Learning Theories and Instruction – Reflection Paper

            As I reflect upon my eight weeks of learning in course EDUC-6115-2, Learning Theories and Instruction, I must say that I have learned a lot.  I was provided with lots of useful and informative resources to help me participate in discussion boards, blogs, and application assignments.  I will use the knowledge I have gained in my future endeavors and hopefully make my students and myself a better person and instructor.

What did you find surprising or striking as you furthered your knowledge about how people learn?  I found that through the readings and discussion boards, that everyone is different.  Everyone comes from somewhere else and they have different values, views, teaching styles / techniques.  In Stephen Lieb’s PRINCIPLES OF ADULT LEARNING, he writes, “Andragogy is the art and science of helping adults learn.  Malcolm Knowles is the father of andragogy as he proposed five factors involved in adult learning.

The five assumptions underlying andragogy describe the adult learner as someone who:

• Has an independent self-concept and who can direct his or her own learning
• Has accumulated a reservoir of life experiences that is a rich resource for learning
• Has learning needs closely related to changing social roles
• Is problem-centered and interested in immediate application of knowledge
• Is motivated to learn by internal rather than external factors (Merriam, 2001, p.5) ” (Lieb 1991)

 I feel this whole writing describes how adults should learn.  Adults are not children anymore & should not have to have their hand held & told what to do step by step.

How has this course deepened your understanding of your personal learning process?  This course has deepened my understanding of my personal learning process through all the articles, webcasts and discussion boards.  Dr. Toni Bellon and Dr. Richard Oates both from North Georgia College & State University state in their article Best Practices in Cyberspace: Motivating the Online Learner, “Keller (1991) delineated the motivational elements of instruction as encompassing four necessary components: engaging and maintaining student interests, relating course content to student interests, enhancing student confidence in understanding course content, and satisfying students’ inquisitiveness related to information thus encouraging students’ active involvement in learning.  It states in our text book, “when they are in a good mood in an instructional setting, they are more likely to cognitively engage with new material and work hard to make sense of it.”  (Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M., 2009, p.246)   Dr. Jeanne Ormrod states in her Motivation and Learning Transcript, “To learn effectively, you not only have to have the cognitive processes that enable you to learn effectively and to remember it effectively; you also have to want to learn it. But there are ways to evoke interest.  For example, presenting something that's different, that's not what you would expect.”   (Laureate Education, Inc. Producer 2009)

           What have you learned regarding the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation?  I learned that each learning theory, learning style, educational technology and motivation are all unique in their own way.  All have their pros and cons.  Every person is unique and will learn in their own way.  There are not two students that are alike and learn the same.

How will your learning in this course help you as you further your career in the field of instructional design?  What I have learned in this course to help me further my career will hopefully last the rest of my lifetime.  I am not currently teaching, only subbing in my local school district.  There are a vast number of schools that have closed and many teachers were let go.  I would really like to either have my own classroom one day where I can utilize my knowledge and help the students learn and enjoy learning.  I would also like to work in a university or school administrative office.  I feel that my knowledge would benefit greatly in those facilities.  I have a vast knowledge in the computer technology field and this course just enhanced it.

My conclusion in my course reflection is that I have learned a great deal through the provided resources, discussion boards and applications.  My fellow cyber-classmates were very knowledgeable and provided very interesting feedback.  I can say that the adult learners I have interacted with during these past eight weeks have made me a better person.

References

PRINCIPLES OF ADULT LEARNING By Stephen Lieb, Senior Technical Writer and Planner, Arizona Department of Health Services and part-time Instructor, South Mountain  Community College, from VISION, Fall 1991, http://balsontheweb.wikispaces.com/Adult+Learning

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning Theories and Instruction (pp. 241–2 62)  (Laureate Education, Inc. Custom Edition). New York: Pearson.

 

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer).  (2009).  Motivation and Learning. [Transcript].

Blog Assignment: Fitting the Pieces Together

Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed?

