Understanding My Techno Learning Environment

            Understanding how people learn is a complex issue.  There are so many strategies to learning.  How does an Instructional Designer make sure he/she is tapping into each scholars learning style?  I truly believe in order for adult learners to fully comprehend new material they have to have autonomy and relatedness to the topic.  The psychological needs for motivation (Ormrod, 2011) have to be the main approach that educators use to keep learners engaged.  Technology is another tool that I find interesting and most useful to the educational arena today.  Learners must utilize technology resources while knowledge is taking place.

Learners utilizing Connectivism for instruction.

            Technology has such a fundamental aspect of learning.  A Transformational Leader or Instructional Designer who utilizes technology in their learning environment often uses most if not all of the learning styles.  They are often conjoined with multipleintelligences to get the dynamics of the topic encoded into the learners’ brain as a stored long-term memory.  “People can demonstrate different levels of proficiency across the eight intelligences in each cognitive area” (Armstrong, 2000, p. 14) and this is prevalent with online learning.  For example, students may have to create a blog assignment that has a maximum word length of 600 and reflect on the assignment.  To accomplish this scholars are going to have to listen to audio, observe a visual of the topic, or read materials to understand the concept (Linguistic), demonstrate an example of the learned assignment (Spatial), monitor the length of the blog (logical-math), and reflect on the assignment as well as students feedback from discussion boards and online comments (Interpersonal).  So most of the Multiple Intelligences out of eight that includes Linguistic, Logical-Math, Spatial, Musical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Naturalist, and Interpersonal (pp. 6-7) were utilized along with different learning styles in one assignment. 

            This is why Connectivist learners have such an advantage on learning.  They become skilled at environments where they utilize technology resources and most of the learning styles.  The world is steadily changing into the world of technology.  There are so many different types of organizations that rely on technology for everyday business from the world of Academia to Corporate America.  Learners are going to have to keep up with technology in order to stay competitive.  As an Instructional Designer, this course will insure that I have learned the new technology and gain knowledge of all of the technical resources that are available for constructing programs.  It will also allow me to Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate instructional classes to make sure employees are getting the information they need in order to succeed in their environment.

References

Armstrong, T. (2009). Multiple intelligences in the classroom. (3rd ed.). Alexandria: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/waldenu/docDetail.action?docID=10326283

Ormrod , J. (Performer) (2011). Motivation in learning [Web]. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5693692&Survey=1&47=9547890&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

My Reflection on the Best Learning Theory

As I reflect on the Learning Theory’s I have studied over the past few weeks, I can actually say that using higher order skills with technology  gets better results of outcome.  Why do I say this?  The world is steadily evolving into a competitive technology atmosphere.  In order to keep up with the demands of corporations and stay competitive learners need to strengthen their cognitive skills along with their technology skills.  I used to think Constructivist and Connectivist learners have a higher advantage of learning using technology as well as their analytical skills.  I learn from actually involving myself with the process of doing the material.  Debates are important to a lesson because it brings new fresh ideas to concepts and allows me to tap into my long and short-term memory on other learned areas of the topic.  All of these strategies can be integrated with Connectivism, which is the best learning theory for my knowledge.  It is also the best theory to stay competitive in the techno world we live in.

George Siemens- Author of the Article

Connectivism- A Learning Theory for the Digital Age

                                                      

When I am learning in a Connectivist environment, I am able to utilize web sources, social learning, smart objects, blogs, mobiles, semantic aware applications, and many other technical resources together (Johnson,Levine, & Smith, 2009).  I utilize this type of learning because it directly keeps me connected to the wave of the future.  Even though constructivist learners utilize many of the higher order skills as in task involvements, social learning, and analysis of work, more emphasis has to be put on current up to date knowledge, which transcends with technology.  This is one of the reasons my views on how I learn, have focused on the Connectivism theory of learning.  As an adult learner who enjoys cyber learning, I am able to incorporate all of the learning styles (Gilbert &Swanier, 2008) during my online instruction.  Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic learning styles conjoined with modern technology, produces a wealth of knowledge that is competitive in today’s workforce.  I truly believe “Increasingly those who use technology in ways that expand their global connections are more likely to advance while those who do not will find themselves on the sideline” (Johnson,Levine, & Smith, 2009, p. 7).  I do not want to be on the sideline.  What type of learner are you?  Do you see yourself advancing with technology? 

