Addie Model

http://www.learning-theories.com/addie-model.html

Week 7 Blog Assignment – Putting the pieces together

Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed?

My first week’s analysis of my learning style was a little confusing, I was under the impression that I had a  combination of Behaviorism and Cognitivism. With specific requirements such as needing the environmental conditions that produce enough stimuli to catch my attention and the provision of hands on experienced helped me to retain information. I definitely need a  “stimuli” to jolt my attention and provide me the opportunity to reprocess the information, to place it in a short term memory until it is transferred to my long term memory when applied to previous experience.   Also important to my ability to learn is the organization of information. My learning ability is almost like a progressive (step by step) instructional process. I have found that this helps me to mentally process the information and how I would apply the information learned. I have also found from past experiences, that I retain information that is applicable to my life, work, etc.

What I have realized now, after reading about the different learning theories, is the fact that my learning style favors constructivism, which although seems to be a combination of behaviorsm and cognitivism, really applies to the adult learner's needs.  I use tend to use previous knowledge to create an understanding of information, I am a self-directed learner, and am motivated by being able to apply my new learned knowledge to benefit my life or career.  Constructivism allows us to develop our own understanding and meaning of information that makes it more useable. 

What have you learned about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain your own personal learning preferences?

First, I learned that the term “learning styles’’ refers to the notion that “individuals differ in regard to what mode of instruction or study is most effective for them” (Pashler, McDaniel, Rohrer, & Bjork, 2008, p. 105); and, a learning theory explains the underlying psychological processes that influence learning. As such, it usually includes a set of assumptions about key aspects of the learning process that can be used to generate hypotheses, which can then be tested empirically (i.e., through experimentation). (A. Artino, 2010 – Week 1 Discussion).

Second, I found out that there is a place for each learning theory depending upon the situation, curriculum and environment. A key learning process for me is the use of objectives at the beginning of a lesson, it provides me with the basis of the knowledge that I should be retain. 

What role does technology play in your learning (i.e., as a way to search for information, to record information, to create, etc.)?

As I mentioned in week 1’s discussion, I have struggled with f2f learning environments, online and e-learning have been the tools that have allowed me to succeed in education.  I seem to get “cognitive overload” when I sit in a classroom and just absorb information and try to process it.  I need time to process and analyze information; to be able to match it to something I already have knowledge of in order to retain the information.  Online learning and e-learning has provided me with the time and ability to learn.  In this class I have also been exposed to Wikis and Blogs.  This will also been an excellent tool that I plan to utilize more as I feel more comfortable able the content of my postings.  E-books and electronic articles has facilitate research for my papers, as well as for my job.  I have been able to access my Walden webpage and complete assignments using my iphone.  Based on these and many other benefits, I believe that technology plays, and will continue to play an important  role in my ability to learn, and in my development of instructional design.  

 As a matter of fact, that is what I have based my career on.  As the administrator of a learning management system for over 600 learners, I can confirm that the majority of learners welcome new technology that affords them the ability to have distance learning.

Week 5, Part 2 Blog Assignment: Personal Learning Network

How has your network changed the way you learn?   

As an e-learning developer I have utilized many tools and technologies in preparing knowledge and information transfer to learners in different environments, but mainly on a learning management system.  Thinking that I was ahead of the curve in technology has really limited my learning network in the past.  This class has exposed me to different technologies;  that in a short period of time, has provided me the ability to develop my network to include Blogging, RSS, E-books, electronic articles,  and other internet based tools.  In addition, I have realized the importance of using the community to gain other perspectives by collaborating with peers and professionals.

One of the digital tools that I feel has best facilitated learning for me is the Google RSS Reader.  Now I have the ability to log onto the internet, visit one site and gain access to pertinent information on topics that I am interested in. It saves me an enormous amount of time, because I no longer have to visit 10 websites to read postings or articles of interest.  I have a “one stop shop” where I can read all the blogs, articles, forums and industry specific feeds that I need.  Other digital tolls that have afforded me benefits to gaining knowledge are e-books, blogs, Google Scholar, and On-line libraries.

I find that the internet is one of the best tools that students and professional have access to, specifically to gaining new knowledge or researching answers to a specific question.  For example, if I was interested in researching the percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD in the United States, I would simply log onto Google Scholar and type How ADHD Children are in the U.S., and the results could be anywhere from 10 – 100 links where articles and research data can be obtained.  Other ways of gaining knowledge is by blogging, which is a new tool obtained in this class for me, also communicating with your peers by actively participating in postings. 

I would like to begin my conclusion with, I did not know that I had a personal learning network until I completed this week’s Mind Mapping exercise and realized, that my personal learning network supports the central tenets of connectivism.  It consists of interactions with my peers and an expanded network of knowing community, such as industry-specific blogs, that are based on postings and conversations, on sharing knowledge and perspectives, in creating and participating in learning activities, not as a separate individual, but as a shared activity with my peers and professors.

Just as an FYI, I did a little research just to add to our networking topic:

In May, the Institute for Corporate Productivity, in conjunction with HR.com, surveyed 322 business executives whose average age ranged from 36 to 45. Surprisingly, 65 percent of respondents said they use social networking sites for both professional and personal reasons. Of these sites, the most frequently used were LinkedIn and Yahoo 360°.

The survey identified various ways business professionals use these sites:

•  Forty-nine percent use them to get answers to issues they are facing on their jobs. 
• Forty-seven percent use the networks to connect with potential clients and to showcase their skills.¹ 

 Also...

