Reflection!

As I reflect upon this course, I am surprised by what I have learned and accomplished in such a short period of time. I have moved from a more simplistic view of how people learn to a deeper understanding of how this is accomplished. This paper is a reflection of what I have learned and how I will use this information in the future as an instructional designer.

This course has exposed me to several learning theories and learning styles. At the completion of this course, what I find most shocking is that, even with all of the research on the subject, we still do not know how to effectively reach all students with one approach. All individuals have various learning styles and learning needs. One theory cannot explain how all humans process information. For this reason, I understand that to reach the greatest number of individuals, we should incorporate multiple learning theories and styles. As Bill Kerr (2007) discussed in his blog, we should take the best from each philosophy. All students do not learn the same way.  For this reason, we should not expect one approach to reach everyone. With that being said, I am still surprised we have not found an approach that optimizes learning for all.

This course has also deepened my understanding of my own learning. Gilbert and Swanier (2008) discussed how students’ learning styles may fluctuate across concepts and lessons. Master’s level education requires a deeper, more complex type of learning and understanding. Therefore, my current learning needs are best met with the connectivist learning theory. According to the connectivist learning theory, learning occurs at the intersection of prior knowledge, experience, perception, reality, comprehension, and flexibility (Edmunds & Kelly-Bateman, 2008). My current degree path is designed to enhance and improve upon previous experiences.

With the multiple advancements in educational technology, learning styles and learning theories adapt to the changing environment. The Horizon Project is an “ongoing research project designed to identify and describe emerging technologies likely to have an impact on learning, teaching and creative inquiry in education” (NMC, 2014). Students are becoming increasingly savvier when it comes to technology and education. Therefore, it is the expectation that schools incorporate these advancements into curriculum and remain up-to-date with technology.

This course has provided me with a strong base to build and design an effective curriculum for nursing students. We were exposed to various learning styles and learning theories throughout the semester. Although I will not be a traditional educator, these philosophies are applicable to all students.  I hope to identify individual needs of my students and create an optimal learning environment for all that I teach.

After completing this course, I can say that I know have a greater arsenal for teaching student nurses. I understand the importance of knowing my students and keeping my learners motivated. It is important to know why people learn the way they do, in order to provide them with the best possible education!

 

 

 

 

 

References

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

Gilbert, J.E. & Swanier, C.A. (2008). Learning styles: How do they fluctuate? Institute for Learning Styles Journal, 1, 29-40.

Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from:             http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

New Media Consortium (2014). NMC Horizon Report: 2014 Higher Education Edition.   Retrieved from: http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2014-nmc-horizon-report-he-EN-SC.pdf

Fitting the pieces together

At the beginning of this course, I was asked to evaluate my learning style. I simplistically stated that flashcards and mnemonics were the best tools for helping me learn a concept.  Therefore, visual and auditory learning seemed to be the style that best fit my needs. However, throughout this course, we learned of various learning theories, which I believe are all effective for different learning environments and needs at different times in our lives.

In my opinion, my current learning needs are best met with the constructivist theory and connectivism. My learning has graduated from a more basic learning to a need for a deeper, complex understanding. It is not enough to know something, I must be able to interpret and use this new information.   For example, I have a rolodex of information stored in my memory. Learning a new skill allows me to connect new information with old stored memories. These connections create meaning to the new information, allowing for deeper understanding and comprehension.  If this connection is not made, then I am unlikely able to use this information properly and I may not retain it in my memory.

Technology has definitely become a major part of my education.  During the pursuit of my first degree, the internet was not readily available and I was not very technologically savvy. Therefore, my studies revolved around textbooks and library research.  The computer was the only technology I really utilized in my education, at that time.  In contrast, technology is a main component of my present life as a student. My current courses are mainly hybrid or exclusively online. Therefore, awareness and knowledge of various technologies is vital. Research is mainly, if not exclusively, conducted online through access to the university library databases. My smartphone is always at my fingertips available for internet searches or even to check classroom discussion posts. At this point in my life, I cannot imagine education without technology. It’s hard remembering life without it!

Connectivism reflection

This week we were tasked with creating a mind map of our learning connections and reflecting upon this network and its relationship to Connectivism.

I strongly believe that experience is learning. Each connection in my network has influenced my learning in a variety of ways. Many of my coworkers are currently enrolled in school as well. Throughout each semester, we discuss our classes and offer input, assistance and support.  We each attend different universities, so we have different experiences and resources from which to draw. Over the years, I have developed a variety of tips and tricks from classmates, colleagues, mentors and educators. They provide me with a different viewpoint on topics that stimulate my learning.

