What did you find surprising or striking as you furthered your knowledge about how people learn?
I knew that there were many different learning theories. However, I never realized that we needed to blend the theories together in order to help all the students in our classroom. I tend to use constructivism in my class for learning with behaviorism to provide a safe environment, but I now see the need to bring connectivism into my classroom as well. As Bill Kerr states, “It seems to me that each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right.” (Kerr, 2007)
How has this course deepened your understanding of your personal learning process?
From learning about the different theories and strategies before, I thought myself to be a visual learner, strong in linguistics, logic, and a little bodily-kinesthetic. I like to read rather than listen to lectures, and I learn most through constructivism, when I can use my hands and figure out how something works. However, I never considered the fact that my learning is connected. I use the computer to research topics on the Internet, I e-mail people who have expertise in the area in which I need help, and now I am earning a degree entirely online. It is up to me to “draw distinctions between important and unimportant information . . . ” (Davis, 2008)
I also never thought of myself as an adult, distance education learner. As an adult learner, I believe that I am more self-directed and that much of my learning is related to furthering my understanding of my job. I also know that I now draw on my experience, which I could not do as a young student. Lastly, I believe that I am mostly intrinsically motivated and in control of my learning (Conlan, 2003).
What have you learned regarding the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation?
As teachers, we need to understand the different learning theories and styles and be able to use them with technology and motivation. We must combine them to be effective instructors. “Interest in learning styles reminds teachers to develop a variety of instructional methods to help diverse students to learn in different ways.” (Frisby, 2005)
We must recognize that students are more connected today, and start to use that technology in our instructional design to motivate our students. As the teacher in Finland stated, “ . . . integrate ITC into everything you do.” (Online Streaming Media, 2006)
How will your learning in this course help you as you further your career in the field of instructional design?
This course has taught me that I must actively reflect on my instructional design. What works today, may not be the best for my students in the future. I must constantly strive to offer my students all types of activities to appeal to everyone’s learning preferences, styles, and sources of motivation.
As a new technology coordinator, I will also have to remember that the teachers are adult learners. I must not only learn to appeal to their sense of andragogy when motivating them to incorporate new techniques and technology into their personal classrooms, but I must also take into consideration their inexperience and trepidation with the new technologies and provide them with support.
References
Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003). Adult learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Adult_Learning.
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title-Connectivism.
Frisby, C. L. (2005). Learning styles. In S. W. Lee (Ed.), Encyclopedia of school psychology. Retrieved on 20 July 2010 from Sage Reference Online database.
Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). Online transactions [Msg 1]. Message posted to http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html.
Online Streaming Media. (30 June 2006). “Teachers’ TV: Primary ICT – Natural Connections.” http://www.teachers.tv/video/4977.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Fitting the Pieces Together
Now that I have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has my view on how I learn changed?
I now understand that there are many more factors involved in my learning process. No one learning theory, learning style, or learning strategy can define how I learn. "It seems to me that each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right." (Kerr, 2007)
As an adult learner, I am more motivated and self-directed than I was during and right out of high school. As a young student in college, I failed several subjects and dropped out after a year. In my thirties, I graduated with honors from my bachelor's degree. I then spent six years going part-time for my masters. I am now able to motivate myself to complete on-line classes for this masters degree. Reflecting back, I would not have had the self-discipline to complete this degree as a young student.
What have I learned about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain my own personal learning preferences?
Behaviorism does not play a big part in my learning. After a few weeks of poor performance in discussions, I learned what was expected. Therefore, the negative consequence a what I considered an unacceptable grade changed my discussion behavior so that I could received a positive reinforcement - an acceptable grade. (Standrige, 2001)
Cognitivism has played a part because I have taken what I have learned in earlier classes and related it to what we have learned in this class. (Ormrod, 2009) However, most of the learning that we have done is complex. Cognitive learning is more for "growth of conceptual understanding and general strategies of thinking and understanding." (Greeno, 1998)
Constructivism still is the best way that I learn. I take what I have already learned and "develop new cognitive structures leading to more sophicticated meanings." (Jenkins, 2006) I tend to be more individualized in my learning preferences, and not inclined to social learning. When I first started teaching, I had an excellent department chair. Much of how I solved problems and how I teach came through my interactions with her during my first few years. (Kim, 2001) Therefore, I believe that when I am learning something for myself, I prefer constructive learning on my own. However, when I am trying to learn something that involves others, I prefer social constructivism.
What role does technology play in my learning?
Technology plays a very important role in my learning. "Our knowledge literally is distributed across other networks of human beings, technological devices, and other ends. That's where connectivism starts to come into play. So that's the application of the technology to aid and to extend that dimension as well." (Video, date unknown) I had never heard of connectivism until a few weeks ago, but I now understand that it is a major way that I learn. Connectivism obviously is the means for learning in this class. We are all connected together by the technology, and research and use the technology for learning. However, I had never reflected on how I use technology in my everyday life for learning. When I have a question at work, I can quickly e-mail a co-worker. If I have a question about a medical issue, I can look it up on the Internet. Technology has opened up the world to everyone and it is now extremely easy to learn about topics in which we have an interest.