“These shared spaces can become the locus of rich and satisfying experiences in collaborative learning , an interactive group knowledge building process in which the learners actively construct knowledge by formulating ideas that are shared with and built upon through the reactions and responses of others. ²

1.     1.  James Meister, Social Networking Survey, 2007

2.     2.  Harasim, L. et al., Learning Networks: A Field Guild to teaching and learning; 2001

Application Week 5: Connectivism

Application Week #2: Student Approaches to Learning and Studying

http://eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED308201.pdf

"A contemporary research in student learning that refers to the ways in which students go about learning. A theory of learning is presented that accentuates the interaction between the person and the situation. Research evidence implies a form of meta-cognition called meta-learning, the awareness of students of their own learning processes and their increasing control over them. The concept of meta-learning leads to a model of student learning in which relationships among personal factors, the situational context, approaches to learning, and quality of outcome are mediated by the students' meta-learning capability. Instruments have been designed to measure the extent to which students endorse common approaches to learning tasks. The research that resulted in the formulation of the theory of student learning is described, as are the sampling, instruments, and methods of the basic studies that determined the reliability and validity of the two instruments."  (Biggs John B.)


I believe this article will benefit instructional designers because it provides different approaches and instruments that can be utilized in assisting us to develop courses or mdoules, lessons or simply providing students with information on how best to learn.  


Reference:  Briggs, John B., Students Approaches to Learning and Studying; Australian Council for Educational Research Ltd., Radford House, Frederick St., Hawthorn 3122, Australia pages: 153

Application Week #2: Understanding a Brain Based Approach to Learning and Teaching

Website:

http://www.coe.iup.edu/grbieger/classes/curr910/Readings/Brainbasedlearning.pdf

Although the article is dated back to 1990, the information provides a good understanding about the importance of educators becoming aware of how the brain works, and the impact that condition and environment plays in optimizing the learning experience. 

The 9 principles of the brain-based approach to learning and teaching are described.  For example, “Principle #1 The brain is a parallel processor which performs many functions simultaneously.  We do not realize that while we are learning, our brain is making us breathe, hear and see without any interruption to the learning process.  Principle #2 Learning engages the entire physiology such as the heart, lungs and brain.  Learning is a natural as breathing.”…Principle #8 Learning always involves the conscious and unconscious process. 

The objective of brain-based learning it moving from memorizing information to meaningful learning.  Brain –based learning is not a theory it is a learning approach.

Reference:

(Caine, G and Caine, R.N.) Understanding a Brain Based Approach to Learning and Teaching; Educational Leadership, Oct. 1990: 66-70

Great Audio Tips for Instructional Designers

Found an excellent posting from the WordPress.com for Intructional Designers that offers great tips for instructional designers who are interested in getting more information onhow to add audio, what microphone to use and even info on how far you should be from the microphone.  Log in and read:

http://www.pr-interactive.com/web-design-resources/2010/07/10-tips-for-capturing-e-learning-audio/

Edublogs

www.edublogs.org

Edublogs has been hosting a custom blogging platform for teachers, schools and students.  It has grown to be one of the largest and most trusted blogging site for teachers and students. 

Although I have not had much experience with Blogs, they strike me to as a great place to provide information for access anytime and anywhere, including social networking and interaction; and to have the ability to openly share thoughts and achievements.

Edublog is an easy access location to share documents, materials, and even downloads.  Anything that is posted is accessible by all students who have an account.   It facilitates online discussions through simple to use forums. 

More and more teachers are encouraging blogs for planning and reflecting on classess and projets.  Another popular way teachers and students are using Edublog is by making regular updates about assignments, events, and anything going on in class.  This keeps the student informed and extends the classroom to any place that has access to the internet. 

Edublogs is a great place to post group projects, ePortfolios, school newspapers, reflection journals, class websites, and much more!  One of the most powerful features of Edublogs is the ability for teachers to easily create and manage blogs for students.

Basic Competencies and Skills for Instructional Designers

http://en.wordpress.com/tag/instructional-design/ 

As the field of instructional design continues to rapidly change, ID are constantly looking for new ways to challenge our the learners. The Wordpress.com for Instructional Designers offers new ideas and tools to enhance online learning as well as other training modalities.  I have listed some of the topics that I read about in just a few days of postings. 

• Communication skills
• Project management skills
• Knowledge of Instructional Design models
• Technology skills
• Problem solving skills
• Decision making skills 

There was also an excellent posting about Measuring Success: Who Needs Business Results Anyway?  I think as Instructional Designers we all do, and our employers and customers expect it.  It states, “it is becoming more critical that learning and development professional communicate the value of their work throughout the organization.  

Do you need a job description for an Instructional Designer, well they have an excellent on on this site.  Interested?  Then, log on to this blog.

TeachersFirst.com

www.teachersfirst.com

TeachersFirst.com is a web resource created and maintained by teachers for teachers.  It provides collections of lessons and web resources.  It is designed to save time for teachers by providing “practical and user friendly classroom ready content along with thousands of reviewed web resources.”

It contains a collection of original content, internet resources, lessons plans, and tool drawn from around the world.  Each resource is selected and reviewed by one of their reviewers, all of who have classroom experience.    TeacherFirst  specifically focuses on tools and resources that can be used in teaching.  They provide content specific to subject or topics that relate to a classroom instruction.  This site does not include the type of information that someone can obtained free on the web.

One of the benefits of this site is the ability to search for lessons by subject, topic and/or by keyword.  In addition, it contains an Editor’s blog that provides continuous information that is beneficial to teachers.   This site will help me in my career if I have to design training for a lower level educated group.  For example, in my organization, we have a manufacturing plant that employs over 200 persons who have a 9 – 10 grade education.  They are excellent in their jobs, but when we are structuring training for the company, we always have to have special tools and  resources to assist them in learning.  This site will provide me with some of those resources. 

Welcome to My Blog!!!

I look forward to working with you and following the next 8 weeks on our blogs.  This is my first time using a blog, and am looking forward to working with a new internet tool.