Throughout this course as I furthered my knowledge about how people learn, the most surprising thing I found was how big of a part one’s prior knowledge and experience plays in his or her learning. Being able to relate new information to old information makes a huge difference in how fast and how long one retains the new information. Learning this helped me to understand my own learning process especially. I have always had the idea that repetition was the main cause behind my retaining information. Therefore, when I encountered times where I repeated information a lot but still failed to remember or learn it, I had a hard time understanding what was going wrong. This course helped me to understand that the failure was occurring because I was not aware of the fact that when I am fed information that I can tie to what I already am familiar with, I am able to learn and regurgitate it much faster. This notion is one that I believe to be relevant to all learners regardless of their preferred method(s) of learning.
There are several different styles, theories, technologies and reasons for motivation when it comes to learning. Although they are all different, all however are connected because they have a strong dependency upon each other. Motivation is probably the most important of them all. In order to successfully learn, one must have some sort of motivation to do so. After the motivation is established, the different learning theories can be exercised through different learning styles and technologies. Also, the type of technology and learning style can influence and help maintain an individual’s motivation for learning. Presenting a variety in the two can keep a learner from losing interest in the subject at hand.
As I further my career in the field of Instructional Design, the knowledge I acquired from this course will certainly serve as a good foundation. One of the most important things for me to carry along was mentioned in an article by Merrium. It was stated that adult learning is a complex phenomenon that can never be reduced to a single, simple explanation. This article’s focus was on adult learning but I believe these words have relevance to learners of all ages. This simply says that everyone does not learn the same; therefore, there is no one right answer or way to teach individuals. It’s about tuning into learners as individuals to find out how they learn best.
Sheree
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Fitting the Pieces Together
The information that this class has presented to me on the different learning theories and learning styles over the last 6 weeks has definitely been enlightening. It has really given me a better understanding on how I personally process information and why others digest information they way that they do as well.
One of the biggest misconceptions that I had about my own learning, was how I viewed the role of repetition. I was under impression that the more I repeated information, the more I would be guaranteed to learn it. However, periodically, when I would experience times where I could not remember things that I has spent a lot time memorizing or repeating, it made me question my learning abilities a little bit. It was after listening to Dr. Jeanne Ormrod’s piece on information processing that I learned that how easy information is retrieved depends on how it was stored. I had trouble recalling some of the information that I has been storing (repeating) because during my storing process, I was not linking it to things or situations I was already familiar with. When new information is linked to old information, it is much easier to recall it because you then know where to look.
When it comes to learning, I have always had the preference to see and actually do (if action is required) what I am being taught. Therefore, I labeled myself as a visual and kinesthetic learner. Also at times, depending on the situation, the need to hear information has made learning more reachable as well. When I have more than one of these styles in progress, learning is much more successful. As Dr. Ormrod said, encoding information in more that one way, increases its chance of reaching the long term memory. That helped me to understand why I feel need to have new information presented to me in more than one form in order for me to grasp it.
Learning about the role of motivation also helped me to understand my learning preferences. I kind of always had its relevance to learning in the back of my mind but I never really gave it much thought until entering this class. Without motivation, the knowledge I gave acquired would not have taken place. Something was present that made me want to learn…may it have been a situation, a person, a certain goal, etc. Motivation is a very important factor for me, as I’m sure it is for others, as I continue this online course and approach those that are to follow. For, as stated in an article on adult learning by Conlan, Grabowski, and Smith, motivation is key to self-directed learning. Therefore, its existence is very necessary.
Technology plays a very large role in my learning as well. It just simply makes things easier and more convenient. Being able to have computers, storage devices, the Internet, cell phones, and the software applications that allow you to use the previous items to research, store, share and process information in just about any location, is pretty close to being priceless to me.
One of the biggest misconceptions that I had about my own learning, was how I viewed the role of repetition. I was under impression that the more I repeated information, the more I would be guaranteed to learn it. However, periodically, when I would experience times where I could not remember things that I has spent a lot time memorizing or repeating, it made me question my learning abilities a little bit. It was after listening to Dr. Jeanne Ormrod’s piece on information processing that I learned that how easy information is retrieved depends on how it was stored. I had trouble recalling some of the information that I has been storing (repeating) because during my storing process, I was not linking it to things or situations I was already familiar with. When new information is linked to old information, it is much easier to recall it because you then know where to look.