References

Gilbert, J. E., & Swainer, C. A. (2008). Learning styles: how do they fluctuate?. Institute for Learning Styles Journal, 1, 40. Retrieved from http://www.auburn.edu/~witteje/ilsrj/Journal%20Volumes/Fall%202008%20Volume%201%20PDFs/Learning%20Styles%20How%20do%20They%20Fluctuate.pdf

Johnson, L., Levine, A., & Smith, R. (2009). The 2009 horizon report. The New Media Consortium, 1-36. Retrieved from http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2009-Horizon-Report.pdf

Siemens, G. (2007). The changing nature of knowledge [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg

My Network Connections

Steve Jobs (iPhone Innovator) 1955-2011

A Connectivist learner utilizes web sources and the media to learn, socialize and experience new avenues of learning (Davis, Edmonds, & Kelly-Bateman, 2008).  I am truly a Connectivist learner.  I learn from utilizing superb resources from my Online University, Blogs, RSS feeds, to learning from Social Web Medias.  What better way is it to learn?  The internet is full of so many technical resources to help learners with information.  YouTube not only gives videos for entertainment but it is a learning tutorial for many topics.  If I do not understand the dynamics of a topic or I need help understanding how to work new software, I rely on YouTube.  Networking is also a major factor in exploring fresh new ideas to topics.  Networking can also introduce people to new avenues of information.  People network every day to get information about businesses, job leads, technology developments, etc.  The social media links like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are sources that I use quite often.

Facebook is more of a social media that enables family and friends to connect to one another and share current events.  Facebook can also keep people up on class reunions, non-profit organizations, current polls etc.  It is a great source to connect to someone you have not seen in a while.  I was amazed at the amount of people that linked into my Facebook page.  Facebook is not age discriminatory either.  All people from all ages utilize Facebook.

LinkedIn is more of a professional link that I use for business purposes.  I like to stay abreast on what is happening with businesses.  If I want to know more about a particular employment lead, I will go to LinkedIn.  It enables people to see individuals’ professional statuses, which can allow for more job leads or resources to get a job.  LinkedIn allows people to not only learn more about corporations but it allows connections to top executives in firms.

Twitter is a media I use to comment on topics and learn about major current events.  I cannot tell you how many times I have been on twitter and have learned about major political debates or news flashes.  If you are the type of person that keeps up on entertainment news then this is an avenue for you also.  A lot of business leaders tweet about their products, daytime shows, news, concerts, businesses, etc.

Connectivism has positively changed the way I learn.  I utilize so many sources to learn about technology and to keep up with the ever-evolving business of technology.  If people want to stay abreast on the techno world then, they are going to have to keep track on innovative ideas to learning.  My social learning network that I have provided for you in my Mind Map and in this literature supports the doctrine of Connectivism.  How do you feel about technology and social structures as learning communities?  I would like to read your comments below.

References

Apple.com. (Producer). (2011). Steve jobs 1955-2011. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/

Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology, Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism

    

Maintain Your Brain but Educate Your Mind

Label1. The Brain.

Do we utilize our brain to its fullest potential?  I think we use it as much as we know how to use it.  Instructional Designers and Educators have many strategies to strengthen the brain.  There are different learning styles, activities that require higher order thinking as well as technology.  Another way “is to present information that is compatible to how the brain operates” (Coch, Dawson, and Fischer, 2007).  I found this statement to be very interesting.  The authors discuss methods of storing and retrieving information using the mind and brain.  I never really thought of the mind and the brain as different components but I hope you will find this reading as enjoyable as I did.  The authors really had me thinking about the difference between the psyche and intelligence when it comes down to learning information.  I always thought instruction geared towards understanding the brain and the functions of the brain, see figure1.  What do you think about this quote, “Rather than argue that instruction should be compatible with the basic operations of the brain, I argue instead that instruction should be compatible with the basic operations of the mind” (p. 31).  Hum, never thought of it like this.  The brain and mind is the same thing right?

