Reflection Paper

Course Reflection

Edward Sampson

Walden University

Dr. Shirley Weaver

Learning Theories and Instruction EDUC-6115-2

August 21, 2011

               Learning theories and instruction takes you on a journey through the learning maze and allows an individual to process and understand learning through many different forms.   The one thing that I find striking was the different types of learning styles and strategies but most are similar in a lot of ways.  The course differentiate be learning styles and learning theories.   Ertmer and Newby, 1993 state the way we define learning and what we believe about the way learning occurs has important implications for situations in which we want to facilitate changes in what people know and or do.  Learning theories provide instructional designers with verified instructional strategies and techniques for facilitating learning as well as a foundation for intelligent strategy selection. The article looks at behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.  These were theories that I found to be striking.  Behaviorist theories are where learners relate to physical/visible stimuli and responses (Omrod, 2011). Cognitive Theories connect to what is already known (Ormrod, 2009) and Constructivist theory is where learning is self led.  Learners construct theories of knowledge and know truths only by what they construct through their self-led instructions guided by their theories (Ormrod, 2009). 

  As I went through the course, I often find experiences from personal things throughout my life that relates to one or more of these theories.  From these experiences I am now able to form an understanding of how I learn and what way of learning is best for me.  From this process, I am able to say that I have at one point or another in my life learned from each theory or strategy.  Currently, I am an adult learner and learning is self directed for me.  I learn through participation starting with determining topics through final results (Lieb, 1991). Also, connectivism is also something that has deepened my understanding of my learning process.  We live in the social media age now and we connect through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs. 

Learning theories are defined as an attempt to describe how people and animals learn; thereby helping us understand the inherently complex process of learning. Learning theories have two chief values according to Hill (2002). One is in providing us with vocabulary and a conceptual framework for interpreting the examples of learning that we observe. The other is in suggesting where to look for solutions to practical problems.  Learning styles such as visual, kinesthetic or practical are closely connect with learning theories in that it offers ways the student is able to learn the different theories. 

            Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources Richey, R.C. (2008).  Again educational technology is at work with learning theories, styles all connecting the pieces together to help us learn and grow and instructional designers.  The last part of the puzzle is motivation.

               Motivation has many different theories and strategies as well.  One that I love is Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.   Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs is one that is significant to adult learners.  Maslow theory has five levels.  Maslow believes humans are not pushed by mechanical forces but by potential.  The five basic needs are physiological needs which consist of the need for oxygen, food, water.  The second is safety needs which are the need for security.  Thirdly, we have the need for love and affection.  The need to belong is the key component.  Fourth, we have the need for esteem.  For example, the need for respect in the work place.  Your manager has given you a project to complete and you are commended on a job well done in front of your peers and other managers.  The person feels self confident and valued.  The last need is self actualization.  The individual feels a sense of purpose is achieved.  The worker believes in his job and understands he is able to accomplish all aspects of the job.  

               This course is the launching pad for me as I continue to pursue my degree in instructional design.  I can use each learning style or theory as I progress through other course.  I know that I can apply any one of these and have a great outcome in the course.  

References

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.

Ormrod, Jeanne. (2011). Behaviorism and Instructional Design. Video for Walden University.

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York:

Pear Lieb, Stephen. (1991). Principles of Adult Learning. VISION. Retrieved on April 16, 2011 from http://

honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-2.htm.son

http://www.answers.com/topic/learning-theory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology#cite_note-0

Fitting the Pieces Together

At the beginning of the course I believed I learned through social cognitive behavior and constructivism.  The course is almost to an end and the question is how my view on how you learned changed.  We have studied six different types of learning which are behaviorist, cognitive, constructivist, social learning, connectivism and adult learning.  It is my conclusion that I have learned from all of these at what time or another during my years from the time I was born until now. 

I have learned from the various learning theories and learning styles that most of them correlate or complement each other.  We have learned that learning isn’t something that is set in stone.  Each theory or style has added another viewpoint to the overall learning environment.  As I have progressed through this course I have realized that learning is subject to many different factors such as environment, social interactions, students, teachers, and advances in technology.  Students have taught me through their experiences whether it is work related or social experiences.  We come from different paths but our common thread is that we are learning through different styles and strategies. 

Technology has become a major part of how we learn today.  Adult learners depend on computer based programs to help us achieve our learning goals.  We have learned about smart objects, semantic-aware applications, Google Earth and Geo applications which are the future of technology.  We can search for information using different search engine such as Edutopia.  We can use mind mapping to create our connections.  Because technology has evolved, it has become easier for us to find information in a timely manner.  The future is bright in the area of technology and education.  Adult learners can blog with other adult learners from anywhere in the country and share their ideas and beliefs.

I have learned that learning never stops and there is always a different way of learning and understanding.  It is not based on one way or style.