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