Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed?
When we first started this class we were asked about our views on our own learning, my view on my own personal learning has really not changed. I’m an art major and I know that I learn better as a visual and kinesthetic learner. I achieve more when I am actively learning and participating in my learning environment. I know that I do not recall information if it is only presented to me in lecture form. I have problems being lectured too and focusing on what I’m being told. I have a much better chance of remembering what I have learned when I can visually apply it to memory and physically use what I am learning.
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?
The past few weeks have truly opened my eyes to the many forms of learning that is out there. I knew before I began this course, that people learn differently. These last few weeks have truly shown me the many strategies and theories behind learning. As an Instructional Designer I have learned that our instruction and curriculums must include a variety of techniques in order to have a successful learning outcome. Addressing the needs of only one learning style totally defeats the reason we are here and that is to facilitate learning and to make learning fun and purposeful.
What role does technology play in your learning (i.e., as a way to search for information, to record information, to create, etc.)?
The many applications and options that are available to us as teachers and designers is mind blowing. I have truly learned a tremendous amount about this topic in the last few weeks’ I was totally amazed at the many sources of information and the many links/blogs that are out there. I am very excited to find the many options and sites that are available for connecting with other instructors and sharing information. Growing as an instructor is made easier when you can share and exchange information over the internet with others that live miles away and may structure their classes very differently to how you may do it. Technology has evolved greatly in making this exchange possible. The invention of the many website, such as facebook, blogs, wikis and webinars adds indefinitely to all the possibilities.
We also have all the new links and apps that are being created for the sole purpose of expanding our reach in educating our students. Apple has created the IPad which in itself is having a huge impact on how we are teaching our students. The ability to be creative and the opportunity to evolve our classrooms into an interactive fully involved environment is astounding.
Not only is technology advancing how we teach it is also opening doors on were we get our information and how much information we can find. The use of the internet has taken us away for the old encyclopedia and we now have access to hundreds of thousands of site where we can search for information. Our reach goes beyond the library. We can go to Europe and visit the Chelsea in Great Britain or the Musee Rodin in France. The opportunity to reach these countries from the comfort of our homes and learn from our research has advanced our learning and training capacity tremendously. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.