References:
Greeno, J. G. (1998). The situativity of knowing, learning, and research. American Psychologist. 53(1), 5-26.
Jenkins, J. (2006). Constructivism. In Encyclopedia of educational leadership and administration.
Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). Online transactions [Msg 1]. Message posted to http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html.
Kim, B. (2001). Social constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Social_Constructivism.
Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custome edition). New York: Pearson.
Standridge, M. (2001). Behaviorism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Behaviorism.
Video. (Date unknown). "Connectivism." Laureate Education, Inc.
I now understand that there are many more factors involved in my learning process. No one learning theory, learning style, or learning strategy can define how I learn. "It seems to me that each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right." (Kerr, 2007)
As an adult learner, I am more motivated and self-directed than I was during and right out of high school. As a young student in college, I failed several subjects and dropped out after a year. In my thirties, I graduated with honors from my bachelor's degree. I then spent six years going part-time for my masters. I am now able to motivate myself to complete on-line classes for this masters degree. Reflecting back, I would not have had the self-discipline to complete this degree as a young student.
What have I learned about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain my own personal learning preferences?
Behaviorism does not play a big part in my learning. After a few weeks of poor performance in discussions, I learned what was expected. Therefore, the negative consequence a what I considered an unacceptable grade changed my discussion behavior so that I could received a positive reinforcement - an acceptable grade. (Standrige, 2001)
Cognitivism has played a part because I have taken what I have learned in earlier classes and related it to what we have learned in this class. (Ormrod, 2009) However, most of the learning that we have done is complex. Cognitive learning is more for "growth of conceptual understanding and general strategies of thinking and understanding." (Greeno, 1998)
Constructivism still is the best way that I learn. I take what I have already learned and "develop new cognitive structures leading to more sophicticated meanings." (Jenkins, 2006) I tend to be more individualized in my learning preferences, and not inclined to social learning. When I first started teaching, I had an excellent department chair. Much of how I solved problems and how I teach came through my interactions with her during my first few years. (Kim, 2001) Therefore, I believe that when I am learning something for myself, I prefer constructive learning on my own. However, when I am trying to learn something that involves others, I prefer social constructivism.
What role does technology play in my learning?
Technology plays a very important role in my learning. "Our knowledge literally is distributed across other networks of human beings, technological devices, and other ends. That's where connectivism starts to come into play. So that's the application of the technology to aid and to extend that dimension as well." (Video, date unknown) I had never heard of connectivism until a few weeks ago, but I now understand that it is a major way that I learn. Connectivism obviously is the means for learning in this class. We are all connected together by the technology, and research and use the technology for learning. However, I had never reflected on how I use technology in my everyday life for learning. When I have a question at work, I can quickly e-mail a co-worker. If I have a question about a medical issue, I can look it up on the Internet. Technology has opened up the world to everyone and it is now extremely easy to learn about topics in which we have an interest.
References:
Greeno, J. G. (1998). The situativity of knowing, learning, and research. American Psychologist. 53(1), 5-26.
Jenkins, J. (2006). Constructivism. In Encyclopedia of educational leadership and administration.
Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). Online transactions [Msg 1]. Message posted to http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html.
Kim, B. (2001). Social constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Social_Constructivism.
Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custome edition). New York: Pearson.
Standridge, M. (2001). Behaviorism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Behaviorism.
Video. (Date unknown). "Connectivism." Laureate Education, Inc.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Reflections on My Learning Connections
How has my network changed the way I learn?
My entire primary/secondary and undergraduate degrees were earned in traditional classrooms. I never used a computer in my primary/secondary education and rarely used one for my undergraduate degree. Most of my learning was conducted through lectures with some hands-on and cooperative group learning. I remember that my third grade teacher liked to use cooperative learning. She was my favorite teacher. However, by the time I got to college I came to dislike cooperative group learning because of the disparity of contributed work. I did little research on the computer even though I worked in the library. The breath of research on the computer was through the college library computer resources. Almost all my research was conducted through printed books and journals.
For my last masters degree, I started to use the Internet more for research. I had several online classes, although the majority was still in a traditional classroom setting. There was more group work that I enjoyed because most everyone participated. However, most of the work could be done during class time, so we did not have to communicate through the computer much. The online classes were mainly entering a weekly chat session and completing work independently and submitting the assignments.
For this degree, I have relied entirely on the computer. The online library is a huge resource. Instead of real-time chats, we post discussions that allow us more flexibility on when we have to sit down at the computer. I feel this gives me more time to prepare what I want to say instead of trying to type a reply quickly so that my response appears before someone goes onto another topic. Also, especially in this class, I have learned how to use additional computer resources. Last class I had to learn how to create an iMovie and post it so the entire class could review it. This class, I have had to learn how to create a blog, an aggregate feed reader, and how to create, copy, and post a mind map.
