In my present class, Learning Theories and Instruction, I am studying the different learning theories that help people to transfer information from a teaching source to our brains, and retain the new information as knowledge.
During my first class, I was asked "how do you learn best?" My answer then in September was that I learned best from examples and practice. At that time I stated that I was a mixture of a cognitivist and a constructivist. Presently, I still believe that I am a mixture of a cognitivist and a constructivist.
Now in October, the eight week class is nearing an end we have almost completed the course. Our instructor asked us to reflect upon our learning style then and compare it to our learning style now, since we have studied the various philosophers of learning and their learning theories.
These are the questions that the class was asked to consider:
1. Since we have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has our view on how we learn changed?
2. What have we learned about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain our own personal learning preferences?
3. What role does technology play in our learning?
My answer to question number one: I have not changed my answer to how I learn, but now I understand more of the theory that applies to the way that I learn. People who learn through cognitivism learn through problem solving. I do enjoy a challenge most of the time. However if the learning materials are too easy, I will get bored with it quickly. On the other hand, if the new material is out of my proximal zone, then I will get bored with the research it takes to figure out what I should be learning. People who learn through constructivism, learn through social interaction. These people learn from models, or examples, such as I. When I don't have some form of social interaction or an example to go by, I struggle to figure out what is expected of me. This unsureity usually produces feelings of confusion.
My answer to question number two: I found Gardner's multiple intelligence theory to be very interesting, and one that I can easily apply to myself. It is normal for everyone to have some under developed intelligence in some of his eight, possibly nine intelligence areas. Armstrong (2000) The reasons that I may have under developed intelligences, as a constructivist or cognitivist learner could be that I did not have an opportunity to learn in these categories. Since I learn through problem solving and social interaction, I may not have had the chance to network in a culture or be in a situation that would allow me to apply and develop certain intelligences. However, the article by Armstrong (2000) has prompted me to develop the intelligences that I am not yet intelligent in. I now believe that it is necessary for an ID or any teacher to survey himself, and strive to learn whatever he can so that he can be a well rounded instructor.
My answer to question number three: Technology plays a huge role in learning. Technology plays a huge role in our lives. I find that I use some form of technology on a daily basis. According to the Horizon Report 2009, during the next five years, there will be amazing technology integration introduced that will simplify learning for learners of all ages. The use of technology to search for information that aids in the learning process will play a major part in retrieving information. Although teachers, facilitators and instructional designers will still be needed, they will find that they will use the internet much more for instruction delivery. I look forward to this new wave of upcoming technology.
Reference:
Armstrong, T. (2000). Multiple intelligences in the classroom (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
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