Reflection – week 8
What did you find surprising or striking as you furthered your knowledge about how people learn? How has this course deepened your understanding of your personal learning process?
I was really surprised with what I learned during these 8 weeks. I referred many number of recourses, went through the course book, discuss and exchanged ideas with peers and the instructor.. For me it was busy 8 weeks after which I got “memory full” with lot of new things .Learning is the lifelong process of transforming information and experience into knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes. How people learn is a very important Smith, M. K. (1999) in his article says learning is “But not the lifeless, sterile, futile, quickly forgotten stuff that is crammed in to the mind of the poor helpless individual tied into his seat by ironclad bonds of conformity!” he is having a style in describing a traditional class room. How I learn some subjects at school was like that. Even though I did follow a psychology class I never paid much attention to how people do learn. But these 8 weeks I was amazed to see the amount of research people has done still doing on how people learn.
When I joined this class I thought I know how I learn what I learn and why I learn...All these attitudes got changed after first few weeks .My formal education did not give any idea about learning theories. But when I went through learning theories for each week assignment I was fascinated by the difference in individuals of learning, how many factors are affecting learning and so on…Specially I had an insight on how my 8 year old is dealing with learning..(I think I figured out correctly!)
As I study through Behaviorism, cognitivism, social learning theory, connectivism, adult learning theory in depth for posting my views on how people learn changed dramatically. I completely agree with Bill Kerr saying “each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand along in their own right”. and I really liked his and Karl Kapp views on learning theories. When I went through Adult learning theory with self directed learning I could understand the difference between school children and us.
Reading and discussing the Horizon report opened my eyes and my mind to possible uses for technology which I had never heard of before. The idea of semantic aware is so exiting, what I find equally exciting is how we can use mobile in learning! These advances that are sure to come over the next few years will transform whole learning process.
Then the ARCS idea of motivation was striking. The Keller’s model incorporates needs assessment based on an analysis of the target audience and existing instructional materials, supports the creation of motivational objectives and measures based on an analysis of the motivational characteristics of the learners, provides guidance for creating and selecting motivational tactics, and follows a process that integrates well with instructional design and development.(Keller J.,1987).I’m planning to incorporate this model in to my instructional environment (face to face ) near in the future.
Technology mediates my learning. I use it to connect with data, ideas and most importantly other people – whether via email, blogs, podcasts, websites or eBooks. Earlier most of my learning happened in a classes. Now I realize that that with the aid of my computer, I’m spending a far larger amount of time learning/studying/researching than I had previously recognized. Now that I am more conscious of the role technology is playing, I find I am relying on it more and more. Throughout this course, I was re-defining and expanding my idea of what learning actually is and how people learn.
I have categorized me as a visual learner earlier, but I found out now I’m using different learning styles. I have used all these learning styles sometimes in combination some time alone but have got the results. Even though many studies have suggested that students who identify their learning styles can use the information to improve comprehension and memory, I think as an adult learner it is useful to be able to adopt and adapt whatever the learning technique available. But the knowledge I acquired will be useful when I work as an instructional designer.
What have you learned regarding the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation?
There is a connection between each of these things. All these depends on the learner even though there are learning theories to tell how your memory works and styles are there to find out which is the best way to grab the knowledge, technology is there to take you where w]ever you want in the world and find whatever you want it is the motivation which plays the major role. As an instructional designer we need to use theory, styles, technology and motivation to create an effective learning experience. They are the essential elements that come together to be more than the sum of their part.
How will your learning in this course help you as you further your career in the field of instructional design? From this course I got a clear view on learning theories technology and motivation from which I will be able to draw when designing instruction. My knowledge of learning and my perspective of teaching has been expanded and enhanced. I am able to look at learning experiences with a positive attitude and from multiple points of view , not only as a classroom teacher., I have gained a lots of ideas to improve learning experiences for my students whether their young ones or adults . I’m hoping to use the knowledge I gained in my learning environment and I look forward to learn more and more on instructional designing!
Smith, M. K. (1999) 'Learning theory', the encyclopedia of informal education, www.infed.org/biblio/b-learn.htm
http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html
http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
