Course 6135 Distance Learning

Hello! Back on the blog again for Walden's Instructional Design program. I will be posting to this site for responses to our assignments. Looking forward to a great class!

Final Reflection

The course has allowed me to delve in deeper to “how” I seem to prefer to learn, or how I can learn in the best manner. The course provided me with the knowledge and vocabulary to discuss learning processes better. Also, it was based upon the historical progression of the theories regarding learning processes which was very interesting to understand.

The class discussions on the learning theories were probably the most surprising. Reading about other class mates’ experiences in the classroom and how they believed learning should be presented. It was great to get more external perspectives, especially in areas that I am not familiar with. Such as a class room with non-adult learners, interesting to see how people present new material to various audiences.

What I have learned so far will greatly enhance the material I prepare for instruction in my training courses. Mostly because I was able to really understand that there are various ways of presenting new information that needs to most effectively touch upon several different types of learners. I gained some great ideas in regards to the actual presentation and delivery of new information. I enjoyed sharing in the discussions and hopefully bringing about a different perspectives for others as well.

Online learning is not the easiest for me, I tend to do better in a more social and immediate response environment. I like to read the others in the classroom and feel that it’s been a challenge to only know my fellow classmates through their written discussions. Would be really great if these courses began to incorporate a live session, via web cams and a scheduled class time. The personal interaction and details of the classroom I believe enhance the experience and make the material more memorable. However, seeing as there are limitations to online learning for now, I feel this class was very educational and enjoyable in its format.

Completing this course takes me one step closer to the MS in Instructional Design and Technology. I am pursuing this course to enhance the career path I have chosen as a trainer and coach. I believe this course has added to the personal and professional experiences already accumulated and allowed me to become better and building the curriculum necessary for instruction.

Tapas Style Learning - keep it bite size and memorable

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school." Albert Einstein

I enjoy variety and choices, it's great to realize toward the end of this class that learning theories allow Instructional Designers to have variety and choices when designing curriculum.

It’s kind of funny to look back at the first discussion where I was identifying myself as a behavioral learner. Not having the depth of knowledge in regards to learning theories at the time, I was choosing behavioral because it seemed to be the most physical. After 7 weeks of this course, putting myself in the behavioral learning theory bucket is just too basic. I still would say I prefer to learn through action and visually as I had stated before in week 1 discussion, however it appears those are more of a factor in my learning versus the actual theory that would describe the best way for me to learn. It’s much more “complex” as George Siemens described in the video for week 5’s learning resources. As my knowledge expanded with learning theories, it was still impossible for me to narrow down my learning style to just one learning theory over the other, really depends on the material being presented. This isn't surprising if you know me, seeing as my favorite way to eat is having a little bit of everything, "tapas" style. I'll probably build curriculum in a tapas style, using a little bit from every learning theory and infusing some unique creativity in delivering the information. Sharing new information in an easy to digest, bite size and memorable method - such as a lovely Spanish tapas meal.

At this point in my life, after many years of learning things that were required through work or higher learning institutions, I want to enjoy what I am learning…. I know, imagine that right? It took me a while to decide, but I finally picked a masters program that I knew I would enjoy learning about and would also increase my marketability in the learning and development field. I believe that falls within how adult learning occurs, with a self-directed focus, motivated by career goals and past learning experiences creating baggage. The baggage part meaning that I don’t want to sit in a classroom that bores me ever again. I’ve done enough of that now and refuse to believe learning important information equates to battling boredom.

What I’ve learned is that depending on the information I have to retain, my learning style can fall within the constructivism, social, connectivism, and adult learning styles. I’m thankful that there are so many different choices for instructional designers to build learning from, I know that if I need variety then my trainees most likely will too! I can differentiate what learning theory would be best according to the situation. For example, if it’s physically oriented, like sports or dancing, I would want my learning to be based in the social learning theory such as through imitation, watching someone model the moves and observation. If it is for developing work related skills, I’d like to learn through the constructivist theory, having several hands on experiences that allow me to bring prior knowledge in to context.

