to address the complexities of learning.  As information changes the need to understand how to be flexible as a learner; understanding any decisions made today may no longer be correct tomorrow and that with technology is victim of “Half-Life”. With the capability to filter through important and unimportant information furthering my understanding of the new information. Tying all these components with my ability to “self-organizes” based on my learned behavior of my culture and the values that I have learned along the way; with my life learning experience allows me to draw from my interactive agents to learn new information.

In conclusion:  Connectivsm type of learning is useful and effective utilizing its components and is supported by my conclusion but I still prefer classroom environment guided by an instructor lead program.  This type of environment is most comfortable to me due to my limited “Social Network” in my new profession. 



Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Good Day of Learning

I learned a lot about blogging this week; I learned that I wasted a day pulling my hair out on the wrong blog page.  I found out from my good, best, best friend who I will call “D”, who in two minutes told me that somehow, I had created two different blog accounts (with the same information) and the page that I was trying to work from wasn’t the correct one.  With my new knowledge I had to fix some things but had a little time to have some fun with my page; some of you will probably notice a new look; I found out how to add a splash of color to jazz it up a little (let me know what you all think). 

My special thanks, “D” for being home and seriously saving me and share your blogging knowledge with me.  Thanks

Working on this week’s assignment I found two articles as reviewed below, here what I found:

1.  Article “Understanding a Brain-Based Approach to Learning and Teaching”, (http://www.coe.iup.edu/grbieger/classes/curr910/Readings/Brainbasedlearning.pdf) that I found very interesting, each passage the article provides a brief summary of the principle theory and then related the principal to how it applies to learning.  Food for thought for me was “Principle Two:  Learning Engages the Entire Physiology”, (which I already knew) with statement “learning is as natural as breathing” and continues on but what made me stop a second was his comment about stress management how it effects the brain and interferers with learning (which I also knew).  What I didn’t consider is that I should consider incorporating stress management ideas into the learning process.  Food for thought as to how I would accomplish in my process.

2.  Building a Circuit-Diagram for the Brain – You Tube (Jennifer Raymond, Stanford University), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kRrarRR2kk. 
A worthy viewing, this 12 1/2 min. clip, gave a great overview of Dr. Raymond’s ongoing research of the different parts of the brain and how learning is conducted in these areas.  Her team is currently focused on the Cerebellum region of the brain and its effects on cognitive learning ability on humans.  Her presentation contain just the right amount of humor and was refreshing; informative as she explains how the brain process the information that the eye sends to area of the brain as input and how the circuits process this information creating an output of learning. 

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Blog Assignment: The Doorway to Professional Learning Communities


1.  Reflections on Multimedia Design and Technology


My first Blog, Reflections on Multimedia Design and Technology was very informative and provided me with a deeper understanding of the benefits of multimedia in regards to instructional design.  The Blog addressed some of the misconception of multimedia that its common use as cool interactivity tool or game is far from the total picture of the benefits of its intended value.  The Blog outlines that multimedia actually falls in line with cognitive learning theory and understanding these principals will help you to understand why some presentation medias work with your lessons and others don’t have the desired outcome you intended.  The Blog’s main point is that multimedia is a very useful tool and when understood and used properly can improves the effectiveness of your presentation as she puts it creating a “robust learning opportunities”. 

I think this site will be very helpful as a resource ongoing because of her insight into multimedia, I would be able to join in her blog asking questions and get her opinions on different perceptive of out of the box techniques used by multimedia’s.

2.  Anne Cauley’s Blog:  When They Won’t Give an INCH: What Trainers Need to Understand about Culture Change


My second Blog, When They Won’t Give an INCH: What Trainers Need to Understand about Culture Change was very informative as well, it provide me with some more information as to why change is hard to accomplish, as she titled “The Stubborn May Sabotage”, the Blog goes into more detail as to why change fails due to the level of the desire to change.  Even though the Blog is mainly addressing “Trainers”, I felt it had some relevance to instructional designers in that, if we design something different then our customers are use to seeing their may be resistant from them. This Blog would be useful ongoing if this accurse because we (agents of change) are pieces of the bigger picture of change. 

3.  Pathway to Personal Learning


My third Blog, Pathway to Personal Learning provides an overview of a former or a current instructional design student’s discovery of the different learning theories and how she/he applies these theories to her/his own learning styles; continuing to a Blog regarding her/his reflection of the whole experience, identifying what she/he has learned.  This Blog provided me with some clarification; helping me to put things in perspective as to what each learning theory broken down means to me.  This Blog was well written and would be very helpful as a resource ongoing to help me with questions regarding learning theories applications.