How I Learn - Fitting the Pieces Together

When I started out grasping learning theories, I did not realize that they would provide some insight to how I learn, and for that matter, how everyone else learned. From your basic classroom to your the most complex online classes, all instruction is based on many learning theories that have been tried and tested.

Not giving any thought to how I learned, I noted that on a cursory level that I was a visual learner. And more than that, I was also very interested in learning things that have immediate application for me. My view on that hasn't really changed that much, but it's shed some light for me by putting a name to how I learn. In my case, I understand how I learn as an adult and what engages me as a learner based on where I am in my life. The learning strategies I encountered with adult learning theories allow me to create a road map for my own learning. As I move forward with creating instructional design for others, I am able to filter that particular learning from my own point of view.

I have learned a great deal about various learning theories that help support my own learning. Not a single theory dominates my own personal learning preferences but I can pull ideas from different theories that work for my own personal learning. The first learning theory I find useful or actually inspiring is constructivism. I am given the opportunity to create my own meaning form the learning based on the rich learning environment. I like the idea that a rich learning environment with all the right tools are provided but I as the leaner am able to extract my own meaningful understanding from that environment. Secondly, as an adult, I responded to the tenets behind adult learning theories. Since I do much of my learning on my own, I am self-directed and look to apply that knowledge immediately. Experiential and project-based learning are two learning strategies that I feel I respond to in terms of using my prior life and work experience. Finally, the insight I had the most in was linking Connectivism to my learning. I spend a lot of time online and researching and I realize that this form of learning is very much central to me and the new media age. Through research and exploration and linking many diverse sources, I am able to arrive at my own meaning of the knowledge I am seeking.

Technology plays a huge role in my learning. I would go so far as to say that in many instances, technology motivates me to learn more. Case in point, I purchased an iPad recently and as a consequence seem to be spending more time writing and researching, even finishing my assignments quicker. The technology enables me to respond faster to my learning. As more technological advances occur and effectively assist with supporting learning, I am confident that I will embrace them as I see fit for my own learning.

Connectivism - Mind Map

This week's assignment is on understanding Connectivism - a learning theory in which learning occurs as part of a social network of many diverse connections and ties. Therefore, I have mapped out the way I learn things through this form of learning, where tools of technology really make these connections possible. I'll make clear these connections by way of the following questions:

1. How has your network changed the way you learn?

My network of learning is continuous and far-reaching, so it doesn't end in the classroom or textbook as in a traditional classroom. Through the many connections, I can learn about a certain topic through multiple sources. This allows me to get diverse viewpoints and interpretations on a certain topic. It also allows me to connect with the source of the learning in a meaningful as often times I can reach the author of a blog or post comments.

2. Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

Often that depends on the topic. Since I am visual learner, I learn a lot from videos on YouTube and Vimeo. There are many do-it-yourself projects and interviews that often link back to other sources like blogs and websites to add layers of knowledge to a topic. Subscribing to podcasts is another tool that makes it easy to learn, especially since they are playable on mobile devices. Facebook is helpful between my peers and friends as they often provide resources that are unheard of.

3. How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?

First I will look for a Wikipedia source on the topic. Then, I will try forums and discussions groups (such as Yahoo and Google groups) with active members who are professionals and can provide immediate answers. I will also email the author a blog who is an expert in the subject by doing a Google search. These are more trusted sources. If I want a more general and less trusted response, I will try Yahoo answers. Posting a comment on a blog post on a similar topic is also a quick way to get an answer if the blog is quite popular. Finally, posting on Facebook and Twitter works just as well.

4. In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?

My learning tenets support the overall tenets of connectivism because of the tools and technologies I utilize on the web. At some point, the information becomes too much and I am forced to filter and process the resources where I can pick and choose. The various multimedia feeds into my learning and creates a diorama of knowledge that builds upon the other. It also makes me responsible for my own learning and how to organize the learning resources. In a sense, I am the 'architect' of my own learning.

Rapid E-Learning Blog Review

One of the blogs in instructional design that I really admire and follow is the Articulate - Rapid Learning blog. It strips the practice of instructional design down to its basics and how it should really be the role of the instructional design to create engaging learning. If the learner is not engaged with the material, then it's time re-evaluate your strategies.