I read a blog that discussed the “Difference between Brain and Mind” (“The difference between,” 2010) and I found it very interesting.  There was an analogy used that compared the brain and mind to hardware and software.  So in essence, we store the mind in the brain.  Even though we use our mind for essential skills as thinking, feeling, etc., our brain is the component to make sure the mind operate correctly.  In order for you to use M.S. Office software, you have to have a computer to load the information.  Therefore, the brain is the hardware and the mind is the software. 

Please go on the websites and read about the powerful brain, and comment below.  I would like to hear your responses regarding operations of the mind and brain.  Do you think Instructional Designers, Educators, and Organizational Leaders should concentrate more on educating to the mind or brain?  Please give your comments below.

References

Coch, D. , Dawson, G. , & Fischer, K. (2007).Human behavior, learning, and the developing brain : typical development. (pp. 31-46). New York: The Guilford Press.Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/waldenu/docDetail.action?docID=10188998 LeftHandersDay.com. (Producer). (1999-2009).The way your brain is organized. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.lefthandersday.com/tour2.html The difference between brain and mind [Web log message]. (2010). Retrieved from http://controlmind.info/human-brain/the-difference-between-brain-and-mind

The New Wave of Education

Education is currently evolving everyday.  There are new exciting ways to educate our children.  With the modern technology in today's society it is not good to continue with the conventional way of education.  So now what's new?  What can we gain from this new exciting techno world?  We have facebook, blogs, RSS, iPhone, Twitter, (Mason, 2011) and many more media avenues as in Figure 1.  Now we ask how we can incorporate this explosion into educating our children?  Many businesses today utilize the web for many of their day to day activities: virtual meetings, chat rooms, job announcements, networking, and public responses.  Teachers now have to be creative in their teaching and learning skills.   



Fig1. On-line media.

 I can remember sitting in a classroom where the teacher just lectured all day.  I was uninterested in the topic as well as feeling very sluggish and weary.  Can you imagine sitting in a classroom for 2 hours reading and listening to lectures?  Well this is what many students do on a daily basis.  In order to keep up with the demands of this competitive society, students have to be skillful in the modern technology.  Educators and Instructional Designers have to teach using social media sites as guides for learning new material. Our students need to be aware of what is on the web and what our organizations are using.  Most students are technology savvy anyway, but there is still a need to instruct students in areas where the demand is not visible.  Students have to be aware of all of the different learning tools available for them.  Instructional Designers need to be aware of learning theories "a source of verified instructional strategies, tactics, and techniques" (Ertmer & Newby, 1993 p. 51), in order to effectively teach.

In this blog there will be links to other blogs where technology is the focus on learning.  You will explore how Internet sites make a difference in a child's learning.  These skills are essential for students to succeed in the workplace and more corporations use digital collaboration on a daily basis (Ferriter, 2009, p. 37).  You will also look at how more instructors are using unconventional ways of educating our children.  Please leave feedback on your intake of technology in the classroom and how you think education should be moving forward.

References

Ertmer, P. & Newby, T. (1993). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 6(4), 50-71. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/72033/CRS-CW-5693692/6115%20Readings/Wk1_Ertmer-Newby-beh-cog-const.pdf 

Ferriter, B. (2009). Learning with blogs and wikis. Educational Leadership, 66(5), 34-38. Retrieved from  http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=8&sid=0b697fe4-1fdb-4dff-b415-744151c59833%40sessionmgr15&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=37007618              

Mason, K. (Photographer). (2011). What is social media marketer assistance. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://residualincomepsychiatrist.com/2011/09/04/social-media-marketer-assistance/