I would have to begin with the assignment on the brain. It was amazing to me to learn why we all learn differently based on our brain. While I realize that we are not close to understanding the full function of the brain, we are closer than we were when I first learned about the brain back in the 80’s.What I found most striking is how connected everything actually is. The theories, strategies and learning style all play a role and can help the pieces fit together. Learning about my audience has helped me to remember that I have many types of learners and that the performance I expect in class can be affected by the part of the student that I don’t know about. The student’s environment, cultural factors, learning environment in the home, the level of education for the parents, and their view of the education system all affect their performance and their ability. Learning about how to motivate some of my students who face problems outside of my classroom has been very useful.
How has this course deepened your understanding of your personal learning process?
The learning theories have evolved since I originally studied them in the mid 80’s. Yes, they still had the basic elements, but drastic changes were made and this certainly changed my views on some things. I was also not an education major back when and that also created some changes in my thinking while taking this class. I can now connect my learning strategies to a theory and identify how this strategy works or doesn't’t work for me. I have a deeper understanding of my own learning styles and some techniques that I can use. Learning and discovering how I process and store information and how I must connect to prior knowledge served me well and will continue to serve me in the future. I have to say that the discussion and the resources for memory really hit home for me. I realized that when a subject does not make a personal connection for me, I tend to not store the information and therefore learning does not occur for me. My learning is linked with connectivism and androgogy. While creating my mind map, I discovered how connected I am and how I learn from my connections.
What have you learned regarding the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation?
I have learned that this is all a puzzle and the pieces from each of these topics fit together nicely. The theories have their own uniqueness in the actual processing, creating, retrieving and constructing new knowledge. I have been able to put a face with a theory and find activities to meet some of the styles and the theories. I have begin to think about how to change some of my teaching strategies to incorporate the many styles that I have learned as well.
I discovered so many wonderful ideas from the discussion about technology. I have some new sources for technology in the classroom and why they can be awesome aids to learning. I realize why Walden has structured the classes as they have. It helps to meet style and motivational level of many students.
How will your learning in this course help you as you further your career in the field of instructional design?
One of the most important things that I learned is that the instructional design of coursework must consider the theories to help create a solid foundation of the course. I learned that the ARCS model can used to create and sustain motivation of learners in an online or classroom course. I have learned that the use of technology can enhance the learning process. This was my first experience with using blogs and I have to say that after learning the technology, I relished in researching information and creating a link for future use. As an ID’er, the learning theories will help me choose methods of instruction and activities to deliver the best possible instruction through the use of interactive lessons, self directed and project based learning activities to enhance learning and construction and linking prior knowledge.
References:
Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson
Good morning Sonya, I'm now following your blog! :)
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