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