As I reflect on how my view of learning has change I feel I have a better understanding of how I learn. Prior to taking this class I thought I only possessed one type of learning style or intelligence. As an undergraduate student we learned there were different learning modalities and it was important to incorporate them in the classroom for the students. There are three basic ways we process information: Visually, auditorally, and kinesthetic (hands on). It was through this process that I realized that I use all of the modalities to learn but visual is the most effective style of learning for me. I still support this statement and believe it to be true. My view on how I learn has changed to a certain degree. According Felder et al. (2002), “people have different learning styles that are reflected in different academic strengths, weaknesses, skills, and interests. Understanding learning style differences is thus an important step in designing balanced instruction that is effective for all students” (p. 3). There are several models of learning styles that are currently being used to assess how students learn. Using these assessments will facilitate in understanding how learning styles fluctuate within a specific context.” This statement has radically changed they way I learn, and how I will design material. I realized that individuals can have different learning styles depending upon the content that they are learning.

The information that I have learned over the past couple of weeks about learning styles and theories has heightened my awareness of the various learning styles and how they could be detrimental if not used properly. There could be drawbacks to categorizing students in a particular learning style. “However, one person can have several learning styles relative to a specific course or subject. On the other hand, when the objectives change, the learning style may also change.” Gilbert, J., & Swanier, C. (2008). If an instructor or designer is not aware of this a learner might not have the opportunity to learn the material. I will always consider this statement on my quest to providing learners with the highest quality of instruction. In designing material I think it is pivotal that we find balance when designing material. It is important to appeal to the various learning styles but keeping in mind that they can change depending on the content. I really hate to sound so redundant because these were points I mentioned in my post last week. I mentioned them this week due to their relevance to the questions.
Technology plays a huge role in my learning. I remember as a child owning a set of encyclopedias. I thought this was the best invention because the information was condensed in all of those huge books. Today the computer is our encyclopedia. The computer serves as my source to finding all of my information. For me the computer has replaced newspapers, the television, and the library. I use the computer to create documents, banking, and obtain an education.
So you see technology plays a major role in my learning.

Reference:
Gardner, H. (2003, April 21). Multiple intelligences after 20 years. Paper presented to the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL. Retrieved from http://www.pz.harvard.edu/PIs/HG_MI_after_20_years.pdf

Gilbert, J., & Swanier, C. (2008). Learning styles: How do they fluctuate? Institute for Learning Styles Journal [Vol. l]. Retrieved from http://www.auburn.edu/~witteje/ilsrj/Journal%20Volumes/Fall%202008%20Volume%201%20PDFs/Learning%20Styles%20How%20do%20They%20Fluctuate.pdf

Reflecting on Connectivism

My network connections have changed drastically over the past two years. Previously I wasn’t that interested in social networking for pleasure or business. My thought process was I do not have time; I am too busy for social networking. I began to notice my husband spending a lot of time on social network sites. I thought it was for pleasure and I began to get upset. He explained how social networking isn’t just for fun but he actually got a couple of business deals from the sites. I became intrigued and began to start researching and joining social networks myself. I realized that social networking wasn’t just for fun but also for getting information. Karen Stephenson states: “Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people. This has become the staple of social networking.

Since I have become more connected with technology, I have begun to explore my options. I use the internet for creations, research and communications. I use iTunes to download podcast, and blogs for information on particular subjects. I listen to talk radio in the car to learn the latest news as well as watch television for news. The internet is the best digital tool for me at this time and as I continue to immerse myself in the world of technology I see myself expanding in the area.

I gather knowledge from several sources when I have questions. I have learned that the internet has a plethora of information waiting to be accessed. Now that I have familiarized myself with technology I typically use the internet to find answers. I use several search engines such as Google or yahoo. I use these two because I am most familiar with them. There have been times when the answer isn’t easily accessible based upon my question and I will have to readjust my wording to find the correct answer. Now that I have become more familiar with the internet my father calls at least once a week to have me Google a question for him. He doesn’t have internet yet but he is interested in getting it in the near future.

