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
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Week 7 - Fitting the Pieces Together
Here is what I wrote on Week # 1 pertaining to what learning theories best suited me:
“First, my learning process is most associated with that of Constructivism, which is defined as “Constructivism views learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs or builds new ideas or concepts based upon current and past knowledge or experience. In other words, "learning involves constructing one's own knowledge from one's own experiences."” (Learning Theory) The Instructional Designer builds upon what a learner knows already. Words that are closely associated with Constructivism are “Aspects of constructivism can be found in self-directed learning, transformational learning, experiential learning, situated cognition, and reflective practice.” (Learning Theory) I feel that because I have been taking online classes since 2005, I have adopted this learning theory. For example, in order to take online classes a person needs to adopt some form of self-directed learning, because an individual in this environment takes charge of their own learning experience. If an individual is taking a sit-down class, then of course, the Instructor is in charge of their learning experience.
Second, my learning process shows some signs of Cognitivism, which is defined as, “Cognitivists consider how human memory works to promote learning.” (Learning Theory) There are many instances when I have to rely on my memory to learn a concept. An example, learning all of those passwords, which I have memorized to get into my e-mail, my class, my employee timesheet and work related programs, etc.”
I have learned that each learning theory consists of the following concepts, which can be broken down into questions:
1. How does learning occur?
2. What factors influence learning?
3. What is the role of the memory?
4. How does transfer occur?
5. What types of learning are best explained?
6. How does technology play a role?
Quite honestly, I have never really studied the different learning theories and would have never thought to attach the above questions to each one. I thought that each learning theory was cut and dry, for instance, all theories could not intertwine with one another, you had to be constructivist only or connectivist only, and not mixed with a behaviorist.
Before learning this information, I had no idea that each theory had its own set of factors, which I provided numbered above. I learned each learning theory intimately, I know what makes each one of them tick. For instance, during Week # 1, I called myself a constructivist and a cognitivist. I based the information on how I felt that learned the best, without taking the numbered factors that I provided into consideration.
The role of memory for a constructivist is if information is meaningful to the learner. When I took the statistics class, I did not find this class meaningful, because I knew that I would never use this information for anything in my personal or my professional life. Now, the social learning theory, the words associated with the role of the memory is mental images and rehearsal. The social learning theory would have worked best for me in relation to my statistics class not constructivism.
Let’s see the role of technology has served many purposes in relation to my learning. I predominantly take online classes only, so this a huge part of the role of technology in my instance. Most of everything related to the class has do with technology in some aspect, for instance, the online library, the discussions, online reading assignments, applications (actual assignments), and looking up grades for assignments just to name a few. As you can see, technology plays a huge role in learning new concepts and information for me. If technology was taken away from me for some reason, I am not sure that my learning would be up to par, as I depend and take for granted this method of delivery.
References:
Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J. (1993). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 6(4), 50–71.
Instructional Design (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructional_design
Learning Theory (Education) (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_theory_(education)
Schunk, D.H. (1991) Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective. New York: Macmillian
“First, my learning process is most associated with that of Constructivism, which is defined as “Constructivism views learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs or builds new ideas or concepts based upon current and past knowledge or experience. In other words, "learning involves constructing one's own knowledge from one's own experiences."” (Learning Theory) The Instructional Designer builds upon what a learner knows already. Words that are closely associated with Constructivism are “Aspects of constructivism can be found in self-directed learning, transformational learning, experiential learning, situated cognition, and reflective practice.” (Learning Theory) I feel that because I have been taking online classes since 2005, I have adopted this learning theory. For example, in order to take online classes a person needs to adopt some form of self-directed learning, because an individual in this environment takes charge of their own learning experience. If an individual is taking a sit-down class, then of course, the Instructor is in charge of their learning experience.
Second, my learning process shows some signs of Cognitivism, which is defined as, “Cognitivists consider how human memory works to promote learning.” (Learning Theory) There are many instances when I have to rely on my memory to learn a concept. An example, learning all of those passwords, which I have memorized to get into my e-mail, my class, my employee timesheet and work related programs, etc.”
I have learned that each learning theory consists of the following concepts, which can be broken down into questions:
1. How does learning occur?
2. What factors influence learning?
3. What is the role of the memory?
4. How does transfer occur?
5. What types of learning are best explained?
6. How does technology play a role?
Quite honestly, I have never really studied the different learning theories and would have never thought to attach the above questions to each one. I thought that each learning theory was cut and dry, for instance, all theories could not intertwine with one another, you had to be constructivist only or connectivist only, and not mixed with a behaviorist.
Before learning this information, I had no idea that each theory had its own set of factors, which I provided numbered above. I learned each learning theory intimately, I know what makes each one of them tick. For instance, during Week # 1, I called myself a constructivist and a cognitivist. I based the information on how I felt that learned the best, without taking the numbered factors that I provided into consideration.
The role of memory for a constructivist is if information is meaningful to the learner. When I took the statistics class, I did not find this class meaningful, because I knew that I would never use this information for anything in my personal or my professional life. Now, the social learning theory, the words associated with the role of the memory is mental images and rehearsal. The social learning theory would have worked best for me in relation to my statistics class not constructivism.
Let’s see the role of technology has served many purposes in relation to my learning. I predominantly take online classes only, so this a huge part of the role of technology in my instance. Most of everything related to the class has do with technology in some aspect, for instance, the online library, the discussions, online reading assignments, applications (actual assignments), and looking up grades for assignments just to name a few. As you can see, technology plays a huge role in learning new concepts and information for me. If technology was taken away from me for some reason, I am not sure that my learning would be up to par, as I depend and take for granted this method of delivery.
References:
Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J. (1993). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 6(4), 50–71.
Instructional Design (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instructional_design
Learning Theory (Education) (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_theory_(education)
Schunk, D.H. (1991) Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective. New York: Macmillian
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