When it comes to learning, I have always had the preference to see and actually do (if action is required) what I am being taught. Therefore, I labeled myself as a visual and kinesthetic learner. Also at times, depending on the situation, the need to hear information has made learning more reachable as well. When I have more than one of these styles in progress, learning is much more successful. As Dr. Ormrod said, encoding information in more that one way, increases its chance of reaching the long term memory. That helped me to understand why I feel need to have new information presented to me in more than one form in order for me to grasp it.
Learning about the role of motivation also helped me to understand my learning preferences. I kind of always had its relevance to learning in the back of my mind but I never really gave it much thought until entering this class. Without motivation, the knowledge I gave acquired would not have taken place. Something was present that made me want to learn…may it have been a situation, a person, a certain goal, etc. Motivation is a very important factor for me, as I’m sure it is for others, as I continue this online course and approach those that are to follow. For, as stated in an article on adult learning by Conlan, Grabowski, and Smith, motivation is key to self-directed learning. Therefore, its existence is very necessary.
Technology plays a very large role in my learning as well. It just simply makes things easier and more convenient. Being able to have computers, storage devices, the Internet, cell phones, and the software applications that allow you to use the previous items to research, store, share and process information in just about any location, is pretty close to being priceless to me.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Connectivism: Connections Facilitating Learning
How has your network changed the way you learn?
My network has certainly changed the way I learn. It allows me to tap into information in ways that can present a broader range of knowledge. This is true because I have the opportunity to interact with individuals to exchange thoughts, opinions and ideas on different subjects. My network also allows more convenient ways of learning. For example, having the option to do research within university libraries without having to physically go to one is certainly a change that can be appreciated due to the convenience factor it presents.
Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
There are quite a few digital tools that assist me in learning. However, I would have to say that email and online search engines best facilitate learning for me. These two are the most common because I believe they are used the most by the average person.
How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?
Asking questions is very important part of learning. When I have questions about something that I am trying to learn, I first try to find the answers for myself. This is done through the internet may it be through a Google search or a search through Walden's or USC's online library systems. To me that helps me in learning it. When I take the time to research something, that process or event itself, usually helps me to, in the future, recall or remember what I have learned. However, a lot of the times it depends on what it is I am trying to understand. If it is something I absolutely have no clue about, having the option to personally contact another individual usually helps the most.
In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?
My personal learning network definitely supports the concept of connectivism. Within all of my outlets lie a network that allows the use of technology to transfer information between myself and other individuals. I constantly use such technologies as email, listservs, intranets, remote assistance, etc at work to communicate information between myself and co-workers. For purposes related to school, blogs, email, and online libraries are utilized to share and receive information.
My network has certainly changed the way I learn. It allows me to tap into information in ways that can present a broader range of knowledge. This is true because I have the opportunity to interact with individuals to exchange thoughts, opinions and ideas on different subjects. My network also allows more convenient ways of learning. For example, having the option to do research within university libraries without having to physically go to one is certainly a change that can be appreciated due to the convenience factor it presents.
Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
There are quite a few digital tools that assist me in learning. However, I would have to say that email and online search engines best facilitate learning for me. These two are the most common because I believe they are used the most by the average person.
How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?
Asking questions is very important part of learning. When I have questions about something that I am trying to learn, I first try to find the answers for myself. This is done through the internet may it be through a Google search or a search through Walden's or USC's online library systems. To me that helps me in learning it. When I take the time to research something, that process or event itself, usually helps me to, in the future, recall or remember what I have learned. However, a lot of the times it depends on what it is I am trying to understand. If it is something I absolutely have no clue about, having the option to personally contact another individual usually helps the most.
In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?
My personal learning network definitely supports the concept of connectivism. Within all of my outlets lie a network that allows the use of technology to transfer information between myself and other individuals. I constantly use such technologies as email, listservs, intranets, remote assistance, etc at work to communicate information between myself and co-workers. For purposes related to school, blogs, email, and online libraries are utilized to share and receive information.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
EDUC 6115-1 Week 2: Interesting Sites on the Information Processing Theory and the Role the Brain Plays in Learning
I came across two sites that seem to be good resources for insight on how the brain relates to learning and insight on the information processing theory. To begin with, besides the information each site gives, the main reason these sites stood out to me was because they both gave good sound information without being too technical/over whelming or going into “information overload”. The information is presented in a simple, easy to read and straight forward manner.
The site on the information processing theory pretty much captures the same information that Dr. Ormrod presented in our resources for this week. It really talks about how relating the newly received material to material one already has in LTM (encoding) really has an affect on how successful one is at storing and retrieving information. This site also gives info on how to go about helping individuals to enable/trigger this information processing strategy.