My personal learning network supports central connectivism. Since I have taking an interest in technology the majority of my learning has been through connectivism. My online classes at Walden University, the internet for research, eBooks, online journals, videos, and blogs all are reflective of connectivism. I think George Siemens said it best when he stated “Connectivism focuses on the inclusion of technology as part of our distribution of cognition and knowledge.”

Resources

p2pfoundation.net/Connectivist Learning Theory - Siemens

Connectivism

Resources for Understanding How the Brain Processes Information

Wow! Lots of research and readings to find resources to help understand how the brain process information. I have found two websites that could provide more insight on how we learn.

The first site I chose was www.web-us.com/brain/LRBrain.html. This site discusses how the left and right brain functions. I found this information interesting because it was helpful in understanding how people learn based upon the side of the brain they use most often. I was always told if you wrote with your right hand then you used the left side of your brain. If you wrote with your left hand you used the right side and you were more creative. This site gives a different perspective on the right and left side of the brain. Cohorts and instructor please read and tell me what you think based upon what they state and what we have learned so far in our theory class.

The second site I chose was www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090114110927.htm. I chose this site because it is another source for research news to help us understand how the brain processes information. Both of these sites will help us as Instructional Designers. We all know it is important that when we are designing material for others to learn, that our objective is to keep in mind the various learning styles. I believe that understanding how the brain works is critical to becoming effective and efficient in designing instructional material.

Researching Instructional Design Blogs

After spending countless hours on the web browsing through blogs I was able to narrow my search to three blogs. The three blogs I chose have a plethora of information to assist in the area of Instructional Design.

The first blog I chose was IDD blog . The primary focus of this blog is to provide information on enhancing instruction through the use of technology. I found this blog easy to follow and the layout was simple. This blog offers videos content as a resource. As an online graduate student we are constantly reading and surfing the web, I found the videos a welcoming change to give the old eyes a break. :-)! The contributors to the blogs are individuals working in the field of instructional design and can offer different perspectives on ways to be effective. The site is constantly engaging in meaningful subject topics as well as providing interesting perspectives. The blog offers a wide variety of information that can contribute to our learning community.

The second blog I chose was K-State's idos blogs. This site addresses e-learning, pedagogical theory, educational research, and high tech expertise in building learning through various means. The layout of this site is also easy to follow and the information on the site is tagged by a various range of categories. The site offers a variety of resources conducted by experts in the field of ID, education and round table seminars. I found the idea of round table seminars very interesting and well organized. There are future dates scheduled for round table seminars which will allow you to choose the seminars of interest. This is another avenue of reaching the masses in the current field of interest. The site allows you to collaborate with professionals and seek updated information in the subject matter. This is a site that I will be using frequently to receive information as well as contribute information.

The last blog I chose was discovering instructional design part1. This blog site's approach is slightly different in that his focus is understanding how people learn based upon different theories. I chose this blog because it is directly related with our current class. His emphasis is on how the individuals learn. This site is another resource to help us understand that we are not designing materials for ourselves but for others. In designing material it is important that we recognize the various learning styles. According to Michael Hanley:

"Instructional Design (ID) is the practice of maximizing the effectiveness, efficiency and accessibility of instruction and other learning experiences. The ID process can be said to have a number of steps:

1. determine the current state and needs of the learner
2. define the end goal of instruction
3. develop a learning intervention to assist in the acquisition of new skills, knowledge or expertise."

Michael believes in providing a foundation for instructional designing based upon theoretical basis for learning. He mentions the learning theories behaviorism. cognitivism, and constructivism. I think this blog will help us tremendously with our current class as another resource for understanding different theories of learning.

I really hope these blogs will assist us in our understanding of ID. The technology field is constantly evolving and I hope these blogs will keep us abreast of the changes.

Welcome!

Hello all I am so excited about blogging. This is my first time and I already have so much to say and share. I am currently a graduate student at Walden University obtaining a M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology and creating a blog is our latest project. Please feel free to contribute in any way to help enhance our learning in the field of Instructional Design and Technology.