Week 7 Application - Blog Assignment

Week 7 Application – Blog Assignment: Fitting the Pieces Together

At the start of this Instructional Design course, we were challenged to look at ourselves as learners and identify our personal learning styles. In week one, wee looked at understanding learning processes. I felt I primarily functioned under cognitive theory, but expressed that thinking styles change over time, because I saw clear changes within myself from youth to adult in terms of retaining information. I also pointed out that I often have to reread a few times before comprehending. As we’ve moved through the weeks of study on the brain, behaviors, learning styles and theories, I have gained a clear picture and made concrete connections as to what my learning habits conclude, how I can change my learning weaknesses and use my strengths to enhance my learning experiences.
I thought I was a left (sided) brain thinker because I am left handed. In week two I took an online quiz on www.web-us.com/brain/braindominance.htm
It was the Hemispheric Domain Test, and the results determined that I use my right brain the most. This was based on me answering thirteen out of eighteen questions as a right brain person and five out of eighteen questions as a left brain person. This shows that we do use both sides of our brain, but the dominant side is the side most used, and/or that gets the most exercise. Taking this test helped me to internalize and understand the relevance of the hemisphere styles, and applying it to oneself help in seeing the traits in others.
I have already cosigned with Gestalt and Thorndike that no single theory can adequately account for all learning. Dr. Ormrod cautioned about learning styles – “it’s not as simple” as made to sound. She inferred that not all learning styles are legitimate, and suggests as an alternative, that we use strategies that can work for anyone – it’s an optimistic view on how to help people learn by teaching applicable strategies such as:
1. Elaboration – means of taking information – a constructive process.
2. Comprehension monitoring – means of stopping periodically and checking oneself for understanding of material read
I highlight her points here, because these are strategies I have reintroduced (from use in earlier years – now given cause to reflect on) from review in this course and they are working for me. Ertmer confirmed that choosing just one theory in designing theory is not enough. This would limit not only the ability of the instructor, but limit the varian learner’s ability to grasp the intended learning outcome.
I am still of the mindset of not committing to one theory or limiting oneself to a single school of thought. All material discussed and reviewed has confirmed for me that there is a need for all theory forms in order to have strategies and forms to pull from in creating/preparing for learners. As far as the use of technology in my learning, through this course I have expanded my use of the discussion board and the online library, added the use of blogs, Google alerts, mind-mapping, and changed the way I view online networks such as facebook, linked-In, and other blog post search sites.

Sources

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

Gilbert, J., & Swanier, C. (2008). Learning styles: How do they fluctuate? Retrieved Dec. 8, 2009 from
http://www.auburn.edu/witteje/ilsrj/journal%20Volumes/Fall%202008%20Volume%201%20PDFs/Learning%20Styles%20How%20do%20They%20Fluctuate.pdf

Orey, Michael. (2001). Information Processing. Retrieved Nov. 9, 2009 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/

Ormrod, Dr. Jeanne. (2009). Learning Styles and Strategies Laureate Education, Inc. [Transcript] Retrieved Dec. 8, 2009.

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and Instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson.

EBSCOhost: Engaging Learners in Online Learning Environments

EBSCOhost: Engaging Learners in Online Learning Environments

Students creating through Technology

Going through the edutopia site today, I came across an article done on 10 students and the use of technology in the classroom. I was very impressed with the video done on Jalen, a 7th grader. At twelve years old, he is more versed in media design and technology use than I as a Instructional Design & Technology adult learner. Jalen displays a comfort level and interest that has inspired me. I guess he is a perfect example of students of the era of technology and what happens when you engage your child at a young age - he's been using computers since age three. I applaud his parents for giving Jalen the jumping board to excelerate to this level - It is clear that he has desire and drive that can take him further into the world of media creation.
Here is the site link http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-profile-jalen-video and the video below. Hope its interesting to you as well.

Mindmap

Iris W.L. Thank You for being Conduits to the Progression of Our Future (Youth) Eph.6:10-11: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against...

Week 5 Reflection on connections facilitating learning

Week 5 Application Reflection: Connections facilitating learning

Having networks has definitely added to my learning and allows for continued growth as we are in an ever-changing era with the advancements of technology occurring daily. Coming from a primarily traditional educational background, I was very comfortable working with classmates/schoolmates and using the school setting as a place to expand new contacts into friend and colleague circles. The daily face-to-face interaction tends to be a faster relation building environment. Moving into the non-traditional learning environment is a new experience for me. At this point, I find it to be an interesting and unpredictable dynamic. In my first course, I didn’t see major differences aside from not having the face-to-face interactions and the asynchronous flexibility to accommodate many schedules. Now in my second course, I am finding (what seems to be) limitations in addressing the needs of learners/students at different levels. In a classroom setting, an instructor can curtail the lesson to include those that are advanced without loosing those that are new to the concepts. I am not seeing this in this course. Keeping in mind that this is very early in the process, this is not a concrete determination, but merely an observation in review needing more to go on. But it is definitely something I would take into consideration in preparing to meet the needs of learners and designing curriculum.

