Reflection

One of the most surprising things that I realized this semester was that all this time I thought that believed in the behaviorist theory above all. After completing the learning theory matrix I realized that my own learning experience matched that of connectivism and constructivism.  I had also realized that the first time I learned these theories, I really didn’t learn them. Now I know, constructivism views learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs or builds new ideas or concepts based upon current and past knowledge or experience, and connectivism views learning as a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources. Finding out this information has changed my entire outlook on the way I teach as well. I have now found multiple ways to reach my students, ways that I have not used before.

I now have the keys ways that I need to enhance the way I learn, and when I find information hard to ingest that I will tweak it into a different format that I know I can understand. Learning will become much easier now that I know my personal combination of learning patterns. I am always trying to connect what I am learning to my everyday life and now I know why. I believe that my retention level will increase as a result of realizing this. There have been many times that I learn information temporarily so that I am able to pass a test, and then right after the test I completely forget the information. It is like I always had the keys to success, but never realized it.

I have learned that learning theories give different views on how learners construct meaning during the learning process. Learning style is the type of method that a student uses to learn. Educational technology gives students a variety of ways to learn, and are not secluded to one style of teaching. Motivation is highly important in a classroom or online setting, and is the key to the success of a student. If the right amount of motivation is given, the learning environment will completely change in a positive way.

The most important things that I will take with me from this course were the learning strategies that we discussed. Learning strategies have nothing to do with each individuals learning style, so they can use they to digest any information. Knowing that you can teach someone an effective way to learn will improve their skill of learning and my ability to deliver information adequately. Along with teaching students proper learning strategies, the combination of motivation will improve the confidence beyond belief. If most students had the right tools to be successful, the world as a whole would be a better place.

New Thoughts on Learning Theories

I have completely changed my view on learning theories and have realized that you can learn adequately through multiple. However, I believe that the social learning theory, connectivism, and constructivist theory suit me best now. I learn best when I connect new knowledge to old knowledge and through discussions. I learned in depth what each theory has to offer, that I did not know previously. Completing the learning theory matrix has really helped me differentiate the learning theories and styles.  I have also learned different ways to integrate technology into my classroom. I have also realized that I do not believe in the behaviorist theory like I had before.

Earlier on in this semester I stated, “Dr. Ormrod also stated that when you get information in two different ways it becomes much more memorable. I have always learned best when I am given a visual and verbal message to go along with what I am learning, and that is probably the reason why I retain the majority of what I learn. When I am learning something in class, I have to take down notes as well as write a diagram or picture to go along with their words.” This confirms my new learning theory choices of connectivism and constructivism. Constructivism views learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs or builds new ideas or concepts based upon current and past knowledge or experience. Connectivism views learning as a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources.

I am always trying to connect what I am learning to my everyday life. This helps me maintain a connection to the new material and my retention level becomes higher. Technology is most important in my learning process because I use it to research information, write my assignments, blog, and to discuss various educational ideas. I also use technology as a reference for any research that I may have to do which makes collaboration must easier to do.

Researching the multiple learning theories has made me realize my own and has assisted me in understanding why others think certain ways or learn in other ways. It has also given me a guide as to how to instruct learners of other learning styles.

References

Connectivism. (2011, August 2). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism

Connectivism

Connectivism Concept Map

My learning environment was hard to construct because I never think about the different ways that I learn new things. I suppose I looked first toward my education and the courses that I have taken throughout my educational career, not realizing the many other ways I have learned. I have learned various information through media sources such as You Tube, my television, the internet, other classmate's blogs, and one of my favorite blogs sites E-Learning Heros. The internet has been a vital source in my learning especially when having to research new information or terms that I am not familiar with. Although we cannot believe everything that we read on the internet, there are still many reliable sources out there.

