Course Reflection:
This course has been challenging and informative. The material in this course has increased my knowledge of how people learn and the many theories that have been developed. There are two main points that stuck out more than the others. First, when it comes to learning and retrieval it is important to understand how the information was “learned” in order for it to be retrieved. As it stated in the book, “Learning Theories and Instruction” (2009), “Retrieval depends on the manner of encoding.” Part of this retrieval can involve emotions and this is important to the memory or retrieval process as well.
The second main or striking point that I found interesting was that we not only all learn differently, but we can learn differently depending on the task itself. We may have one learning style for one task but a totally different style for something else. As Karl Kapp suggests in his blog, “The issue many forget is that “learning” is not one thing… it is a multi-layered work that tends to get treated as if it were just one thing… and it’s not.”
Personal Learning Process:
My learning process is, as is in all people, a combination of all the learning theories and styles. As was stated in the video, “Connectivism,” “Education is complex.” However, I find myself drawn to Connectivism for my personal style. When I can connect the material to other topics or something else I have learned, it helps me to retain and eventually retrieve the new material. Whether it is a key word, an emotion, a personal experience or a previously learned fact, connecting new information to one of those is very important to my learning.
Connecting Learning, Technology and Motivation:
As technology is being created, so are the applications to learning being explored. Since people have different learning styles, not all technology will be for every person. The challenge is using the current and future technology to not only help people to learn but to motivate them as well. The youth of today and the coming generations are prone to using technology on many levels and will not only expect to use technology in their learning, but will require it to motivate them to learn in their own style, to keep their attention, provide relevance, instill confidence and ultimately bring satisfaction to their learning and goals. (Keller’s ARCS model)
Instructional Design:
This course has reintroduced to me the various learning theories and styles of people, which is important to know when designing instruction. As I begin to create materials for people on any academic level, I can use the theories to keep me focused on how someone can accept the material being presented, absorb it into their own memory and apply it to the current or future task. Through the use of technology, I will be able to help people to learn, be motivated and connected to the material and people involved with the entire course or task. The challenge is for me to have a personal connection with each of my students, whether in a classroom or with a distance learner, so that I can find which learning style is appropriate and then be an encourager to that person to keep them motivated and engaged in the entire learning process for their own personal success and mine.
References:
1. . Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson.
2. Karl Kapp: http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html
3. Video Program: “Connectivism”
4. Keller, J. M. (1999). Using the ARCS motivational process in computer-based instruction and distance education. New Directions for Teaching and Learning (78).
This course has been challenging and informative. The material in this course has increased my knowledge of how people learn and the many theories that have been developed. There are two main points that stuck out more than the others. First, when it comes to learning and retrieval it is important to understand how the information was “learned” in order for it to be retrieved. As it stated in the book, “Learning Theories and Instruction” (2009), “Retrieval depends on the manner of encoding.” Part of this retrieval can involve emotions and this is important to the memory or retrieval process as well.
The second main or striking point that I found interesting was that we not only all learn differently, but we can learn differently depending on the task itself. We may have one learning style for one task but a totally different style for something else. As Karl Kapp suggests in his blog, “The issue many forget is that “learning” is not one thing… it is a multi-layered work that tends to get treated as if it were just one thing… and it’s not.”
Personal Learning Process:
My learning process is, as is in all people, a combination of all the learning theories and styles. As was stated in the video, “Connectivism,” “Education is complex.” However, I find myself drawn to Connectivism for my personal style. When I can connect the material to other topics or something else I have learned, it helps me to retain and eventually retrieve the new material. Whether it is a key word, an emotion, a personal experience or a previously learned fact, connecting new information to one of those is very important to my learning.
Connecting Learning, Technology and Motivation:
As technology is being created, so are the applications to learning being explored. Since people have different learning styles, not all technology will be for every person. The challenge is using the current and future technology to not only help people to learn but to motivate them as well. The youth of today and the coming generations are prone to using technology on many levels and will not only expect to use technology in their learning, but will require it to motivate them to learn in their own style, to keep their attention, provide relevance, instill confidence and ultimately bring satisfaction to their learning and goals. (Keller’s ARCS model)
Instructional Design:
This course has reintroduced to me the various learning theories and styles of people, which is important to know when designing instruction. As I begin to create materials for people on any academic level, I can use the theories to keep me focused on how someone can accept the material being presented, absorb it into their own memory and apply it to the current or future task. Through the use of technology, I will be able to help people to learn, be motivated and connected to the material and people involved with the entire course or task. The challenge is for me to have a personal connection with each of my students, whether in a classroom or with a distance learner, so that I can find which learning style is appropriate and then be an encourager to that person to keep them motivated and engaged in the entire learning process for their own personal success and mine.
References:
1. . Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson.
2. Karl Kapp: http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html
3. Video Program: “Connectivism”
4. Keller, J. M. (1999). Using the ARCS motivational process in computer-based instruction and distance education. New Directions for Teaching and Learning (78).
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