This site can be reached via the following URL: http://www.uky.edu/TASC/ED/cognitivetheory.php
The site on brain-based learning talks about how learning occurs when the brain is in a state where it’s able function normally. I see this site to be a valuable resource because it gives info on how the brain’s function really plays a big part in how effective learning techniques are. It presents a good look at different techniques and experiences instructors can create to help ensure learning is successful.
This site can be reached via the following URL: http://www.funderstanding.com/content/brain-based-learning.
Enjoy!
The site on the information processing theory pretty much captures the same information that Dr. Ormrod presented in our resources for this week. It really talks about how relating the newly received material to material one already has in LTM (encoding) really has an affect on how successful one is at storing and retrieving information. This site also gives info on how to go about helping individuals to enable/trigger this information processing strategy.
This site can be reached via the following URL: http://www.uky.edu/TASC/ED/cognitivetheory.php
The site on brain-based learning talks about how learning occurs when the brain is in a state where it’s able function normally. I see this site to be a valuable resource because it gives info on how the brain’s function really plays a big part in how effective learning techniques are. It presents a good look at different techniques and experiences instructors can create to help ensure learning is successful.
This site can be reached via the following URL: http://www.funderstanding.com/content/brain-based-learning.
Enjoy!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
EDUC 6115-1 Week 1
After browsing the internet and finding several blogs relating to instructional design, I finally narrowed it down to the three blogs that I believe will be the most useful to me in the instructional design field.
The first site is that of the Instructional Design and Development blog belonging to DePaul University. This blog is focused on providing information on using technology to enhance instruction and it is operated by the staff of DePaul’s Instructional Design and Development department. I believe this site will serve as good resource for me because it will offer insight on how I can be more technology driven with the training and instruction sessions I will be giving in the future. Also the DePaul staff that contributes to this site vary in age, backgrounds, and professions within the ID field and I believe that will give a great mix to the information that will be posted from their end. This blog can be reached via the following URL: http://www.iddblog.org/.
The second site is Instructional Design Central (http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/). I believe this site will be a great resource because it seems to offer a little bit of everything relating to the instructional design field from the different relevant jobs and available degrees to upcoming informational conferences and active forums/blogs
(http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/htm/IDC_instructionaldesignforums.htm) its purpose is for both the student and the professional in this field; therefore, I believe it will provide an excellent chance to get and provide feedback/information from all educated levels.
The last blog I chose, is that of Tier1 Performance Solutions. Tier1 Performance Solutions is a company that, overall, specializes in training for better performance. They do this by using Performance 1, a software package that allows them to provide training development, web-based learning, application development, communications, content management, knowledge management, change management, web portals, and instructor-led delivery to their clients. Their blog serves as place where topics/ideas relating to their expertise are shared. I believe this blog to be beneficial because a lot of the services that they offer are relevant to some of the job duties I am and will soon be responsible for. The blog for Tier1 can be reached via the following URL: http://tier1.wordpress.com/.
Again, I personally found these three blogs to be resourceful. However, by all means if time allows you, please feel free to check them out as well.
The first site is that of the Instructional Design and Development blog belonging to DePaul University. This blog is focused on providing information on using technology to enhance instruction and it is operated by the staff of DePaul’s Instructional Design and Development department. I believe this site will serve as good resource for me because it will offer insight on how I can be more technology driven with the training and instruction sessions I will be giving in the future. Also the DePaul staff that contributes to this site vary in age, backgrounds, and professions within the ID field and I believe that will give a great mix to the information that will be posted from their end. This blog can be reached via the following URL: http://www.iddblog.org/.
The second site is Instructional Design Central (http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/). I believe this site will be a great resource because it seems to offer a little bit of everything relating to the instructional design field from the different relevant jobs and available degrees to upcoming informational conferences and active forums/blogs
(http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/htm/IDC_instructionaldesignforums.htm) its purpose is for both the student and the professional in this field; therefore, I believe it will provide an excellent chance to get and provide feedback/information from all educated levels.
The last blog I chose, is that of Tier1 Performance Solutions. Tier1 Performance Solutions is a company that, overall, specializes in training for better performance. They do this by using Performance 1, a software package that allows them to provide training development, web-based learning, application development, communications, content management, knowledge management, change management, web portals, and instructor-led delivery to their clients. Their blog serves as place where topics/ideas relating to their expertise are shared. I believe this blog to be beneficial because a lot of the services that they offer are relevant to some of the job duties I am and will soon be responsible for. The blog for Tier1 can be reached via the following URL: http://tier1.wordpress.com/.
Again, I personally found these three blogs to be resourceful. However, by all means if time allows you, please feel free to check them out as well.
Have a good one!
Sheree
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)