Reflections - EDUC-6115-3 Learning Theories and Instruction

Reflections - EDUC-6115-3 Learning Theories and Instruction
Instructor: Anthony Artino

Taking this course and through our various readings, assignments and discussion forums, I have come to realize that we all approach teaching and learning very differently. I teach ICT and if I walked into another ICT classroom at my school, the instructor would have a different approach to teaching and learning. Understanding learning theories is an essential component in the comprehension of how children learn and cognitively develop. By understanding this, as a teacher, I can create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

At the beginning of Module 1, I firmly believe that I was using or approaching a constructivist paradigm for my classroom. The model I envisioned myself using when integrating technology into the classroom curriculum was constructivist learning. I agree with the view that every individual student is different, being some have more experience than others with technology. With different experiences in technology, students will have different experiences learning, especially in the area of technology. However, I now truly understand that there are other factors involved that may not allow the constructivist paradigm to be seen consistently within my classroom. When revisiting my initial reflection on how learning happens, I found the change of my view on learning.

As we begin our readings and discussions on cognitive views of learning I began to realize that it would serve me better to take an eclectic approach to applying learning theories to designing and delivering my instruction. As I completed the Learning Theory Matrix, I noticed that there were different learning principles that appear in a wide variety of theoretical perspectives, including cognitive psychology, behaviorism, and social learning theory.

Bearing this in mind, it is very unlikely that I can say that I am a behaviorist and nothing else, or a constructivist and nothing else. Even if I said this now, it is highly likely that I will find evidence to the contrary. Some learning goals are better met by an information processing approach while others might be better met from a situated cognition approach. The ideal is to understand the variety of theories offered and use each as needed to create the most efficient and effective learning possible given the learners. I greatly appreciate numerous learning theories that are taken into account in e-learning. However, my particular concern is of behaviourist and cognitivist theories especially if they are widely used in the online learning environments.

As an ICT teacher, I must be aware of connectivism and its implications of how I learn as well as how I get my students to learn. The fact is that they are not getting the majority of their knowledge strictly from "static" sources like books by themselves or by my lectures, but rather from making value based connections from many other sources of information. It is critical that as an ICT educator, that I stay current and try my best to keep up with our students, so I can stay somewhat connected with their interests and lives.

Technology plays an integral role in my learning. It is actually hard to imagine a world without the various technologies we have available to us today, and yet my earlier learning occurred in just that type of world. Connectivism helped me to recognize that students are learning in ways that did not even exist a decade ago, and we absolutely need to keep up with them. If not, I may be left behind wondering how to reach this generation and those to come. I particularly enjoyed The Horizon Report (2009), and the discussion of technologies projected to gain popularity over the next few years. The technology that grasp me the most is Mobile Internet Technology which I plan to take advantage of since my students can’t seem to get to put down their cell phones.

I had generally understood that people have different learning styles. For me to learn best, I would want the instructor to make an effort to address each multiple learning styles and to incorporate active learning into their courses. I learn more and retain longer if I am not being taught traditional lecture courses – the online environment works best for me. Technology has opened up a world of information all available at my finger tips, making the learning possibilities not only endless, but easier to acquire.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Information Processing and the Brain [Motion Picture]. Dr. Jeanne Ormrod. Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Learning Styles and Strategies [Motion Picture]. Dr. Jeanne Ormrod.

Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning. Retrieved from http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm