Reflecting on a semester of Learning Theories…

Reflecting on a semester of Learning Theories…

About 16 plus weeks ago, I made a decision to return back to school to obtain my Masters Degree, not an easy decision and one I continue to struggle with, and I am sure I will struggle with till I have the degree in hand. That being said I think it is going to be the best decision I have made in a long time. The learning experience thus far has been great, just in this class alone I have gained so much knowledge that will carry forward not only in my future career as an instructional designer but also in my current job as a training coordinator. 

            I have gained knowledge about how we learn, how the brain works and how to enhance the learning experience utilizing this information. I think the most surprising thing I learned was actually about my own learning, I realized the type of learner I was and that my own learning changes often. I also gained knowledge about my son’s learning and with all his different disabilities it is with this knowledge that I can work with his teachers to work on a learning plan that will work for him and will enable him to learn like his classmates.

            With the knowledge I gained from this course about my own learning, I will be able to work on times when I am having difficulties, I can think back and focus the information into a learning theory that works best for me.

            This course deepened my understanding of my own personal learning process by showing me different ways to learn, the different ways each person learns and what I can do to enhance my own learning into a more exciting experience. Learning for me was once a painful and tough experience. It is now that I am an adult learner that I am finding that learning can be fun, I can learn without all the pain, and retain the knowledge.

            I plan to take the information and knowledge I gained from this course and use apply it to so many aspects of my life, from helping my son with his studies, working with his teachers. Everything we learned about motivation, how the brain functions, the different learning theories, learning styles and educational technology I plan to use in my everyday job, all of this information will be helpful as we build our classes and work on learning plans.

            This course has taught me so much about theories and styles of learning and the use of educational technology, and I learned even more from my fellow classmates and our search for outside sources. I now have some great references to use, blogs that I have bookmarked all that I can refer back to as I continue my education and in my everyday life.

Learning Theories, Learning Theory Matrix and Understanding How I Learn

   I have learned so much this last 7 weeks about how we learn, how I learn, and how to use this information to help with the designing of courses. When I began this class I would have simply said that I learn from watching once, then doing, there was not theory, no name for it just what I have come to know as how I learn. Now I have learned that my learning style has changed over the years and continues to change from course to course and even day to day. With the knowledge that my learning styles change, I can prepare myself so that I get the most out of my learning experience.  Before this class and not having read our readings I would have said based solely on names that my learning style was Social.

  Oh the things I have learned about learning theories, how the brain process learning, how the brain functions at all, and even how each individual learns. It has been so much, that at times I wonder if there is room in my brain for more learning. Now, I know there is plenty of room, and that I have the ability to learn so much more, I even know the styles in which I may learn over the future.  All of the learning we have done will further us in our future designing courses, these will guide us to design effective learning for our learners.  With each person having a different learning style, know this will greatly enhance our programs.

  Technology plays an important part of my learning, and has for a few years now. I received my Bachelor’s Degree via an online program, technology was my method of learning as well as what I was learning about, I was studying graphic design, technology was all around my learning. Once I finished my degree, technology slowed down in my learning realm.  I was focused more on just daily technology use, all my learning was done via person to person, I was focused on getting training from those around me. Now I am in a new position and a new field, where technology is again at the forefront of my learning, we use technology as a learning tool for all of our clients.  We utilize a Learning Management System to allow our clients the ability to sign up for courses, take online courses, manage their learning hours and invest in their future.  I myself have decided to go back to school for my Masters and now here I am once again using technology for my own learning. I also have access to the internet and various other technological devices to help me with helping my son in his studies.

Connectivism

Connectivism

 

 

My learning has changed so much in the past few years, and even more in the last year alone, I believe this is based on my network. Back when I was in high school, there wasn’t much that helped you if you had a question, you had to rely on your teacher or the good old encyclopedia, I am betting and I know with my own son, that there are lots of kids out there that don’t even know what an encyclopedia is, except the one you can find on the internet.  My son was shocked the first time I showed him that it was actually a book, a hardback, with paper pages even. My network that helps me consists of great friends, fantastic co-workers, and social media. I have learned so much with all of these things at my fingertips, it is so easy to get any information I want or need. It’s readily accessible, easy to find, or I can call, text or pin any questions I may have. I still love my books and occasionally still go back to the books, be it for nostalgia or because sometimes it just feels good to look for stuff the “Old Fashioned Way”.

The best digital tools I have found are Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google. I enjoy the instantaneousness of these, if I have a question, or need to know something I can find it right away.             

When I have a new question I will begin by asking co-workers and friends, if they are unable to help me I will go to the internet and search, starting with Pinterest, LinkedIn and work my way to Google.

It is my belief that my personal learning network supports connectivism, because we are all in some way connected, be it physically or through the internet, there is some sort of connection to each other and to the information.