Therefore I would say that my network has changed the way I learn from being in a teacher-directed classroom where I was very passive, to becoming a self-directed learner where the instructor is my guide and facilitator.
Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me include using the Internet to conduct research through websites, journals, and blogs. I do this for personal learning as well as for classwork. I still highly depend on library resources and love the online library. I also like to read the posts from my classmates to learn different perspectives that they have on our readings each week. I am not much into social networks and I do not use them for learning.
How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?
When I have questions, I gain new knowledge mostly through searches on the Internet. If I personally know someone with expertise in the area, I will go to that person or e-mail them. I also love to read books, and my local library is a big resource. I still am not sure if I will use blogs, unless they are peer edited. I do not trust many sources as people tend to be biased, myself included. Therefore, I tend to visit many sites, and if I find conflicting material, I turn to books and journals.
In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?
My personal learning network supports the tenets of connectivism. According to Siemens (Davis, 2008), "connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New information is continually being acquired and the ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. Also critical is the ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on decisions made yesterday." My learning today using my network of Internet, online classes/classmates, etc. is totally different from my learning in my early years when I depended on my teachers to guide my learning. I am the person who now determines what is vital and unimportant and my learning has broadened my environment and has changed many of my beliefs. Siemens also states (Video, date unknown), "Our knowledge literally is distributed across other networks of human beings, technological devices, and other ends. That's where connectivism starts to come into play. So that's the application of the technology to aid and to extend that dimension as well." Technology has opened up so many resources for people to pursue knowledge. As each year goes by, I learn new ways of using technology to supplement the knowledge I gain in my personal connections.
References:
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Baterman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu//epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism.
Video. (Date unknown). "Connectivism." Laureate Education, Inc.
My entire primary/secondary and undergraduate degrees were earned in traditional classrooms. I never used a computer in my primary/secondary education and rarely used one for my undergraduate degree. Most of my learning was conducted through lectures with some hands-on and cooperative group learning. I remember that my third grade teacher liked to use cooperative learning. She was my favorite teacher. However, by the time I got to college I came to dislike cooperative group learning because of the disparity of contributed work. I did little research on the computer even though I worked in the library. The breath of research on the computer was through the college library computer resources. Almost all my research was conducted through printed books and journals.
For my last masters degree, I started to use the Internet more for research. I had several online classes, although the majority was still in a traditional classroom setting. There was more group work that I enjoyed because most everyone participated. However, most of the work could be done during class time, so we did not have to communicate through the computer much. The online classes were mainly entering a weekly chat session and completing work independently and submitting the assignments.
For this degree, I have relied entirely on the computer. The online library is a huge resource. Instead of real-time chats, we post discussions that allow us more flexibility on when we have to sit down at the computer. I feel this gives me more time to prepare what I want to say instead of trying to type a reply quickly so that my response appears before someone goes onto another topic. Also, especially in this class, I have learned how to use additional computer resources. Last class I had to learn how to create an iMovie and post it so the entire class could review it. This class, I have had to learn how to create a blog, an aggregate feed reader, and how to create, copy, and post a mind map.
Therefore I would say that my network has changed the way I learn from being in a teacher-directed classroom where I was very passive, to becoming a self-directed learner where the instructor is my guide and facilitator.
Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
The digital tools that best facilitate learning for me include using the Internet to conduct research through websites, journals, and blogs. I do this for personal learning as well as for classwork. I still highly depend on library resources and love the online library. I also like to read the posts from my classmates to learn different perspectives that they have on our readings each week. I am not much into social networks and I do not use them for learning.
How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?
When I have questions, I gain new knowledge mostly through searches on the Internet. If I personally know someone with expertise in the area, I will go to that person or e-mail them. I also love to read books, and my local library is a big resource. I still am not sure if I will use blogs, unless they are peer edited. I do not trust many sources as people tend to be biased, myself included. Therefore, I tend to visit many sites, and if I find conflicting material, I turn to books and journals.
In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?
My personal learning network supports the tenets of connectivism. According to Siemens (Davis, 2008), "connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New information is continually being acquired and the ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. Also critical is the ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on decisions made yesterday." My learning today using my network of Internet, online classes/classmates, etc. is totally different from my learning in my early years when I depended on my teachers to guide my learning. I am the person who now determines what is vital and unimportant and my learning has broadened my environment and has changed many of my beliefs. Siemens also states (Video, date unknown), "Our knowledge literally is distributed across other networks of human beings, technological devices, and other ends. That's where connectivism starts to come into play. So that's the application of the technology to aid and to extend that dimension as well." Technology has opened up so many resources for people to pursue knowledge. As each year goes by, I learn new ways of using technology to supplement the knowledge I gain in my personal connections.
References:
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Baterman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on 6 July 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu//epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism.
Video. (Date unknown). "Connectivism." Laureate Education, Inc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)