Now that I have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, I would not say that point of view has changed but I would however say that I understand my learning style better. I understand how my learning style relates to how people learn. I understand what it means to learn better by doing something than simple reading or memorization. I know understand why I listen to the media before completing my readings. Based on having a better understanding I think that I will be able to become a better learner because I have began to apply some of the strategies given in order to make my learning more efficient. One of the things that I have made a point to always do going forward is to do a self check of my understanding of the information.
I think that I best relate to connectivism, adult learning and social learning. These are the theories that I feel best relate to me but I do think that there is a part of every theory that fits my learning. I have a network that I use in order to obtain and check my understanding of information. I also want to play and active role in the design of my education. I also have a great need for it to fit into my lifestyle instead of me conforming to it. All of these are things that I previously knew about myself but did not fully understand why it was the way it is. Learning about the different learning styles and theories has provided me with a much greater insight into the way I learn.
I think that technology plays a very important role in my learning. Everything that has to do with my learning is through the use of technology. As an online student the computer and the internet are a main piece of how I am able to learn. I use the computer and word processing software in order to write papers and record information. I also search for a lot of information using the internet. Most of the time when I want to know thing I head straight for Google and type in the question. I think I rely heavily on technology as a part of my learning.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Connectivism Reflection
My network has immensely changed the way in which I learn by providing me so many outlets and options by which to obtain information. As my network builds I feel as though I am able to seek and gain knowledge much more easily as it is readily available to me. I used to find it very difficult to research information. For example I would have to physically drive to a library look through book after book seeking the right set of information. Now with the internet and the Walden University online library I can do a simple search while sitting at home at my computer and find the information I am looking for. I think has promoted my desire to learn. Because I can now access what I need easier it gives me the desire to seek after more.
The digital tools I use are mainly the computer and the internet. There are many different websites that I frequent in search of information. I often use google when I have questions. Usually someone out there has had a similar question and I can find the information online. Another resource I have started using is the Walden University online library. Lastly, I ask people that I know questions when I have them. There are a lot of people that I have met over the years that are a good source of information in different situations because of their experience. I also tend to ask a lot of questions in general. I am usually the one asking questions when no one else is. I think am just naturally curious.
I think that my personal learning network does support the central tenets of connectivism. I often relate the many different things in my life that seem unrelated to see their relevance just as the chaos theory of connectivism. I also recognize the complexity of my learning. There are many different factors that can come into play at any given time which would change things for me. I think that I find connectivism to be very relevant to my learning style.
The digital tools I use are mainly the computer and the internet. There are many different websites that I frequent in search of information. I often use google when I have questions. Usually someone out there has had a similar question and I can find the information online. Another resource I have started using is the Walden University online library. Lastly, I ask people that I know questions when I have them. There are a lot of people that I have met over the years that are a good source of information in different situations because of their experience. I also tend to ask a lot of questions in general. I am usually the one asking questions when no one else is. I think am just naturally curious.
I think that my personal learning network does support the central tenets of connectivism. I often relate the many different things in my life that seem unrelated to see their relevance just as the chaos theory of connectivism. I also recognize the complexity of my learning. There are many different factors that can come into play at any given time which would change things for me. I think that I find connectivism to be very relevant to my learning style.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Neuroscience and Information Processing Resources
In this week's blog entry I sought out to find resources relating to brain processing and instructional design. Below I have cited the two resources which I selected.
The first one, Make Your Video Tell a Story, explains how to use stories to relay information when using video presentations. This resource explains that by using stories to present information it helps the brain to process it much more naturally and efficiently than logically structured information. It gives a list of five basic elements that you should include to tell a story. I plan to use video in my instructional design and I feel that this is very useful information because it will help me to present the information in my video in the most efficient manner. In class this week we learned that in order to be effective in our instructional design we need to present information that can be easily processed, retained and recalled by the brain.
The second resource, Emotional learning, talks about what are known as whole-brain strategies. Whole-brain strategies are those that appeal to both the left and right brain hemispheres of the brain. This resource also talks about the importance of stories along with drama. This resource explains how if you are able to appeal to both sides of the brain it will create better memories. If you can create better memories when presenting the information in your instructional design it will be much easier for you audience to retain and recall the information at a later date and time. This resource will be useful in better understanding the brain and the best way to present information for the brain to process it.
Sneed, Laurel C.. (1992, September). Make Your Video Tell a Story. Training, 29(9), 58. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 827569).