Technology plays a major role in how I learn today. I can’t believe I got through all of undergrad without the internet. I remember going to the library, finding the books I needed and combing through each one to find the excerpts that were relevant to my class. Since I wasn’t able to carry all the books home, I would sit in the library, make photo copies, and it would take so much of my time to just gather the resources and materials to complete assignments. Now that I’m back in school, my experience at Walden is completely different thanks to technology. First of all, I don’t have to leave my computer in order to find my resources. The information is all available in each week’s resource area and either already gathered together for me, or simply a quick Google search away! Second, I connect with my fellow classmates that are all in different locations which has increased the diversity in my learning environment. Because my learning is internet based, I can access my virtual classroom from anywhere that I have internet access so I can be flexible with time and location. Simply said, there are just much fewer barriers to learning today than there were before the development of technology. Being connected has never been easier, now it’s about managing time and minimizing distractions.

 

Reflection to blog post "Connectivism"

It is incredible the way technology has changed the way I learn, there’s always a way to find the answer to a question I have. Just the other night, I was sitting there with some friends and we started talking about dissecting different animals in our bio classes in high school ages ago. One of my friends mentioned that he had dissected a shark that was pregnant and that sparked the question of “how do sharks give birth?”. No one at the table knew, so I immediately pointed to the “phone”, which I now call The Oracle, to get the answer. We found out that sharks deliver their young in 3 different ways, amazing! It took less than a minute for someone to get online, read Wikipedia and then share it with the others. Would that have happened 7 years ago? Nope! And definitely not 10 years ago! That’s when the most exciting thing you could do with mobile phones was change the ring tone to a funky song with maybe some flashy lights across the screen.

My learning network is amazing right now, it is so mixed. I never know when knew information will be introduced and by whom or what, it’s almost overwhelming. With various influences in my life and varying perspectives, I wonder how my mind filters and retains the information I REALLY need. I can see how convenient it is to always be connected, always be able to get the answers, but I also miss the days when I wasn’t connected. The days where I would leave the house and not immediately check to see if I had my cell phone in my purse. To truly disconnect was a luxury that I didn’t even know I was experiencing. Yet, now that I know what life is like in the connected world, I wouldn’t want to go back to being disconnected – all the time, but vacation disconnecting is a MUST.

Technology has created connected junkies, so much so that there are rehab clinics around the world focused on helping those that are addicted to their smart phones, ipads, virtual video games and more. It has become as damaging to some people’s lives as a drug or alcohol addiction, an out of control connector can bring chaos to a family, who knew?!

Also, living in bigger cities allows for a variety of networks to form. Not just through technology, but through social networking. I don’t mean through FaceBook or LinkedIn either, I mean good old fashioned networking. The kind of networking where you go to a social gathering, shake hands and get to know people in a real and not a virtual environment. In larger cities, you have people from diverse backgrounds that can quickly contribute to your learning by simply introducing a new perspective or piece of information familiar to them, but not to you. 

Nowadays I can't just say I learn "something" new every day....nowadays I am learning MANY new things throughout the day!

Connectivism

In this diagram, I tried to capture the many influences that exist in directing what I learn about in my life. I pointed all the arrows inward because I believe I am very externally influenced at this time. I do enjoy that the external world enters my learning sphere in many different manners and I tend to keep my eyes open for what is next. In this phase of my life, with how busy things are and the many hats I wear, most of my learning occurs as outside forces entering my life, I'm just managing the flow!

Live and learn

Learning for me is about experiencing things, living through them, taking in the moment, using as many senses as possible. Some times it's the hind sight that you learn from more so than the actual moment, but I truly think the best way to learn is to live, to be aware and to be in the moment.

One of the best books I've read so far in regards to understanding the brain was written by Jonah Lehrer, "How We Decide". He has an ongoing blog and one of his recent articles discusses a very interesting concept in problem solving and how the brain is activated when faced with constraints. I have always believed that the harder I had to work for something, or the more difficulties I had to over come, seem to make me a better athlete, student, friend and companion. My friends and I believe "whatever doesn't kill ya, just makes you stronger!" In some ways, the article I discuss below by Jonah Lehrer, supports this battle cry.

"Need to Create? Get a Constraint" by Jonah Lehrer

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/11/need-to-create-get-a-constraint/

After reading the article by Jonah Lehrer, a published neuroscientist who wrote the book “How We Decide”, it clicked for me how correct his article was in regards to creative thinking and the holistic method the brain uses in the learning process. Lehrer’s article discusses the fact that the brain is more creative and better in problem solving when constraints are involved in the task at hand. Creating a need to “think outside the box” proved to activate the brains ability to look at the “big picture” and find the solution that moves passed the constraint. Lehrer also points out that within our most creative forms of art, there are constraints. For example in poetry, there are haikus, sestets and other “rules’ that need to be followed. Having to stay within the rules stimulates the mind to go beyond the clear and easy pathway. 

