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.