Sunday, February 26, 2017

Fitting the Pieces Together


In week one of the Learning Theories course we studied the first three learning theories: behavioral, cognitive and constructivist.  We dug into them and came up with examples of how and when each of them serve best in learning.  Since then, we have learned of three other learning styles that are more current than the first three: social learning theory, connectivism and adult learning.  Social learning is based on a reality that exists through social interaction, so learning is a social activity.  Connectivism is based on the premise that we cannot experience everything.  We need to rely on other information sources to help us make decisions.  Adult learning is the culmination of learning that is centered on adults.  It includes several learning styles and how to incorporate them.  These are all viable theories and apply to learning in different situations and with different individuals.  These learning theories apply to me in various learning situations.  As I mentioned in the beginning, I may run through several of these in learning a new piece of equipment or preparing to teach one. 

My preference has been experiential learning, from adult learning, for many years.  I tend to be a hands-on learner, when given a choice.  Often I start by reading and researching an equipment system before ever seeing it.  This allows me to become familiar with the different parts, how they interact and the specifications of the system.  When possible I like to learn more about it by watching videos of the equipment in operation.  When I get to work on the equipment I am better prepared by completing the first two areas.  This goes along with my first blog about the learning theories.  By reading about a new piece of equipment and watching videos on how it operates, I am applying what I already know from my background to a new piece of equipment.  This gives me a better understanding of it before I ever touch it. 

Technology plays an important role in online learning, as it is the primary means of accessing information.  I utilize the Walden library extensively for researching journal articles and other documents relevant to the week’s topic.  The information would cost from other sites but is free to students.  Some of the other technologies I’ve been introduced to since starting this education road include blogs and twitter.  These are areas I’d heard about but never thought I’d use.  So I’m starting to catch up to my kids, even though I’m several generations behind it seems.  I’ve been using Word, PowerPoint and Excel for several years to record information and they are still relevant.  Now I’m recording on my blog, as that is where this is going.  It is really a quite interesting medium that I’ll keep going back to.  Thanks to Dr. Artino for introducing me to it and to him and my classmates for building my interested in it.  It’s still going to take some getting used to visiting it regularly, but I’ll put forth the effort.  Anyway, I’m starting to learn more about these technologies and look forward to jumping into others, such as eLearning.  Post again later.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Connectivism

Here's a mind map I drafted on my education network.  Below it are some thoughts on why it is drafted this way.

Connectivism deals with networks and how they help us learn.  My network consists of six major branches.  The first three, on the left, are my home base of people support.  Family is first.  Without them I couldn’t have started a degree program.  Most of my responsibilities after work revolve around them and they continue to be my biggest and best support network.  Then friends from church, of whom Tim is foremost.  I get a lot of support from work.  My boss helps me with the resources I need for class.  Terry takes classes at Walden in a different program and we encourage each other. 
Walden has many supporting people and features that have helped me through the first couple of courses.  My counselor helped me with enrollment and program.  My instructors have helped me by providing challenging and interesting material to study.  Fellow classmates encouraged me to think and respond to their questions and comments.  My internet network includes this blog, LinkedIn and Facebook.  These have been less helpful because I’m not too social.  This is an area I need to work on to get better at it.  Resources are the other-than-people aspects of my support network.  One of the foremost of these is the Walden library.  This is my source for all things class related when it comes to my study materials.  There is little that isn’t found there.  The other side of the chart is my home communications network so that I can get and post assignments to my classes.  Together these help me learn and grow with Walden.
Questions are handled in a couple of ways.  When I have questions for an instructor, there is a link to leave them.  The great thing about this link is that it is seen by all of my classmates, as well as the instructor.  My classmates can answer and add to the question.  The instructor’s answer and comments are seen by all.  The other area in which questions are asked is in the group discussions.  We ask questions of our classmates and they respond, often with questions of their own.  It is a great part of the course and where most of the learning occurs.
These pieces of my network fully support Connectivism.  Many people think you need to be in a face-to-face classroom to network successfully.  Not in today’s technology driven world.  Interface today occurs by such tools as Skype, conference calling, video chatting and webinars.  Discussing subjects in an online classroom can be as effective as in a room in a building.  Actually, one of the benefits of an online classroom is that I can think of how I want to word my answer as I write it.  Not so in a typical classroom.  Once I speak the answer it is out there for all to hear.  I’m just saying, with the way I speak before I think, the online room is much safer.