My Reflection

          In this course, I have had the pleasure of learning a great deal of information that I can use in the future. I have learned so much on how I learn as an adult learner through online classroom and as an educator. I would like to share some of the things I found to be surprising or striking as I enhance my knowledge about how people learn. I will like to share how this course has deepened my understanding of my personal learning process. I would also share details on how I learn to regard the connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology, and motivation. The last section will address how my learning in this course will help me as I further my career in the field of instructional design.
           When I began to learn how people understand and take in newly learned information, one of the first things I learn is all learning is brain based. Learning requires attention which is mediated by specific parts of the brain (Gredler, Ormrod, Schunk, (2008)). I understand how critical it is to use a combination of all the learning theories together in order to support students’ learning experience. Students learn through using learning strategies which eventually learner will become metacognitve aware and will be able monitor, direct, and regulate actions towards goals (Gredler, Ormrod, Schunk, (2008)). Learners will have awareness about what information is needed to be learned, how and when it needs to be learned (Gredler, Ormrod, Schunk, p.130). Overall, learners learn best when they can relate newly learn information to something in their prior knowledge in a meaningful way and apply it to their lives in the future.
           As an adult learner, I am a lifelong learner. I have always thought I learn best through experiential learning. I understood and retain information better when I am able to construct new knowledge by processing the information using personal experiences. However, as I continue read and learn more about the learning process, I begin to learn more about myself. Adult learners are individuals that are capable of using self directed learning to direct their own learning and being learner centered (Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003)). Since I have started by online learning, I have become more self-directed and motivated to make sure I gain all the knowledge I can. I now understand how I learn a vast deal through my personal learning network.
        I know it is very valuable to be able to distinguish between learning theories, and learning styles within your classroom or personal learning experience. In doing this, I will be prepare to know which strategies I need to in force to make the learners motivated to want to learn. Technology is one way to get learners engage in the instructions. I learned through reading the Horizon Report, about some of the emerging technology that will have a powerful influence on how well students can learn through this additional support in the classrooms. The ability to have a third party application install on mobiles are great devices to use within classrooms, social and entertainment settings (Johnson, L., Levine, A., & Smith, R. (2009)). Furthermore, I have learned that students learn more effectively when they are intrinsically motivated to learn and achieve. Intrinsically motivated learners are eager to learn, they possess independence and ambition to gain meaningful learning.
       As an instructional designer, I must keep in mind that we do not all learn the same way. As I design plans or strategies, I need to remember to use visual images along with text to allow learners a better change to remember what they have learned. When educators facilitate effective cognitive processing by providing advance organizers, visual aids and mnemonics, they give learners a better chance to be successful in learning (Gredler, Ormrod, Schunk, (2008)). The greatest impact on my instructional design practice is comprehension monitoring. This is a highly effective strategy that a learner can use to check how well they understand the text he or she is reading.
       In closing, I have learned a lot of valuable information in this course about myself as a learner and educator. I know the information I have learned will help me to reach more learners. I can wait to share my knowledge with others.

Fitting The Pieces Together

After I reviewed my response from my week 1 discussion on how I thought I learned best, I am now exploring these following three questions as I reflect on my learning experience throughout this course.

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

Since I have gone through this learning experience, my view of how I learn has changed a great deal. Before I thought I learn by auditory, visual, hand on learning only. I still believe I use this skills quiet often. However, I know these aren’t the only strategies I use to have a deeper understanding. I am now more aware of the variety of resources I can use to build on my prior knowledge to make a meaningful connection. Through a recent class assignment, I discovered how I rely so heavily on my learning network to support my level of understanding of the skill or concepts that are being taught.  As an adult learner, I know it is very important to be motivated and to be a self directed learner. Learner must understand the importance of being engage in the learning process in order to get anything out of it.

 •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?

Although I am an adult learner and educator, I now know a learner’s learning style can fluctuate due to the task the learner will be completing. Dr. Ormrod stated, as instructional designers, we should not use learning styles, but we should use learning strategies. Learning strategies are effective techniques a learner can use to be more in control of their understanding of new information about a concept or skill. The learner could use elaboration, mnemonics and my favorite I use more of is comprehension monitoring. As you are reading required course material or for entertainment, learning can ask themselves questions to see how well they are understanding the text and not just reading words on the page or screen.

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

Technology plays major role in my learning experience. I use my computer or my mobile device to research information using different search engines and my school online library all the time. I use YouTube to watch instructional videos on various topics I am studying. When I use visual images and combined it with audio and/or textual components, I tend to understand things much better. I am also discovering how blogs and wikis can effectively support my learning experience.

Connectivism Reflection of My Learning Network

This week, we have been learning about Connectivism and Adult Learning. Connectivism is the ability to connect with the world through different networks with the use of technology. I created this mind map to explore the way I learn through my networks.

As I reflect on my network for learning, I have noticed it has expanded since I have begun my online learning experience and career. One of the major changes is the use of blogs that I have created for this course and others blogs that I use for insightful information.  My professional learning connection has expanded the most. I have connected with other educators all around the world through PD360. We are capable of sharing helpful tips and information. I can join in on forums on topics and join communities with individuals that have the same interest as I do.

Educational and instructional videos are a very valuable digital tool I use to assist in my learning the most.  Video goes along with my learning style of being a visual and auditory learning. They give me the ability to see and hear experts or novices explain and give visual examples on the newly information and how it is applied to the world. This allows me the ability to make a meaningful connection to retain information better and apply it within my learning.

Whenever I am reading course material or for professional learning and I have a question, I always refer to my Google search engine and YouTube to give me a quick insight about the given topic. Having the capability to search any given topic using the Internet is a very effective tool to help facilitate my learning.

I believe connectivism supports my personal learning network. I use variety of sources to gain knowledge and understanding. My learning network continues to grow and expand the depth of knowledge I have. Today, we have the opportunity to explore and learn beyond my personal environment. I am able to stay connected with teachers from all around, classmates, colleagues, and my family. Furthermore, it is important to communicate with people that have similarities or interest as you do. When this taken place, you are able to discuss with one another personal viewpoints on any given topic. This will allow everyone involve to learn from each other by building on one’s prior knowledge with newly learned information. In this digital time, there are more resources readily available to assist in learning.

Connectivitsm