Lehrer states “…obstacles don’t just increase the possibilities of perception – they also expand our conceptual scope, allowing us to consider a greater range of possibilities and ideas.” This triggered several ideas in creating curriculum for adult learners to create various constraints during the learning processing for the information presented. It can be presented in a team building manner, allowing the group to problem solve and work together to understand the information being taught and to complete an assignment that challenges them with constraints. Instead of thinking about how I can make the information come across most easily, it actually appears that implementing difficulties and challenges in the learning process can actually prove to activate the entire mind. 

A phrase I always share with my nieces and nephews when they say “I just can’t” or “I don’t know how” or many of the other mental road blocks children face when things don’t come easily, is to say to them, “how can I?” and I make them say it again loudly… “HOW CAN I?”. Instantly, you can see a change in their perception to the problem. Their heads tilt a little to the side, their eyes go up towards the sky and they start to create ideas in their mind around “HOW CAN I!” These perceived constraints, whether it’s a child or an adult, can actually be seen as a catalyst for learning and creating, or a catapult towards the  ultimate goal…the article Lehrer wrote illustrates this to be true and that there’s research to support it!

How to Get the Most Out of Studying: Part 2 of 5, "What Students Should Know About How People Learn”

YOUTUBE : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O7y7XEC66M

This is a very interesting video produced by Samford University and presented by Dr. Stephen Chu which discusses the most important factor in regards to how people learn. Dr. Chu discusses the need for “deeper” learning in the ability to recall the information being presented.  He states that the  most important factor in learning is: WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT WHILE LEARNING

In summarizing a research study regarding learning, Dr. Chu states, “People who use deep processing learn the material, whether they intended to or not. On the other hand, if people used shallow strategies, even if they wanted to learn, they did not learn.”

Dr Chu states, “…people who process words at a deep level, even if they weren’t trying to learn, remember things just as well as the control group who is just doing their best to learn”. Therefore proving that the depth of processing matters, and the intention to learn does not. Different levels of processing involve thinking of material meaningfully and interpreting information and relating it to your prior knowledge or experience, or creating a mental image of the information. The importance of “orienting tasks” causes you to think in deep or shallow ways regardless of your intention.

  

Something I found very interesting in the video is when Dr. Chu states “…there’s no good research evidence that supports the validity of learning styles, so forget about them”. I agree, it is way too limiting to think that you can just identify your own, or your students’ learning style and think you have it all figured out from there. 

Also helpful from this video were the lists below:

What can hinder learning:

• Motivation to Learn
• Amount of time studied without shallow processing
• Memorization of isolated facts
• Learning styles
• Multi-tasking

Factors that contribute to academic success:

• Minimizing distractions, maximizing focus
• Developing accurate metacognition
• Deep, appropriate processing of critical concepts
• Practicing retrieval and application

Blogs for Training

My interest in pursuing my MS in Instructional Design is to apply my knowledge to the field of performance improvement in the learning and development departments for all size businesses. I'd like to develop and deliver curriculum both for the online student and the in person instruction. Below are some blogs I found that align with my focus and interests.


PinPoint Performance Solutions
Blog: http://www.pinpointperformance.net/blog/
Focused on performance improvement in the work place. This blog shares various techniques they use with their clients to build teams, improve overall organizational performance that meets the needs and expectations of the intended audience. Very fresh and new ideas!


Articulate Blog
Blog: http://www.articulate.com/blog/
Centered around eLearning, presentation design and technology. Very interesting to keep up with the latest trends Articulate customers are using to create interesting and effective eLearning presentations directed at instructional designers. Articulate is the program most often used by my employer and it will be very helpful for me to get tips and tricks to using this program.



Social Learning Blog - Dashe & Thomson
Blog: http://www.dashe.com/blog/
Dashe & Thomson’s Social Learning Blog shares information and thought leadership on enterprise learning and organizational effectiveness. They explore subjects ranging from eLearning, mobile learning and social learning to technical writing, communication and change management. I found their blogs to be very relevant to the current learning environment and enjoyable to learn from.