Reflection Piece

            I have always been the type of person that embraces a challenge, and strives to consistently improve myself on a daily basis. Thinking about this course, I can say that I feel that I have been challenged, and have grown as a learner. Learning is the acquisition of increasingly complex structures of learned capabilities that build on prior learning (Ormrod, Schunk, & Gredler, 2009). I was able to access what I already knew about how people learn, and acquire new knowledge throughout the course of this class. After learning such a wealth of knowledge on how people learn, I feel I can move forward with my goals of changing careers to get involved in the field of Instructional Design and Technology.

            While discovering about how people learn, I found a couple of things that were surprising or striking. Originally, I thought that everyone learned differently, and very specifically. For example, I thought there was really only one or two ways that worked best for each person. I also thought that teachers or instructional designers had to modify their instruction to each learner. However, since I have completed this course, I have realized that we utilize many different strategies when acquiring knowledge. Learners construct their own meanings for themselves and from the contexts in which they live (Ormrod, Schunk, & Gredler, 2009). What works in one situation, might not work in another, so learners have to know which strategies to use in those circumstances. I was also surprised to realize that I tend to teach according to how I learn, instead of assessing what will work best for the learners in my class. A good trainer can use activities, instruments, or discussion to discover how students prefer to learn (Elkington, 2011). Knowing that I need to differentiate my teaching styles will help me grow as an educator.

            Originally, I thought my own personal learning style revolved around auditory measures. In high school, and college, I could just listen to the teacher or professor and be able to remember the information. Because of that, I truly had concerns about online learning since it would involve so much reading with nothing to hear. I chose the online learning option to accommodate my schedule, and I do not regret my decision. However, I have had to vary my learning strategies since the courses are so heavily based on reading and discussion with colleagues. My metacognitive skills have expanded as well. Metacognition literally means thinking about thinking (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). When I do not understand something, I have to go back and figure out how to solve it which will broaden my problem solving and learning skills.

            After completing the learning matrix, I could easily see how the learning theories can be connected or even overlap with each other. Technology can be an extremely useful tool to help any learner acquire knowledge. I try to incorporate technology into my teaching every day as I can see how it will benefit each learner in various ways. Another idea that I noticed was how the theories can almost build upon each other. For example, as an elementary education teacher, I tend to use more of the strategies from the Behaviorist theory, but as the students get older, they tend to need more Cognitive and Constructivist skills. Then, as adults, they will venture into the Social and Adult Learning realm, as well as being able to use the ideas from the Connectivist theory. With any of these theories, motivation is vital. Motivation is something that energizes, directs, and sustains behavior; it gets students moving, points them in a particular direction, and keeps them going (Ormrod, 2008). If a learner is not motivated, you will not get to see what they are truly capable of.

            Moving forward from this course, I plan to incorporate what I have learned into my current career, as well as into my future career goals. My goal is to get out of teaching and into the field of technology in some way. I would like to stay in education, but not stay in the classroom. Now that I have the learning theories and more technological tools under my belt, I can easily see ways to use that to further my career. If I end up in the field of Instructional Design, all of the theories and concepts revolving around technology and motivation will play a key role. I would have to think about the goal of the lesson, or course and utilize as many strategies as I can to keep the learners interested and attentive.

            When I first started this course, I felt very overwhelmed and worried that I would not be successful in completing it. However, now that it is over, I feel challenged in a good way. I am walking away with much more knowledge that I came in with. This will help me in future courses as I can recall this prior knowledge and use it to complete my Master’s degree, and better myself. Being a lifelong learner, these courses will do nothing but benefit me in my pursuits. I would like to end with a saying from Confucius. “Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous” (BrainyQuote.com, 2011).

References

BrainyQuote.com. (2011). Learning Quotes. Retrieved October 30, 2011 from

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/learning.html

Elkington, Don. (2011). How do People Learn? Retrieved October 30, 2011 from

            http://www.gdrc.org/kmgmt/learning/how-people-learn.html

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Information Processing and Problem Solving

            [DVD]. In Series Title. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Ormrod, J.E. (2008). How Motivation Affects Learning and Behavior. Retrieved October 30,

            2011 from http://www.education.com/reference/article/motivation-affects-learning-behavior/

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning Theories and Instruction (Laureate

            custom edition). New York: Pearson.

