Reflection
This course has deepened my
knowledge through the understanding of
how to be an effective Instructional Designer.
I have a greater understand and can recognize how people learn. Second I learned how to design an effective
adult learning experience. Finally thirdly, how important it is to incorporate
emerging technology into instruction.
Learning Theories
After filling in the Learning Theories Matrix I really thought a lot about how I learned. After gaining a deeper understanding of the various learning theories and learning styles over the last few weeks, I really know more about learning. In the beginning I knew that were are several methods that I learn through, now I know that there are six major theories. The two theories or perspectives in which I thought that I learned through were “Behaviorism and Cognitivism” (Ertmer & Newby 1993). I also learned about learning and transfer to long-term memory. Now that I understand how the transfer occurs I can target this learning into my Instructional Design. I learned that I have a greater connection through three learning theories, Adult Learning theory, Connectivism, and Cognitivism Theory. I learned that I classify information into categories will then store this information. “Then I recognize and classify the similarities and differences between the information and recall the information at a later time (Ertmer and Newby 1993). Now that I have a greater understanding of how I learn, I have a greater understanding of how others learn.
Designing Effective Adult Learning Experiences
According to Foley and Griff, there are several types of learning,
“formal, non-formal, informal, and incidental learning” (2004. p 4-5). I have learned that in designing effective
learning I need to know the type of learning environment the adult learning is
taking place. I understand that an adult learner is not suited to one
particular type of learning environment. I know now that if I were to design a
learning environment for adults, I need to keep in mind the type of learning
that will be taking place along with how the learning will take place. I
learned that as an Instructional Designer it is important to boost the
motivational level of the online learners. Also, I learned that if there were
any issues that need to be addressed I would apply them to Keller’s ARCS
categories of Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction (2013).
Integrating Emerging Technologies into Instruction
As an Instructional Designer I learned that it is important that I understand the importance of integrating emerging technologies into my instruction. After reading about emerging technology in the “The Horizon Report,” I have a better understanding of how new technologies are being used everyday in education. And how important technology is in relation to learning theories. In this article by Nick Wingfield, “people are using their smartphones the way they use to use their laptops.” New apps are being created everyday to download to Smartphones. The apps are making it so easy to use our phones as a mini computer (2009). I have a greater understanding of how I learn and the learning theory that best suits my learning needs and motivation would be Connectivism. “Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age,” Connectivism is presented as a learning theory that integrates technology, social networks, and information. So personal network supports the tenants Connectivism through the use of joining and staying linked through blogs, Facebook, Twitter, emails, to gain knowledge or share information with social and professional networks (Siemens 2005).
In closing, this course has helped
understand how to be an effective Instructional Designer. In doing so, I learned to understand and
recognize how people learn. Second I
learned how to design an effective adult learning experience. Finally thirdly, I
learned how important it is to incorporate emerging technology into
instruction.
Resources
Ertmer,
P. A., & Newby, T. J. (1993). Behaviorism,
cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an
instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 6(4),
50 71.
Foley, Griff. Dimensions of Adult Learning. Berkshire,
GBR: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, 2004. p45. http://site.ebrary.com/lib/waldenu/Doc?id=10161341&ppg=22Copyright
© 2004. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing. All rights reserved.
Nick Wingfield. (February 23,
2009). Time to Leave the Laptop Behind.
In The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122477763884262815.html.
Siemens, G. (2005, January). Connectivism: A learning theory for the
digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology &
Distance Learning, Retrieved April 07, 2013, fromhttp://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm
