Reflection

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.