Fitting the Pieces Together

Over the past few weeks I have stepped into a realm that I enjoy. I was aware of three learning theories but studying the others helped bring an even clearer understanding of theories and styles of learning. I see new combination of learning theories that can be put into practice. These theories clearly display methods in which Instructional designers can bring new life into the learning process for their students. Students have always enjoyed hands on projects as well as interaction in their learning process. Designing lessons that students see and touch in the learning process makes learning more enjoyable. Designing a lesson based on Connectivism coupled with project learning provides life for the students learning. These theories of learning place a level of understand in theory that works well with technology.

I have been an Instructor for over twenty. In that time frame I have studied and watch the process of development change and become better. Being a technical person I‘ve always looked at things a little different. When I look at a computer I see more than just a box filled with electronics. It’s like a Doctor looking at a human body. I can visualize what is going on inside the computer. To see learning theories such as Connectivism and Constructivism places a new view from the perspective instructional design. Because I think like a technician and an Instructional Designer I can see learning taking place at the different junctions in the process. I have always known I was a hands on learner, since the first stereos system I build having never taken an electronics class. Even now as I work with my students, I find a way to work Connectivism into the process because I believe that students enjoy this realm. It helps me when I can see processes come to life before me. These newer theories enhance my learning process.

Technology is second nature to me. I use it in every aspect of life. I am one of those individuals that needs to be watch when on vacation, because I will pull out my laptop. I am always looking for new ways to present information to my classes no matter what class I teaching or designing. I’m on the internet searching for information that I think will help my student learn something faster or better. I am presently designing a site for my student to access when they are not in class. They will be able to access the site and get a narrative of the notes from the class. I’m doing this for my adult students so they will not get behind in class. I don’t think technology is the answer for everything but I think it will make life better if used properly.

Reflection on my Mindmap

The connection I have made over the past few years have depend my desire to learn more about human learning. In order to bring this into my daily life, these groups have caused me to question my methods of approach and design. Early on the organization I was employed by kept me confine to a conservative structure very little technology. I am presently an independent working others that believe innovation is a must if you want to grow. I now look at ways of learning that I could not see in the past. For instance; I was recently asked to work with some student that had the tag of hard to teach. I asked the administrators why they said they could not learn. The reply was stocking, so I want repeat it. I asked to meet the student and when I did I asked the student if they could play video? Everyone knows the answer was yes. I asked the student who show them how to play the games and 99.9% stated they showed themselves. I had made my point. If these young minds could learn video game they could learn English. My connections have shown me how to look outside the box. I can see student moving forward if we upgrade our learning tools. I have found that my camera, computer and digital recorder help learn in fast pace environment. I can record the speaker’s notes and place them on my computer. As I listen I can research any statements that is made on a topic I’m interested. The Google search engine has become one of my best friends.

The teams I work with also help me expand my knowledge. When I ask a question it isn’t a quick answer and let’s go to lunch. I normally get why are you ask this question. The groups I’m around seldom answers a question but they do guild you to the answer which in term enhances your knowledge. This is a great way to become smarter fast and increase you knowledge base. One question can cause me to study for days. In the process my knowledge base is increasing and because I normally on the internet. Connectivism works well for me. I like reaching out to others and grabbing the information I need. When I work with technology, it becomes easier for me to blend my ideas into a working solution. My personal network are all companies and people that work with technology or working overseas where they use technology to post their findings. So it becomes easy for me to find out the last with youth in Kenya, Haiti and compare them to students in America. When I look at my findings on PowerPoint I can see all the hands connecting.

Karl's Mind Map

The Human Brain and Learning. 17 Jan 2010

In an attempt to learn more about education and the function of the brain in the learning process, the following was revealed to me. The publisher of the journal Learning and Individual Differences, reveal their finding in an article on the 13^th of January 2010. The article stated “selection for cognitive skill acquisition depends on task demands and working memory capacity”.

The involvement of working memory capacity (WMC) in ruled-based cognitive skill acquisition is well-established, but the duration of its involvement and its role in learning strategy selection is less certain. (N=610) learned four logic rules, their corresponding symbols, or logic gates, and the appropriate input-output combinations in three-gate circuit patterns," investigators in the United States report. The team went on to practice 120 repetitions of each rule over the course of ten blocks. They found that the memory load varied between subjects. This study continues on but as Educators we must stay in flow with this type of information. In designing course material this becomes a major player. If I want to have the greatest impact I should design course with the students’ abilities at the forefront.

More research is being conducted at the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. Their studies have revealed some emerging theories about people learning. Their discoveries in neuroscience and continued developments in cognitive psychology have presented new ways of thinking about the brain, neurological structure and the attendant perceptions and emotions that contribute to learning. In other words how the brain works. We are cautioned that the brain is complex and there is still wide spread debate on these topics. Never the less this research has provided strong possibilities in education. As educator we should continue to follow these studies and improve our development in Instructional design.

The publisher of the journal Learning and Individual Differences can be contacted at: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Walden Library)

Caine, R. N., and G. Caine (1991). Making connections: Teaching and the human brain. Alexandria, VA (The Web; http://www.sedl.org/scimath/compass/v03n02/brain.html)

Summary of Blog Sites

The first site provides you with insight from the professionals in the field across the country. It provides comments on resources and ideas to assist you in various areas within Instructional Design. It is good to have resources to refresh or awaken a new thought within you. The posts on these sites are very interesting and will help in the view points of others in the field and enable you to see the ideas of others. You may not agree with everything but that can still provide growth. http://www.iddblog.org/ As an Instructional Designer our minds must be toned to new ideas and be able to dream of new ways to keep the attention of the learner. In this fast pace world full of technology and information at every turn, the job of the Instructional Designer became harder. Our eyes send so much information to the brain that we are easily bored. In Cathy Moore’s blog, design takes on a new meaning. Noted that these are views, everyone can see the same picture yet walk away with a different view of the picture. That’s what I see on this site; see design in a different light. Everyone can get into dry place, where the thoughts are not coming as fast as we would like them. Sites like this one could help you awaken something new simply by seeing someone do something out of the ordinary. http://blog.cathy-moore.com/ There is a wealth of information on the internet; however some of them hold your attention better than other. The following site brought something to right to your face. http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/what-everybody-ought-to-know-about-instructional-design/ Did you know that we see everything before our eyes and yet we do not acknowledge some things at all? How often have you said to yourself or someone else that you did see what was right before you. This site demonstrated that we see what we are searching and often miss what is before our eyes. This type of information helps our creativity. As Instructional Designers we need to be productive for their clients as well as themselves. The video on this site show us how easily we can miss what is right before us. The above sites all offer something different; yet can be very helpful to the designer. This enter action would help a great deal for individual that work out of their homes and newcomers looking for help.