Another way I have learned would be through human interactions. I have learned through relationships, and conversations with relatives, colleagues, colleagues, professors, past mentors, acquaintances, academic coaches, and through journeys that I have taken in my life. The most effective of all of them would have to be the conversations with professors and colleagues because they have similar views to mine. However, I truly value those opinions from relatives and acquaintances who may have separates views from mine.

Lastly, my personal experiences have sculpted the way that I learn and what I have learned. I have learned through many educational workshops, college courses that I have taken, and through my being a mentor teacher. Being a mentor teacher has taught me how to view situations in another light versus the one way that I am used to thinking. I have become more sympathetic to struggles or concepts that are not easily understood by others.

Making a concept map to represent my learning environment was a good way to visualize the many influences that structure the way that I think and learn.

Selective Attention in Vision

Selective Attention in Vision

One thing that can really affect the way a person learns would be their attention span.

Attention is the main topic of this study. It is not difficult to introduce this topic, because everyone knows what attention is. It is the taking possession by the mind, in clear and vivid form, of one out of what seem several simultaneously possible objects or trains of thought Focalization, concentration, of consciousness are of its essence. It implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others,… (James, 1890/1950, pp. 403– 4)

Some of us can sit down and watch a movie or multiple movies while others are ready to get up and move around after an hour. I think that in order to truly judge how well someone is processing information, you must first have their full attention to make sure that they understand what we will be talking about.

In this study that I read about the information that was study was that that was observably being input and then also they focused on the outputs that had to be observable. This article infers my belief is true in which we have to be able to see what someone is learning and monitoring what is being put into their minds in order to figure the true processing of information. In addition to that we all still have an uphill battle with mere attention spans in order to ingest new information and regurgitate it.

References:

Van der Heijden, A. (1991). Selective attention in vision.

Information Processing

Information Processing

I completely agree with Piaget’s theories. As stated in this journal article, “Piaget made it clear that children learn through direct experiences and social interaction with peers. (Tracey, Morrow & Mandel, 2006)” I believe that this is how the majority of children learn successfully. Although we think that many times children learn from things they see, I think that it sticks in their memory more often than not if they are able to use or manipulate an object while learning new subject matter.

I have a couple of students in my class now whom have a hard time sitting still in the classroom and always need to be moving in order to stay focused on the information that we are learning. When I was growing up and still even now days teachers tend to assume that children need to be put on medication in order to keep their mind focused. However, what I have learned over the past year is that some people need something in their hands to play with in order to keep their minds off moving their bodies. I have allowed a couple of my students to have some sort of trinket that can stay in their hand or at their desk, which keeps their hands occupied, but they stay continuously focused on what I am teaching.

References:

Tracey. , Morrow , D., & Mandel, L. (2006). Lenses on reading : An introduction to theories and models.

Supplemental Resources for Instructional Design

E Learning Heros
This is a website that primarily focuses on giving advice and sharing ideas about e Learning. This website provides forums which allows e Learning professionals to discuss new ideas and techniques that are being used in the field of technology. E Learning Heros also provides tutorials on practical techniques and strategies, and product specific tricks and know-how. They also provide pro-grade downloads that e-learning professionals often use for free.
Blog: http://community.articulate.com/

Langevin Learning Services

This website offers training workshops for new and improving instructional designers, instructors, and managers. They also provide training for instructors to become more dynamic instructors.They provide three levels of certification for trainers. They also have a blog on the website that provides various topics regarding the instructional technology and design field. One of the most recent post was how to manage client expectations. You can post blogs in a specific section as well.You can post your thoughts in the instructor, designer, or manager discussion forum. Which makes it easier for someone to receive adequate feedback. 

Website: http://www.langevin.com/

Instructional Design Central

This website gives a listing of other blogs and websites that are related to the instructional design field. This website is useful for both students learning about the field of instructional design and for working professionals. The website also features job opportunities, where you can obtain an instructional design degree, instructional design conferences, and a forum for professionals alike. It also gives history on the profession of Instructional Design and how it began.

Website: http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/