Madden, D.. (2008, April). Emotional learning. E.learning Age,20-21. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1473052201).
The first one, Make Your Video Tell a Story, explains how to use stories to relay information when using video presentations. This resource explains that by using stories to present information it helps the brain to process it much more naturally and efficiently than logically structured information. It gives a list of five basic elements that you should include to tell a story. I plan to use video in my instructional design and I feel that this is very useful information because it will help me to present the information in my video in the most efficient manner. In class this week we learned that in order to be effective in our instructional design we need to present information that can be easily processed, retained and recalled by the brain.
The second resource, Emotional learning, talks about what are known as whole-brain strategies. Whole-brain strategies are those that appeal to both the left and right brain hemispheres of the brain. This resource also talks about the importance of stories along with drama. This resource explains how if you are able to appeal to both sides of the brain it will create better memories. If you can create better memories when presenting the information in your instructional design it will be much easier for you audience to retain and recall the information at a later date and time. This resource will be useful in better understanding the brain and the best way to present information for the brain to process it.
Sneed, Laurel C.. (1992, September). Make Your Video Tell a Story. Training, 29(9), 58. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 827569).
Madden, D.. (2008, April). Emotional learning. E.learning Age,20-21. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1473052201).
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Instructional Design Resources
I found these three resources for Instructional Design Information that I will be using. Hopefully you will find the information useful also.
The first one is Making Change - Ideas for lively Elearning by Cathy Moore. In this blog Cathy has posts designed to give information on creating and designing Elearning. She provides information on different ways to make your Elearning projects interesting and informative. She focuses how to design based on the needs of the learners and also gives information on different techniques. She also includes case scenarios. I find this blog to be very informational because Elearning is something I am considering getting into and I would like to learn more about how it works. You are able to browse the blog by categories.
The next one is Learning in Bits by Allison Moreland. This is a blog which was designed by an experienced Instructional Designer who started the blog when she went back to school to pursue her Masters in Instructional Design just as we are. I like this one because I feel like as a student herself she will have information that I may be able to relate to and possibly contribute to. By being able to interact and contribute to this blog I will learn new things. It also has a link to another blog on Adobe Captivate which is a part of the software we will be using in our degree program here at Walden University. Since I am not familiar with the software I think that this will also be very helpful to me.
Lastly, I chose Train! Facilitate! Present!, which is a blog newsletter by Guila Muir. Guila is a trainer for trainers. Her job is to teach trainers how to become better. This blog is designed to help Instructional Design experts be better at presenting, training and facilitating. I chose this blog because I want to make sure that I not only learn how to do Instructional Design during this degree but I also want to be good at presenting it. I have took part in many training programs that while they were informative they were also very boring. I want to be exciting and informational. I want to learn strategies that will make me a great Instructional Designer not only because of the information I present but also because of how I presented it. There are different topics discussed in each newsletter with different relevance to a different way to become better.
The first one is Making Change - Ideas for lively Elearning by Cathy Moore. In this blog Cathy has posts designed to give information on creating and designing Elearning. She provides information on different ways to make your Elearning projects interesting and informative. She focuses how to design based on the needs of the learners and also gives information on different techniques. She also includes case scenarios. I find this blog to be very informational because Elearning is something I am considering getting into and I would like to learn more about how it works. You are able to browse the blog by categories.
The next one is Learning in Bits by Allison Moreland. This is a blog which was designed by an experienced Instructional Designer who started the blog when she went back to school to pursue her Masters in Instructional Design just as we are. I like this one because I feel like as a student herself she will have information that I may be able to relate to and possibly contribute to. By being able to interact and contribute to this blog I will learn new things. It also has a link to another blog on Adobe Captivate which is a part of the software we will be using in our degree program here at Walden University. Since I am not familiar with the software I think that this will also be very helpful to me.
Lastly, I chose Train! Facilitate! Present!, which is a blog newsletter by Guila Muir. Guila is a trainer for trainers. Her job is to teach trainers how to become better. This blog is designed to help Instructional Design experts be better at presenting, training and facilitating. I chose this blog because I want to make sure that I not only learn how to do Instructional Design during this degree but I also want to be good at presenting it. I have took part in many training programs that while they were informative they were also very boring. I want to be exciting and informational. I want to learn strategies that will make me a great Instructional Designer not only because of the information I present but also because of how I presented it. There are different topics discussed in each newsletter with different relevance to a different way to become better.
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