Reflection Paper

Looking back on the past eight weeks of this course I see many important concepts and experiences that will likely influence the significant changes occurring in my life. It doesn’t seem like so long ago that I made the commitment to pursue a certificate in Instructional Design, but I find myself already a quarter of the way there. It marks my first online learning experience and my initiation into a different world of instruction and learning than the one I have been a part of for the past 20 plus years.

One of the most surprising revelations to come from this class for me was how much more relevant this material is to me now as opposed to 25 years ago when I was first introduced to learning theory.  As an adult with years of teaching experience my perspective has altered significantly. I am able to draw many more connections and assimilate this new learning into many more areas of my life. Previously I viewed these theories as lofty concepts and disconnected ideas about how people process information and behave. Now I see these theories as foundational and practical resources for establishing solid and productive instruction for learning. Another surprise was in the degree of interaction that occurs between classmates. I was under an incorrect assumption that I would be navigating my way through this course on my own with very little meaningful contact with classmates. I was wrong, and this interactive element of the course has been fruitful for me especially since I am usually quite reluctant to want to share openly in group settings. Having access to others’ perceptions and applications has been both insightful and encouraging to me.

These enlightenments have helped to open the door on my own personal learning process. They have shown me the importance of making connections to prior learning and the role of experience in assimilating new information with prior knowledge to create new mental constructs. It has also enhanced my appreciation for the vital role that others play in enhancing our learning. Social interaction and discussion have helped me to see content from varying perspectives and has exposed me to new and creative ways to look at information.

My current views regarding the connections between learning theory, styles, technology, and motivation have been clarified throughout this course. I now recognize that “no single theory can adequately account for all learning… each theory describes particular features of learning or cognitive development and focuses on identifying the factors that will lead to identified outcomes.” (Ormrod, Schunk, & Gredler, 2009, pg. 6) I now believe I have a proper appreciation for the foundational role that these theories play with regards to explaining how we learn. Gardner’s concept of learning styles is helpful in describing the various preferences that people have for how they learn but it is important to remember that preference does not mean that individuals can’t learn using other formats. It is also important to note the fact that some content is best delivered using a specific method regardless of the learners preferred style.

Technology has changed the face of education in recent years. It now plays a vital role in the delivery, dissemination, and application of information. I currently find myself in agreement with those who would say that the technology itself does not manufacture learning, but is a potentially very useful tool for enhancing the way that people learn in the 21^st century. The other (and maybe most important) factor that influences learning is motivation. It can originate from either internal or external sources but is most influential on one’s learning when it comes from within the learner. Adults tend to be more intrinsically motivated to learn than younger students but can still experience frustration that interferes with their motivation to learn. This course has helped me to place a healthy emphasis on the role of motivation as well as providing strategies to enhance and foster its realization in the learner. All these elements of learning are interrelated and serve to explain and clarify a portion of this complex process called learning. Understanding how they relate to one another and the importance each one plays will help me to design effective instruction in the future.

I believe that the content from this course will serve as a firm foundation for the remainder of my coursework. Since the ultimate goal for an instructional designer is to help an individual or group to learn, retain, and apply information; this course lays the groundwork on which I can build the practical and technical skills to accomplish this goal. It will also serve to enhance my own personal learning process since I now understand how I learn best. The concepts and strategies that I have learned from this course will serve me well as I pursue a future in Instructional Design.

References:

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson

Fitting the Pieces Together

The past seven weeks I’ve been learning about various learning theories, styles and strategies. As I look back on my experience and contemplate the relevance and meaning for me professionally, I am asked to consider my personal learning preferences and discuss the role of technology in learning. As I began this journey I was unorganized in my understanding of learning theory and the relevance that each one provides. As I’ve grown in knowledge and understanding these past weeks I have come to believe that each of the learning theories and styles have merit in the proper context. In the beginning, I was under the impression that I would find the one theory that explains it all and I would become a follower of a specific field of thought. Quite the contrary, I have become a fan of all of the theories and styles. In looking at my own personal learning I can see that I have moments when all of the learning theories and styles are prominent. I can very easily relate to a behavioristic approach when I develop a new skill or ability as I have recently in a construction job. I look to the cognitive model as I read and study new information and try to make connections with my long-term memory. The connectivism theory has been highlighted the past couple of months through the discussion posts and conversations with classmates regarding the learning resources. The constructivist approach speaks to me in this class as I consider the context of my learning and the manner in which I will apply the content to my present environment. As an Instructional Designer I believe that knowledge of the various learning theories, styles and strategies will better allow me to design curriculum to meet the needs of learners by considering the content of each lesson and determining the most advantageous delivery method available. The role of technology is primarily as a tool to assist in the delivery, manipulation, or interaction with the content. I intend to take advantage of the various technological tools to help learners get the most out of what they are learning and to enhance the learning theory best suited for a given lesson. The technology can be used in a variety of ways to support and enhance the learning theory, style or strategy being implemented for a given lesson. Placing greater expectation on the technology itself to deliver learning will eventually lead to frustration and failure. So whatever the task set before me, I am now more capable of matching an effective learning theory, style or strategy to the content being delivered. I hope to become more proficient at the utilization of current technologies to best support the learner and aid them to achieve their learning goals.