Learner Motivation - Reflection

My Reflection

I have to admit that I have never given it much thought as to how people learn. I knew that people learned differently, but I did not know to what extent and what depth. The extent and the depth have to do with the following six learning theories: Behaviorist, Cognitive, Constructivist, Social Learning, Connectivism, and Adult Learners, and each of the following definitive questions that go with each:

a. How does learning occur?
b. What factors influence learning?
c. What is the role of memory?
d. How does transfer occur?
e. What types of learning are best explained by this theory?
f. How is technology used for learning in your industry?

For instance, let us look at the Adult Learning Theory in relation to the above definitive questions. Learning occurs, “It is based on the assumptions that adult learners focus more on the processes rather than contents. This is because adults bring in real life experiences to the learning environment. Thus, strategies like collaborative learning, role-play, simulations, case study and self-evaluations are useful to help facilitate adult learning.” (Online Learning Laboratory) The factors that influence learning are “social relationships, external expectations, social welfare, and personal advancement, escape/stimulation: to relieve boredom, provide a break, and cognitive interest: to learn for the sake of learning.” (Principles of Adult Learning) The role of the memory is “retention by the participants is directly affected by their amount of practice during the learning.” (Principles of Adult Learning) Transfer occurs, “association, similarity, degree of original learning, and critical attribute element.” (Principles of Adult Learning) The types of learning that is best associated are life experience and knowledge. The types of technology that are used, “critical thinking, process design ability, team work, outcome oriented process, and communication skills.” (Nasseh)

As for my personal learning process, the amazement to me was the above definitive questions. It was surprising just to see how I learned, the factors that influenced my learning, the role that memory and transfer played, the different types of learning that are associated, and how technology is used. Additionally, I was under the impression that a person could only fall under one learning theory, which is not true at all. For instance, using myself, my personal learning process encompasses all six of the theories. This may be due in part to accommodating to the different teachers that I have had over the years in relation to how they taught.

Without one of the following ingredients: learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation the mind simply would not grow or thrive. Each one of these ingredients plays a huge role and intertwines in the learning process. For instance, without motivation, the learning theories, the learning styles, and educational technology would cease to exist. Motivation “is the activation or energization of goal-oriented behavior.” (Motivation) Learning theories “have two chief values. One is in providing us with vocabulary and a conceptual framework for interpreting the examples of learning that we observe. The other is in suggesting where to look for solutions to practical problems. The theories do not give us solutions, but they do direct our attention to those variables that are crucial in finding solutions.” (Learning Theory) Learning styles “are various approaches or ways of learning. They involve educating methods, particular to an individual that are presumed to allow that individual to learn best. It is commonly believed that most people favor some particular method of interacting with, taking in, and processing stimuli or information.” (Learning Styles) Educational Technology “is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.” (Educational Technology)

What I have learned in this course will help me keep in mind that not everyone will have the same learning theories and learning styles. Some of the learning theories and learning styles maybe intertwined with others, making the factors of the definitive questions come out relatively different. I have to remain patient and keep the lines of communication open, as some of my student’s may not understand a particular concept right off the bat. I may have to spend extra time or explain a concept on a level where everybody understands. Above all, I must be accommodating, this is why I learned all about the learning theories in depth and extensively.

In conclusion, I have to say that I enjoyed this class very much; it opened my eyes up to what factors are involved with each of the learning theories. Actually, the Learning Theory Matrix was very helpful, as it examined each learning theory inch by inch.





References

Educational Technology (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology

Learning Styles (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_styles

Learning Theory (Education) (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_theory_(education)

Motivation (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2009, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motivation

Nasseh, B. (n.d.). Changing Definition of Teaching and Learning. Retrieved December 10, 2009, from http://www.bsu.edu/classes/nasseh/bn100/change.html

Online Learning Laboratory (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2009, from Kim, B. (2001). Social constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Social_Constructi

Principles of Adult Learning (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-2.htm