Week 7 Post


After assessing my progress in this course thus far, I have seen quite a bit of change and growth. During the course of our class, we studied six different learning theories which have greatly broadened my understanding of how others learn, as well as myself. For the first week's discussion, I stated that I learn best auditorily. However, after reading about Adult Learners, I feel that I relate more closely to that idea. I feel that I have demonstrated the principles of Adult Learning especially well in this class. Adults have accumulated a foundation of life experiences and knowledge that may include work-related activities, family responsibilities, and previous education. They need to connect learning to this knowledge/experience base. To help them do so, they should draw out participants' experience and knowledge which is relevant to the topic. They must relate theories and concepts to the participants and recognize the value of experience in learning (Lieb, 1991).


I tend to use a combination of several of the learning theories in my learning. I utilize some of the behaviorist ideas when teaching my elementary school class. I especially use the concepts of positive reinforcement and feedback. The instructional designer/instructor will provide the stimulus for learning to occur. The instructor provides the rewards, goals, information, structure, reinforcement, and feedback. The instructional designer/instructor must determine which cues can/will elicit the desired response (http://eev.liu.edu/). While working in my coursework, and in my personal life, I use a combination of Connectivism and Cognitivism. I stay connected to others through Facebook, and the Walden Portal. Cognitively, I have to rely on background knowledge and previously learned material. For the cognitivist, learning is equated with discrete changes between states of knowledge. Learning is concerned with what learners know and how they come to acquire it (not what they do behaviorally) (http://eev.liu.edu/). Knowing that there are many different avenues I can take to learn and teach will benefit me in the future. 


My understanding of technology has also deepened tremendously. Just figuring out the right tools and programs I needed to create the Learning Matrix was a big eye-opener for me. However, now that I have it completed, I can see how the matrix helped me to compare the learning styles so well. Prior to this course, I relied only on the textbooks and course readings to get my citations. Now, I feel completely comfortable searching the internet to acquire my information. I know that as I continue along in my Master's work, I will be prepared to venture into a different career, which was my original goal. 

References

Eev.liu.edu., Learning Theories: An Overview. Retrieved October, 2011 from http://eev.liu.edu/know_base/index.htm

Lieb, S. (1991). Principles of Adult Learning. Retrieved October, 2011 from http://www2.honolulu.hawaii.edu/facdev/guidebk/teachtip/adults-2.htm

Connectivism


I had always traditionally learned by using textbooks, and taking notes. With the advancement of technology, I find myself utilizing my computer to expand my learning more. The computer, and more specifically, the internet have opened so many doors to the world of learning. If I do not understand something or want to research it further, all I have to do is type one or two words into the Google search bar and I am taken in many different directions. Information abundance requires that we offload our cognitive capacity onto a network of people and technology. Secondly, the recognition that technologically, our networks are incredibly rich right now, whether it's a mobile phone, whether it's a computer, whether it's access to a database, but we're seeing a significant explosion in how we start to connect with other people, but also how we connect with data sources (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). I would say that between work and home, I spend the majority of my day using my computer in one way or another. While at work, I use it to keep up with emails from coworkers. I also use the computer and projector in my classroom to pull up videos or power points online to show to my students. It absolutely amazes me how many resources there are available on the internet to use when educating my students.


When at home, my computer usually sits by me to use when necessary. Whether connecting with others on Facebook, or keeping up with incoming emails, I like to have the access available. There is no doubt that I am a Facebook "junkie". I guess I thrive on making and keeping those connections with others wanting to know what is going on in their lives. Social networks, driven by technological networks, have similarly transformed communication, news, and personal interactions (Connectivism.ca, 2010). Facebook has allowed me to get back in touch with friends I had not seen since college or even elementary school. I believe that everything we do and say can be a learning experience. Often times, on Facebook, people post things that can show me a new way to do something. The groups that I have joined or liked post links to new ideas that can expand my way of thinking. Our knowledge literally is distributed across other networks of human beings, technological devices, and other ends (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).  While at home, I also tend to have the Walden Portal up which I periodically refresh to read incoming discussion posts, or blog entries that are updated through Google Reader. 


My personal learning network supports Connectivism because according to Stephen Downes (2011),  Connectivism is the thesis that knowledge is distributed across a network of connections, and therefore that learning consists of the ability to construct and traverse those networks. Between Facebook, the internet, my work and Walden, I am staying connected with the world of technology and all who interact within that world. 


References


Connectivism.ca (2010). Teaching in Social and Technological Networks. Retrieved from http://www.connectivism.ca/?p=220


Downes, S. (2011). What is Connectivism? Retrieved from http://cck11.mooc.ca/week1.htm


Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Connectivism. George Siemens (Video): [George Siemens].

Here is my Connectivism mind map. Later in the week, I will create a blog post about how my connections facilitate my learning. If you are unable to see the image, the link to my webspiration page is underneath the mind map.




http://www.webspirationpro.com/view/1001874a1accb