One of the most recent posts from the blog is about creating engaging learning called 'Here Are Ten Rules To Create Engaging ELearning'. Written by Tom Kuhlmann, among the rules he cites is that the course needs to be relevant to the leaner. Coming from my readings of learning theories in my Instructional Design graduate-level class, there are some applications that make sense from a theoretical standpoint. Since all learners are not created equal, as Instructional Designers we have to take the time to asses our learner's needs. This segues nicely into the application of learning theories in designing elearning courses. We must take into account the learning task at hand as well as the proficiency of the learner before we select any instructional strategy approach. For instance, constructivism would work well as a strategy for a problem solving course because the learner uses higher level cognitive processes.

Also, the learner needs to be an active learner in the process, so don't just design courses that allow a ;earner to interact passively with the content. Kuhlmann has a point here since most learners need to employ certain strategies to allow transfer of knowledge to be permanent in their long term memory. To make that successful, one might design elearning to be placed and used in the context of the learner;s environment. How would they apply that knowledge in their workplace or their specific job role?

Kuhlmann mentions giving the learner the opportunity to reflect on the content. Reflecting for the learner can come in the form of self-regulating processes such as elaboration (providing examples in context), rehearsal (learning through repetition)l and organizing (grouping information). Reflecting through some of these strategies aids in more active learning and can aid in the recall of information from one's long term memory.

A final interesting aspect of Kuhlmann's engaging thesis for elearning involves problem solving, which is to let the learner find their way to the information and content through solving a problem. The learner will know what information to pull form the available content to solve the problem. It's a subtle form of active learning. Through trial and error, it's very possible for the learner to arrive at insights that have a lasting impact on the transfer of knowledge.

Recommended Resources - Information Processing and Learning

Scouring the web looking for some resources to augment my understanding of information processing which is a key learning theory, I came across the following site that might shed some light on The Brain and Learning, Information Processing Theory and Problem-solving Methods During the Learning Process:

SITE: Educational Psychology Interactive

The site is run by by Dr Bill Huitt, who is a professor at Valdosta State University. He has a PhD in educational psychology. His website is a comprehensive resource on all aspects of learning and education. Many approaches from the brain to information processing to educational research gets neatly categorized with extensive resources for further reading.

In the section on information processing, Dr Huitt draws a diagram that allows an instructional designer to see how using an information processing works in a practical setting such as a classroom. Specific princiiples are outlined correlating to specific examples of activities that can used in the classroom. It's a clear and simple way to see how inforamtion processing can also be put to use in online learning.

In his section on reading, he also cited many recent academic studies of brain research and development and relation to learning and knowledge.


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Recommended Instructional Design Blogs

As a helpful resource toward understanding instructional design, I have done some research to bookmark a few blogs that can shed insights into current instructional design issues and point me in the direction of new strategies.

The first blog I checked out was the Rapid E-Learning Blog from Articulate. It's run by Tom Kuhlmann, an e-learning expert with 15 years in the industry. What he does in this blog is to give very practical tips to achieve instructional design fast and quick - hence, the term 'rapid' in his blog title. There are quick tips and tutorials on using graphics, Powerpoint templates, audio and visual ideas to spice up instructional design. Tom's focus here is on e-learning though, as mostly everything is software-based creation. Articulate is an e-learning software with many applications.

The next blog I found helpful and useful is Christy Tucker's Blog. She bookmarks a lot of excellent resources from around the web and is fairly well updated on a regular basis. Christy is an instructional designer herself with a focus on blended and e-learning. One of her most visited articles is What does an instructional designer do? - it's an excellent introduction to the field from a current practitioner.

Finally, there's a very lively blog called Making Change. This blog belongs to Cathy Moore who is an elearning designer based in Bloomington, Indiana. There are many practical ideas in her blog that begin with 'how-to'. She makes it easy and very accessible to the lay person to understand how to design learner-friendly e-courses. A strong aspect of instructional design in her blog is her focus on business practices when working with clients. She gives techniques on how to deliver for clients in the real world.

Please bookmark these blogs as I hope these blogs prove to be very helpful in helping us instructional designers create powerful and effective instructional design.

Welcome to my Instructional Design Blog

This will be a blog to track my understanding of instructional design and its practices. As a requirement for my graduate instructional design program, it's also hopefully a free forum to truly discuss, observe and learn from others the most effective strategies for creating instructional design in many settings.