Have I Really Learned Anything????

I’ve always viewed learning as something that is automatic, must be done and something which happens on a daily basis, but never viewed it as anything else. In the past, I never thought about how learning occurs, what motivates people to learn, the connection between learning theories, styles, and multiple intelligences or how instruction can be designed to suite learners but all of these things are connected and can explain how we all learn.

One of the main things I’ve found interesting throughout my studies is the different learning styles and how some of us, knowing and unknowingly, combine different learning styles in order to remember and retain information. For example, I’ve learned I use two types of learning styles, which are mnemonics; a technique which uses familiar things such as words and phrases one can relate to the subject being learned; and elaboration; which is amplification: addition of extra material or illustration or clarifying detail and even though elaboration and mnemonics are two very different types of learning, I realize I learn best when both learning styles are utilized. After learning about the many different learning theories floating around, I tried to figure out which learning theory applied to me, but I honestly couldn’t figure it out. What I did realize is, all learning theories are basically the same, with a few small difference here and there and I also learned that a particular learning theory can’t fit one person or even a group of people but depending on the way (learning style) an individual learns will determine which learning theory will fit and will also determine how instruction should be designed for him/her.

Another interesting fact learned during my studies was the impact of motivation on how we learn. There isn’t anything more boring than taking a class that isn’t interesting, having a monotone boring professor, or taking a class that will never be relevant to whatever it is you’re majoring in which leaves you wondering if you should go to class, drop the class, or just work on other interesting material while in the class. Well, this has a lot to do with motivation. If you have experienced any of the above mentioned feelings, more than likely you lack motivation or the professor hasn’t done much to motivate you to learn the material and if a person isn’t motivated, more than likely, he or she won’t learn a thing. Instructors, professors, and teachers should be aware that even though they have many individuals taking the same course, all individuals are not the same and will not learn the same. What motivates one individual may not motivate another therefore plenty of time, patience and effort should go into presenting material, using many different technologies and utilizing different methods when teaching.

The last interesting piece of information I’ve learned, and the most important is John Keller’s ARC’S method of learning. It contains four major points which include; Attention, Relevance, Confidence and Satisfaction. The Arc’s method of learning isn’t only for the Instructional Designer but I believe it should be relevant for any professional who has a role in teaching or presenting important information to any group of people. You should first grab their attention, let them know how this information will be of relevance to them, build confidence by giving positive feedback and leave them satisfied with the course and the material they have learned.

Learning Theories...Do I know more?

During the past eight weeks I've learned more about learning styles, multiple intelligences and learning theories than I have during the 100 years I've been on this earth. I must admit, at times it's been a bit confusing, but all together it's been a fun, interesting and an informative experience. I've learned about cognitive theory, behaviorist theory, constructivism, connectivism, social learning theory, adult learning theory and I've even learned to pin point my preferred learning style. Since I’ve learned all of these important theories, terms, styles and other important facts, I think it’s time to share what I’ve learned with you. Below are a few questions that I will address in hopes that you will understand the depth of my learning and in turn share it with others.

• Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed? My view on how I learn hasn’t changed much, only my belief in behaviorism has changed. I’ve come to accept and understand other theories and learning styles work, depending on the individual involved. One thing that I have realized is I learn by combining learning styles. I learn by elaboration, mnemonics, and by doing (something like OJT) but I can learn absolutely nothing if I’m only looking at the material I am to learn or by hearing the material. I almost always have to use a combination of learning styles in order to learn any kind of material.

• 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’ve learned that there are many different learning styles and theories and as time passes someone will develop, create or discover many more. In the past I’ve been a hard core believer in behaviorism and over the past few weeks I’ve changed my mind many times but I’ve now come to the conclusion that learning theories and learning styles depend on the person or people involved. The way some people learn may support behaviorism, while some may support cognitive learning and others social learning or connectivism, it all depends on the way an individual learns and that individuals preferred learning style.

• What role does technology play in your learning (i.e., as a way to search for information, to record information, to create, etc.)? Because I’m an online learner, technology plays a very important role in my learning. I use the internet to access my courses, online resources such as electronic libraries to gather information, join social networks and groups for up to date information on the subject of my choice and subscribe to blogs, usually to get another view or different opinion about a particular subject. I also use my cellular phone to send and receive email, RSS feed updates and to send and receive assignments. Technology has made learning much easier and without it I would probably be at a library, up to my neck in journals, books and periodicals.

The Brain & Learning and Information Processing Theory

Have you ever thought about the way you or other people learn or about how the brain process information? Well, there's some excellent information that I recently read that may peak your curiosity. The first is an article entitled "Brain and Learning" http://www.tused.org/internet/tused/archive/V3/i2/text/tusedv3i2s5.pdf  

that discuss the function of the brain, ideas and models about the brain, neuroscience and education, learning and the main factors that effect learning. The information in this article is excellent, especially for students doing research on this subject or anyone wanting to know a little bit more about how the brain works and functions as it relates to learning. The second article  entitled "Information Processing-Theory of Human Problem Solving"

http://octopus.library.cmu.edu/cgi-bin/tiff2pdf/simon/box00012/fld00830/bdl0001/doc0003/simon.pdf

is a wonderful article power packed with excellent information about characteristics of the human information processing system, perception and problem solving, information gathering strategies and of course, the theory itself. This article is will also be great for anyone wishing to know a little more information on this subject or students doing research in this area. 

Because Instructional Designers deal with Brain based learning and the Information Processing Theory, both of these articles will be beneficial in designing instruction that's fun and easy to learn.

Would You Like to Know More about Instructional Design?

What is Instructional Design? Well, "Instructional Design is the practice of maximizing the effectiveness, efficiency and appeal of instruction and other learning experiences", and is a very important and growing field in today's society. I believe we have entered into a new era, an era where learning and training are not seen as tedious and boring, but fun and engaging. Would you like to find out more about the subject of Instructional Design? Well, there's a lot of information floating around the internet, in magazines, books and videos; some good and some bad, but I've recently come across some excellent sites about Instructional Design that I'd like to share with you.

The first site I'd like to share is one of my favorites and is an Articulate network dedicated to the e-learning community. This site is filled with important and vital information about the learning process, managing e-learning, designing the right courses, and much more information on the "how to's" of Instructional Design.

http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/what-everybody-ought-to-know-about-instructional-design/

The second site I'd like to share is a professional website "designed to provide information about instructional design principles and how they relate to teaching and learning". This site also gives information about storyboarding, user interface design, and also gives great information about upcoming Instructional Design Conferences and presents information about notable Instructional Designers.

http://www.instructionaldesign.org/

The third site I'd like to share is probably important to most who are already in this field or would like to enter into this field. This site gives information on national salary data for Instructional Designers in different states and for different companies. http://www.payscale.com/research

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Instructional_Designer_%28Training_%26_Development%29/Salary

There's one more piece of information I'd like to share. If you'd like to learn more about Instructional Design and the process, please take a look at this excellent video I found.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnCNBEfKk2I

All of these resources are excellent, especially the Articulate Community, and all of these resources can help provide cultivation, training and development of all those wanting to or who have already entered into the field of  Instructional Design.