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.