According to our text, “learning is not simply an academic exercise; it is of critical importance to both the individual and society.”  (Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. 2009)  Every individual learns in their own way.  Every individual is unique in their own way.  We as humans are different in every shape, form, color, style, etc.  My view on how I learn has not changed.  The methods I learn through, conventional or unconventional, most productively would be through seeing, watching, listening, doing, and trial & error.  I am more of a cognitive learner.  Maybe because of my vast computer background in programming and web designing.  I’m very logical and analytical.  Sometime when I get frustrated, I hope and wish someone would appear and be next to me helping and guiding and telling and showing me what to do and how to do it.  I sometimes shut my computer down and walk away.  That usually works and helps me.  This way I can think away from the computer.

   

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

My personal learning preference is that with learning or retaining new information, I need to physically see how to do something.  In the text, “Bruner described three levels or stages of cognitive development.  The first level is enactive.  Knowledge is present in actions.  The second level is iconic.  A child visually summarizes images.  The third is symbolic representation.  The use of words and other symbols is used to describe experiences.”  (Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. 2009) These stages are present and used by babies, infants, toddlers and all the way up to adults.  I sometimes will draw a flowchart to map out what I have to do or should do or how to do something or how it should be done.  I am more of a visual learner.  Reading about something will give me an idea.  But I really need to see it in order for me to comprehend.  Dr. Jeanne Ormrod states in her Transcript for Information Processing and the Brain, “We do seem to have an amazing capacity to remember what we see, largely in an image form, but in general, visual imagery is a highly effective way of remembering things.” (Laureate Education, Inc.)

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

Karl Kapp states, “Cognitivism was created to document and analyze how humans process information.  The idea is that the learner is a complex information-processing system and to understand how learning occurs, one must understand how information processing occurs within the human brain.”  (Kapp, Karl. 2006 December 28)  I have to agree with this theory also.  Our brains are like the CPU of a computer that’s constantly processing information.  Whether it’s something we see, hear, read, or feel, we are taking it in and processing or storing it for future use / knowledge.  “The designer must have the ability to diagnose and analyze practical learning problems.  The instructional designer cannot properly recommend an effective prescriptive solution without an accurate analysis of the instructional problem.” (Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J.  1993)  Technology plays a huge role in my learning.  I am always searching via Google for other / more information on a topic.  I like creating websites, iAdventures and Wiki pages.  I really do not know what I would do without technology today.  It is so much easier to sit at a computer and Google what you are looking for / need than hop in your car and drive to the library.  Technology is at your fingertips in an instant.  I would be so lost and confused in a library that I would not know where to start looking and what to ask.  It would be more time consuming in a library.  Every minute counts for me.

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson.  Chapter 1, "Overview" (pp. 1–16).

Laureate Education, Inc., [Transcript], "Information Processing and the Brain", Dr. Jeanne Ormrod

Kapp, Karl (2006 December 28). “Definition: Cognitivism.” [Blog message]. Retrieved from http://www.uleduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2006/12/in-1980s-several-theories-of-learning/

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.

Blog Assignment - Mapping your Learning Connections Reflection

Tag:  Connectivism    


     This week, I was asked to develop a mind map that illustrates my network connections.  It shows how these networks provide me with information and support, and how I access different people and technologies to help me learn.

     How has your network changed the way you learn?  My network has showed / given / provided me with vast amount of resources in order for me to grow / expand my knowledge.  It has also given me better ways of learning and using what I have learned in my everyday life.

     Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?  The digital tools that best facilitate my learning would be Google Docs, Google Reader, Google Blogger, and Google Sites.

     How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?  I gain new knowledge by using Google, Google Scholar, Google Reader, Walden Universities resources, Discovery Education, and Wikipedia.

     In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?  According to Wikipedia, "Connectivism is a theory of learning based on the premise that knowledge exists in the world rather than in the head of an individual".  (Wikipedia 2012)  I can say that my personal learning network supports the central tenets of connectivism because there are so many resources and technologies available that I can learn freely at my own pace and choose which resource or technology I want to use.