Since I have been a student for a very long time, I have learned of a variety of resources to use when I need to research a question.  On a daily basis, my coworkers and I perform google searches when faced with something unfamiliar. Contrary to popular belief, not everything you read on the internet is true. Therefore it is important to know what websites are reliable and accurate. For more in depth research, I use sites such as EBSCOhost and CINAHL.  These provide me with evidence- based research or peer reviewed journals that have proven to be invaluable for graduate level work.

The principles of connectivism as presented by Seimens (2005) are:

• Learning and knowledge rests 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.
• Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision.

My personal learning network supports the main tenets of the theory as listed above. Learning is a constant in my life. I am always looking to others for their insights and expanding my networks. Learning is not a stagnant process. Individuals layer new experiences with old ones, constantly building on what is already known. Our networks grow and expand with each person we meet and the technology we use.

Seimens, G. (January 5, 2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. Retrieved from: http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm.

Connectivism

Mind map of my learning connections

Our learners are social: Television has talked to us for decades, but it never listened!

The Brain and Learning

This week, our classroom focus was on the brain and learning. I find this to be a fascinating topic because, not only is there so much that is unknown about the brain, but educators are just now starting to incorporate research findings into mainstream learning environments. For this reason, there is a plethora of information available on the subject.  I found two articles of particular interest that I will discuss in this blog post.

The first article is called “Brain Research and Education: Fad or Foundation?”by Pat Wolfe.  The author discusses current and past research and its implications on classroom learning. According to Wolfe, teachers tend to follow the newest trends before research has been completed.  He encourages educators to sort through all of the data and determine which studies may be applied to the classroom environment. In the article, he presents what has been learned about the brain and how these findings relate to educational practice. 

In my opinion, this article is very useful to educators. The author breaks down the research and summarizes findings in an easy to understand manner.  He also makes suggestions on how to use these findings to enhance students’ learning and comprehension.

I recommend this article to all educators, especially if you have an interest in brain research and its implications on learning. The following link will direct you to this article: http://patwolfe.com/2011/09/brain-research-and-education-fad-or-foundation/

The second article is entitled “Brain-friendly teaching: From sensory to long-term memory,” by Marilee Sprenger.  This article provides the reader with insights on how best to optimize conversion of information to long-term memory. The author presents seven steps to achieve this. Sprenger says you need to “make teaching memorable.”  She presents an example from her own teaching that demonstrates each step. 

I also found this article to be useful for educators. The steps she discusses may seem basic, but ultimately seem to embed the subject matter.  From reaching each student to ultimately retrieving the knowledge, she provides guidance to educators to best create an environment for learning.

I would recommend this article for educators, especially those that are new to practice or hitting a roadblock with student achievement. To retrieve this article, use the following link: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev156b.shtml

Instructional Design Blog Review

My name is Liz; I am currently a MSN student specializing in Nursing Education.  Part of the focus for my course this semester is on the use of Blogs in education and course design. This is my first time blogging!  I am excited to see how this forum will enhance my learning and how I can incorporate these ideas into a non-traditional educational role. 

The assignment this week was to create a blog and review other blogs that discuss instructional design. Below you will find my synopsis and thoughts on three different blogs. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!

 

http://manudelearner.wordpress.com/2014/05/08/becoming-an-instructional-designer-id/

This blog seems to guide readers towards professional growth.  He presents ideas to convey messages concisely so that others comprehend. As it pertains to Instructional Design, he makes suggestions of steps to take to enter into this field.

The information found in this blog lays a good framework to branch out for further investigation on various topics.  Although it is basic knowledge, it does provide useful content that can be referenced in the future for my current class.

 

http://coffeeandesign.wordpress.com/

The focus of this blog is e-Learning. The author discusses topics found in current news and media. Most of the postings presented discuss ways to make the distant learner feel not so distant.

This blog is written by an Instructional designer who is current in the field. Therefore, the information presented is reliable and useful in present day applications.

 

http://www.willatworklearning.com/

This blog appears to focus on supporting the students of e-Learning and promoting their success. The author of this blog discusses current topics found within various media outlets.

Although content is applicable to my coursework, this blog is very technical. The author makes the assumption that all readers have previous knowledge on this subject matter. This will pose a challenge for my use in the immediate future because I am not yet well-versed on the subject.