0 Reflection

 I found this course very motivating. I was able to understand how I learn and I have adapted some techniques to enhance my learning. I have learned that people have different learning styles and learning materials needs to be presented in a variety of formats. In addition, in order for the learner to become interested in a topic, the instructor must gain their attention and allow them to relate it to prior experience.  In addition, I found the concept of Andragogy interesting.  I do believe adult learners should be self-directed and autonomous and the instructor should play the role of the facilitator of the learning.

 Understanding learning style differences is thus an important step in designing balanced instruction that is effective for all students” (p. 3 ).  It is important that instructional designers know that the learning environment should be designed to understand the differences of the learning environment and take them into consideration (Ormrod). This course has allowed me to develop a motivation for learning and gain insight into my strengths and weaknesses.

The connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation is important in order for the instructional design to teach effectively. In addition, the instructor must understand each learning theory, to stay abreast on the latest technology and use techniques to motivate the learner.  

My goal as an Instructional Designer is to make learning interesting by incorporating social interaction, feedback and positive reinforcement.  The understanding of the learning theory will influence my work as an instructional designer because it will teach me to be structured, timely, precise, and organized. Furthermore, to provide the learner with the best learning experience I would incorporate components of Behaviorist, Cognitivist, and Constructivist theories in my instruction.

Ormrod, J. Learning Styles and Strategies. Retrieved  December 24, 2010 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4603372&Survey=1&47=7729129&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

0 Fitting the Pieces Together

In the past several weeks, it has been very useful learning about the different learning theories and styles. However, I still agree with Bill Kerr (2007), that we need to take fragments from each philosophy and apply it successfully.  I was very impressed by Connectivism because it incorporates information, technology and social networks. It seems more relevant for the leaner of today.

As I viewed each of the learning theories, I realize each learning theory and style plays a significant role in my personal learning. I believe the behaviorist theory will always have an acceptable place in instruction because it provides the learner with the ability to have a stimulus-response, which may explain many human behaviors.  In addition, studying the Cognitive theory has allowed me understand how to sort out, choose, arrange, and incorporate newly learned information. The Constructivist Theory had given me the understanding why instructor’s roles can change from instructors to facilitators. It also emphasized communication between the instructor and the students and but also student-to-student communication.  The Social Learning Theory and the contribution of Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development) allowed me to realize there is a difference between what a learner can do without assistance and what he or she can do with assistance(Timeline of the History of Learning). Furthermore, Connectivism allowed me to understand how instructors put together content yet give the learner the ability to put all it all to collaborate with their cohorts. Additionally, the Adult learning theory emphasized a term called Andragogy from  Malcolm Knowles. I agree with Knowles that adult learners want to be responsible for their own learning.

         Technology plays a major role in my learning because not only I am taking an online course but also I am a web designer.  I have to keep abreast of the latest technologies because they change all the time. In addition, technology is such an important part in our lives we cannot ignore the importance of learning it.  

Kerr, B. (2007). _isms as filter, not blinker [blog]. Retrieved December18, 2010 from: http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html.

Timeline of the History of Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18, 2010, from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/Walden/EDUC/6115/01/mm/tec_timeline.html

0 Mapping Your Learning Connections – Reflection

My networks have made me realize my interactions consist more of using technology than human interaction.  I feel lost without my laptop or cell phone. For example, I dropped my cell phone in water two weeks ago and I was extremely upset. My mom said that technology has made people spoiled and lazy. She believes because of the internet people do not read and study anymore.  She made some relevant points. I do not totally agree but it made me think, what would I do if I did not have access to any technology?  How would I function?

            In addition, I use email, Facebook, Yahoo IM, Google IM, to engage others. It gives me the opportunity to converse with people all over the nation.  I use sites like YouTube and Pandora to listen to music and view videos.  At my employment, I use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook to generate reports, presentations and correspondences.  Furthermore, I use the Walden University library to access journals, eBooks, and databases. I use the Walden University discussion board for collaboration with my cohorts and instructor.

 I have gained a wealth of new knowledge by answering questions and by participating in the discussion post and blogs.  I am learning from a variety of  the opinions and feedback.  I am appreciative to be on forum that you can ask questions to your cohorts, email the instructor and receive a response promptly. Additionally, I use YouTube to find solutions to technical problems and web designer tips.

My personal network supports the concept of Connectivism because it has allowed me to make the connection with the knowledge I am learning and the real world. Connectivism allows me to share a new idea or concept with friends, family, co-workers, cohorts and instructors.

0 Connectivism

Mapping My Learning Connections- Click on picture to make larger.

0 Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources

I found an article on brains.org named Stress-a land mine for the brain by Dr. Kathie F. Nunley.  She states stress is more than distressing but it is unsafe to the mind and body. In addition, she states it can initiate other problem and can hinder short-term memory. Furthermore, large amounts of stress associated with fear and anxiety can affect the learning process. Yet on the other hand, she states a small amount of stress can keep arousal levels elevated enough to finish a task.  

As a student, I often feel stressed and overwhelmed. I do agree a small amount of stress keeps me aroused enough to be determine to complete my assignments and submit them on time.

Next I found an article Training and plasticity of working memory using the Walden Universities Library from the PsycINFO database. It is believed that our working memory can be improved by be enhanced by adaptive and extensive training in the brains frontal and parietal cortex, basal ganglia. In addition, Changes in the dopamine receptors.  This training would consist of repetition, feedback, rehearsal, chunking and meta-cognitive strategies. This would be beneficial for individuals who have a low working memory to help with their academic performance.

Klingberg, T. (2010). Training and plasticity of working memory. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 14(7), 317-324. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2010.05.002.

Nunley, K. (2010) Working with Styles. Retrieved November 14, 2010, from:  http://help4teachers.com/learningstyles.htm

0 The Doorway to Professional Learning Communities

The three blogs I visited were very informative. The first blog was one of Cathy Moore's.  Cathy Moore has extensive experience in Instructional Design. I found her bio online very impressive. She started as a technical writer for personal computer users and a trainer. In addition, many of her articles appear in library trade publications. Furthermore, she has presented workshops, developed and marketed new information products.

            She started providing distance education for adults when she joined the award winning Independent Learning program at the University of Wisconsin. What I found most astounding is that she has been in E-learning since 1998. She started out as a k-12 market and switched to corporate learning in 2001.

            In her blog, Learning styles: Worth our time? She presented the question, if you had time to evaluate the research on learning styles, what would you conclude? I cannot answer this question at this time but by the end of this class, I will be able.  Furthermore, her post are easy to comprehend and insightful.

The next site I investigated was of Charles Jennings. He is the Managing Director of Duntroon Associates, a Performance and Productivity consultancy company located in the United Kingdom.  The article Instructional Design or Interactivity Design in an interconnected world is very interesting.  Jennings states in the blog, that structured learning is content-rich and interaction-poor.  At the end of this class, I hope to have the tools to design, develop and deliver content rich learning. I recommend this article to my fellow cohorts.

The last blog I investigated was of Christy Tucker.  She has several blogs under the topic, Best of Experiencing E-Learning. Her blog, What does an Instructional  Designer Do? is an overview of the responsibility of an instructional designer.

All of these blogs are very interesting. I plan to utilize their information in my understanding of Instructional Design.