Fitting the Pieces Together

Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed?

Based on the information we learned throughout this course, my view has slightly changed regarding how I learn. In the Week 1 Discussion, I mention that I am a visual learner who likes hands on projects. However, I did not follow these learning styles throughout this particular course.

For example, a visual learner would probably watch the video in each Week’s Resource folder and be able to retain more of the information, where I preferred to read the video transcript. I was not able to work on hand-on projects either within this course.

I learned the material by reading the resources, asking questions, and discussing the material in our weekly discussions. I do not believe that having limited visual learning material has limited my learning in this class.

What have you learned about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain your own personal learning preferences?

I feel my online learning experience is in line with Connectivism Learning Theory and Adult Learning. I have learned how to create a network of learning resources in which the learning is in my own hands. We were not given lectures or told only to read from the course material. We were encouraged to create and use our blogs, read other blogs, post comments, and given sources to find relevant learning material on the Internet and online databases.

What role does technology play in your learning (i.e., as a way to search for information, to record information, to create, etc.)?

The use of technology plays an important rule in my learning. I use the Internet and online databases to search for information, communicate with me peers, post discussions, and become involved in an active learning community available online. I use software to compile my discussion posts, blog posts, and our Learning Theory Matrix assignment. We have used the chat feature to obtain clarity to our class project. Technology is involved with almost every step of this learning experience. Even when I read from the course text, I record my notes on the computer and upload it to Google Docs (cloud computing!) so I can access it anywhere: work, home, my husband’s computer, etc.

Connectivism

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Connectivism: Mapping Your Learning Connections 

Learning through a network of learning resources and knowledgeable individuals is different from the way I have learned in the past. In the past, I would listen to instructor instruction, read the course material, do homework, and take written tests. Creating a network of learning resources has been beneficial for many reasons. If you are in a field where ideas and tools change constantly, it is helpful to find current information that challenges old ways of thinking. Additionally, it is an open door to more resources and more learning opportunities than ever before. I now see this learning as something that is in my control and sets up a way of life to continuously seek new information, not just from reading course material, but staying up with blogs, classmates, and other online journals and articles relevant to my profession.

I typically use search engines such as Google Scholar and the Walden Library to search for new information from sources I can trust. I understand how social networking sites work, but have not yet built up a list of individuals and colleagues to share these sites. However, I do use them for my personal benefit. This way I can access these resources from any computer. I’m a fan of using del.icio.us for bookmarking my sites. I like the idea of Wikis and other collaborative tools, such as Google Docs, but have only used them a few times in my previous classes here at Walden.

To gain new knowledge, I seek answers by reviewing the course text, online articles and scholar journals. When I feel like I don’t understand something, I seek guidance from my teacher and classmates for assistances or find useful videos on YouTube or other links provided to us on the Course homepage.

I think if we understand how to find information that we can trust is reputable and learn how to share the knowledge and ideas, this personal learning network does support the ideas of connectivism.

Davis, Edmunds, and Kelly-Bateman (2008) discuss the principles of Connectivism listed below:

• Learning and knowledge rest in diversity of opinions.
• Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources.
• Learning may reside in non-human appliances.
• Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known.
• Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning.
• Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill.
• Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities.

Setting up a personal networking does fall in line with these principles, with the last principle listed above being most relevant in my opinion. I got my undergraduate degree in Web Design and Multimedia. In this field, having a personal networking is so important. Tools, software, and ideas change so fast it is easy to become out-dated. Being up-to-date is extremely important. Your personal network can support this and you are able to share your ideas (and collect ideas) from other professionals.

Reference

Davis, C, Edmunds, E, & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/