Wikipedia, (22 October 2012), Connectivism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism
  

  

Blog Assignment: Mind Map - Learning Connections

Wk2Assign2PoppC

Blog Assignment: Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources

Information-Processing Theory and The Multinational Enterprise journal article is about “developing an information-processing perspective of organizational design that can be used when studying large, complex organizations.”  (Egelhoff, W. G. 1991)  This article describes the studies done for small businesses and large businesses.  It discusses strategies and costs.  This article has interesting information on the conceptual foundations, developing an information-processing perspective and the information-processing implications.  The information-processing theory is not only used in education, but it is widely used throughout all types of organizations from small to big. 

 

• Egelhoff, W. G. (1991). INFORMATION-PROCESSING THEORY AND THE MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISE. Journal of International Business Studies, Vol. 22, Issue 3, p341-368, 28p, 1 Diagram, 4 Charts.  (Walden Library database) http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail?sid=6dd31ed7-d32f-4d8f-b23b-ab2f1def11e1%40sessionmgr114&vid=21&hid=6&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=bth&AN=9609056324

Academic Intervention Program: Applying Brain and Learning Style Concepts journal article is about how handicapped high school students are learning through different strategies and learning styles.  “The AI Program attempts to apply cognitive brain research and theory to the total high school learning situation.”  (Pennell, L. 1985)  They developed levels of structure and intervention to be used; individual student, entire class, and teachers.  During this program, student test scores have improved.  By integrating the brain and learning, teachers can allow students to develop by utilizing more interesting and engaging strategies.

• Pennell, L. (1985). Academic Intervention Program: Applying Brain and Learning Style Concepts. Theory into Practice, Vol. 24 Issue 2, p131. 7p. (Walden Library database) http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=27&hid=4&sid=6dd31ed7-d32f-4d8f-b23b-ab2f1def11e1%40sessionmgr114

Wk1AssignPoppC

Blog Assignment: The Doorway to Professional Learning Communities

          Instructional Design & Learning Theory by Brenda Mergel discusses and lays it all out.  She explains what Theories and Models are.  She also discusses three basics of the learning theories.  She explains each separately.  She discusses Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Constructivism.  Brenda Mergel explains the history of learning theories in instructional design.  She explains each separately:  behaviorism in Instructional Design, Cognitivism in Instructional design and Constructivism in Instructional Design.  She also discusses comparing the development of learning theories to the development of the atomic theory.  Brenda Mergel explains learning theories and the practice of instructional design.  Learning theories: strengths and weaknesses are explained.  She also discusses if there is one best learning theory for instructional design.

• Instructional Design & Learning Theory, Brenda Mergel, Graduate Student, Educational Communications and Technology. University of Saskatchewan, May, 1998, http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/mergel/brenda.htm

      TeacherRogers blog is about Sandra Annette Rogers.  She discusses her teaching philosophy, English Language Specialist, Electronic Village Online, TPT Materials Writer, and an online bookstore.  In her Transitioning from Educator to Instructional Designer blog posted November 3, 2012, she states “Instructional designers work in all types of environments, not just education.”  Sandra Rogers also states, “transition from the mindset of education and training as the solution to organizational problems.”  So being an Instructional Designer is more than just straight forward education.  There are a lot of avenues and areas to explore.

• Transitioning from Educator to Instructional Designer, Nov. 3, 2012, Sandra Annette Rogers, http://teacherrogers.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/transitioning-from-educator-to-instructional-designer/

           Ruth Ann Shelton is currently pursuing her Masters in Instructional Design and Technology at Walden University.  Her blog has a variety of information to learn from and use.  She has some recent posts that discuss Distance Education, Welcome to my blog, Reflections, Fitting the Pieces Together, and Network Connections Facilitate Learning.  She also has a category section that has lots of information on Adult education, Connectivism, Distance Learning, Information Processing, Instructional design, and Learning Theory.  Along with all her great information, Ruth Ann Shelton has a section of Archives:  November 2012, October 2012, December 2011, and November 2011.

• Developing Effective Learning Design, Ruth Shelton, Distance Education, Nov. 4, 2012, http://ruthannshelton.com/category/instructional-design/

           Internet Time Blog has some useful information and links on Design:  Instructional, User Interface, Learning Objects, and Graphic which are all important.

• Internet Time Blog, http://www.internettime.com/blog/archives/001083.html