Reflection on Learning Theories and Instruction

       The most surprising thing I learned during this class was about all the different types of learning theories. I never realized how many there were and how detailed they were. After completing the matrix on the different learning theories, how important each theory was. I had heard of behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism from my undergraduate psychology classes. I always thought I would never need to know these theories, and I always had a hard time paying attention. Now I realized after this class, that I use one or many of the theories many times a day and I never noticed it before. Another thing I learned is there are three other learning theories, Connectivism, Adult Learning, and Social Learning Theory. I have learned about many of the theorists that were described in all six theories, but I never remembered their theories, I guess. It is funny, out of all the theories we reviewed I think the most interesting theories for me was Adult Learning and Connectivism.  Adult Learning is known as Andragogy, and this is the art and sciences of helping adults learn (Conlan, Grabowski & Smith, 2003). I think I find this one the most interesting because I can relate to many things that Conlan, Grabowski & Smith discuss. I thought many of the problems I was having with balancing my other responsibilities were just me, here I find out that many people have the same problems. Being an adult learner, I realize why I am sometimes struggling to read topics, it is because adults are more interested in learning about subjects that have immediate relevance to their job or personal life (Conlan, Grabowski & Smith, 2003). I also found Connectivism very interesting because this is learning theory that integrates technology, social networks, and information (Laureate Education Inc., 2009). I am the type of person that loves to stay connected via the internet with emails or Facebook, and I like to surf the internet to learn new information. 

                 After this class, I have learned a lot of information about learning processes.  Before this class, I just knew I was visual and kinesthetic. Now after learning all the information about learning processes, I understand why I learn the way I learn.  "People learn in many different ways and may even have distinctive styles for learning and processing new information" (Laureate Education Inc., 2009). This sentence sticks out to me because I have to always remember, being a teacher, not every student will learn the same way. This class helped me to have a better understand of how some of my students learn.

                I have learned that learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation are all connected because it helps a student learn. Learning theories help students or teachers to understand what approach, or theorist, they can relate to and why they learn the way they learn. Then, this feeds into learning styles. The three different types of learning styles are Visual, Auditory, or Kinesthetic. Each individual student has a specific learning style that may be different from every other student. Educational technology is connected to learning styles because some students may learn better by seeing things on a computer, or just by learning from the technology on the computer. There are many educational topics to do on the computer, and students seem to learn better, when they are on the computer. Lastly, motivation is very important to students learning. Without motivation, the students will not learn the necessary topics needed to move forward in life. With motivation, students are able to understand and take with them the topics that they are being taught. Doing different types of activities, visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, may motivate more students to want to learn. For example, Science classes should not take notes all the time, you should be doing labs which would change the notes (visual or auditory)to labs (kinesthetic) because they are up moving and creating their own learning by what they are doing. We need to get students more motivated, and many times using the educational technology can help achieve this goal. Many of my students are more motivated to work when I tell them we will be using a computer. Something to always remember, the motivation of your learners is important factor that can affect the learning environment and the overall effectiveness of the learning experience (Laureate Education Inc., 2009).

                To be a successful Instructional Designer, you need to realize what types of technology are better for learning, and which would hinder the learner. After this class, I know I need to create appropriate learning environments that include different types of learning styles. I also, if it is an adult learning situation, I need to try to incorporate ways for the information to relate to their work or personal life. I have to be able to motivate the students to make them want to learn. In doing this, I need to plan lessons/activities that are more directed towards the students. This may increase motivation, and they will want to learn more.

 

 

 

 

References

Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003). Adult learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Adult_Learning

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Introduction to scholarly writing: Purpose, audience, and evidence [DVD].Connectivism. Baltimore, MD: Author. George Siemens

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Introduction to scholarly writing: Purpose, audience, and evidence [DVD].Learning Styles and Strategies. Baltimore, MD: Author. Dr. Jeanne Ormrod

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Introduction to scholarly writing: Purpose, audience, and evidence [DVD].Motivation in Learning. Baltimore, MD: Author. Dr. Jeanne Ormrod