The added attributes of networking is the opportunity to bounce thoughts and ideas off of others without having to wait to get to a classroom. Also, learning from others shared experiences that you have on hand to reflect upon and ask questions as they arise without limitations.

The digital tools that have assisted me thus far are the question and answer posting board, discussion post, the Walden library resources and Google alerts. I gain new knowledge through weekly discussions of readings and lessons, through researching further related topics and sharing discussions with others (colleagues, friends and family) for additional feedback.

My personal network supports the complexities of learning through dialogue and discussions on the posting board, blogs, and shared directly related experiences of one another. With the abundance of information available through varian sources, it can be overwhelming at times; but it helps to have a network to help decipher through the useful and most credible/reliable sources.

Constructivism - Mindmap

Week 5 Assignment to create a mindmap. The focus of this week was constructivism and adult learning.

Week 3 Discussion: Cognitivism and behaviorism

Week 3 Discussion: Cognitivism and Behaviorism

This week in our discussion about learning, the focus is on two blog discussions sharing views on the ‘ism’, cognitivism, behaviorism, constructivism and connectivism.
“isms as filter, not blinker” http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html by Bill Kerr is the primary subject of discussion in both blogs. The second, Out and About: Discussion on Educational School of Thought” http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html by Karl Kapp, is the result of an ongoing conversation with Stephen Downes about the aforementioned. Having read these entries first, I was very interested in reading Kerr’s points of views thoroughly.

In viewing these discussions, it was confirmed for me that people take strong stances on the theory they believe in/follow. As I’ve mentioned in previous discussions, I am not committed to any on theory or a follower of any single school of thought. I am in agreement that there are needs for all forms as we prepare or attempt to address the learner. As Instructional Designers, all must be considered to provide adequate curriculum for the whole learner. Focusing on one theory would be limiting – one dimensional. I don’t think its so much of taking the best from each philosophy(Kapp) as it is using what’s needed from different schools of thought – because who’s to determine what’s best? Wouldn’t it depend on the need being met/the style needed to reach the learner? I was very pleased to see learning viewed as multi-layered and not singly tied to one theory or the other. I agree that learning is multi-facetted, and that is why it is important to know varying philosophies. Having the “isms”, if not for no other reason, provokes thought and challenges one to research further.

Here's a direct link to the youtube video. (still learning how to post stuff) :-) please bear with me. Thank you.

Hi. Just viewed Dr. Merrell's video and thought it was informative, insightful and helpful. I was just thinking yesterday about the numerous amount of information available on instructional design and trying to determine what I should focus on or skip. Dr. Merrell talks about this. Just wanted to share it with my classmates and anyone who's interested in viewing. See link below.
Hope its helpful. Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_TKaO2-jXA&feature=player_embedded

Overview of Instructional Design resource blogs bookmarked

As a new blogger- with this new opportunity to share information and fullfill my course requirements, I am displaying blogs that contain information on Instructional Design and learning/elearning. As I obtain new information, I will share it. These feeds thus far, highlight the ideas behind elearning in Instructional design. There are examples of theoretical thought process and information on different theorist that have contributed to each theory.
The following are 3 I'm highlighting for others to check out.

1. This one focused on learning objectives. It was the second sight I went to, and thought it was a simple easy read. Not too overwhelming with a lot of information, but gave a nice break down of questions we might have as we search and explore this new area (information blogs)
http://5ddigitalcomm.wordpress.com/2009/11/05/faqs-what-is-a-learning-objective/

2. This blog I found through the link within our course resources. It wasnt the first one I went to, but after creating the layout and going back to review the assignment, I reread the reference to our resource materials. So, here again is a direct connection to the course and and discussion of this week - Ideas on instructional design for elearning and the strategies used. Ferdinand Krauss focuses on the comparance of elearning and traditional learning and highlights points of sociologist Mark Kassop who shared 10 ways that elearning "matches or supasses face-to-face learning".
http://ideas.blogs.com/lo/2004/09/benefits_of_lea.html

3. This one focused on the internet, elearning and connectivism. It was the first blog I chose, as I searched for related topics to our course discussion for this week. This blog tied right into the theories and ideals of learning. Finding this made me feel comfortable in creating this blog and writing on the topics.
http://bdld.blogspot.com/2009/09/internet-elearning-connectivism-ui.html

To make the connection for everyone, In this weeks course readings we touched on traditional and non-traditional learning, behaviorism, cognotivism, four forms of constructivism, and interactionist theories. In discussing these theories, our known theorist as far back as 470 BCE were highlighted. We're talking about Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Dewey, Vygotsky, Bloom, Skinner, Gagne, Knwles, and Prensky. The information gave me a flashback to my undergraduate studies in psychology. The material on these theories are not an easy read, but will definitely give you insight into the thought process of individuals and the styles/ways in which we learn and/or receive information. Within these chosen, everyone can find an area to relate to.

Hope you enjoy the readings and find some interest. Thank you for indulging me in this first attempt. 7 more weeks to go... ;-)