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.
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