Wk7Assgn1FangmanK - Impact of Learning Styles

As I reflect on all of the learning theories discussed in this class and going back to the first week of class, I feel that my learning styles are still the same.  During the first week of school I determined that I used Cognitive, Constructivism, and Behaviorism.  Now that I have discovered more about all learning theories, I think I use all of them to some extent.  Connectivism, Social, and Adult learning as well.  This course has shown me so much more to consider as an educator when teaching my students with multiple intelligences and cultural diversity. 

Social learning is a major part of education and while online courses do offer interaction between students and the instructor, the idea that the online format might not be suitable for high school students surfaced, indicating that social influence and networking is more important to this age group than adult learners. Considering the stages of growth and development, I can see where this would be a factor.  According to Ormrod, Schunk and Gredler, (2009), the role that social contact plays in learning is vital. 

As I continue to grow with my own education in Instructional Design & Technology, I realize that technology is and will continue to be a major part of my instruction as a teacher.  When searching for resources and material pertaining to my subject matter I always surf the internet to enhance my lesson plans.  Technology is growing at such a fast pace, the future for our students is unlimited.

References

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning Theories and Instruction (Laureate). New York: Pearson

Week 5 Reflection

Week 5 introduced us to connectivism and adult learning. Adults are for the most part self-directed and intrinsically motivated to learn and further their education. A mind map of our personal learning network was required to be compared to connectivism. In past classes I have brainstormed and created hierarchy of needs and organizational charts, but the mind map was a new experience for me. 

According to Siemens, (2005), connectivism, is described as “new information is continually being acquired and the ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. Also critical is the ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on decisions made yesterday” (Siemens, 2005).  My personal learning network made it apparent that as Siemens, (2005) stated connectivism includes the principles that “learning and knowledge rest in a diversity of opinions” and “nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning”.

As our assignments this week reflected on the resources for adult learning, is becomes apparent that the adult learner has much experience to draw upon and that network expands with each link the adult learner comes in contact with. Siemens, (2005) states that “learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources” and that “learning may reside in non-human appliances”.  As technology becomes more a part of our lives, the ability to connect or link with others is much easier.  I use Google daily and bookmark blogs, journals, and specific articles to enhance my learning and connect me with whatever I may need.

Reference

Siemens, G. (2005, January). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning, Retrieved November 30, 2012, from http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm

"Connectivism"

Another blogsite that belongs to me can be found at http://cms.karenfangman.webnode.com/

Information Processing

Week 2 Optional resource list from Walden University was a very informative web article.

• • Web Article: Orey, M. (2001). Information processing. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved fromhttp://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Information_processing

3 Blogs You Should Follow:

 Searching for useful information that is simple to use and easily navigated is not always an easy task. As a Secondary Health Science Teacher, I am continually searching for tools, resources and information that would be useful in the classroom setting. The following Blogs were interesting to me and hopefully you will find useful as well.

blog.netvibes.com/ This Blog is easy to navigate, offers much information on dashboards, widgets and other tools. Netvibes is a wonderful tool and I have been using it for almost a year and I find that it really is a time saver by allowing me to keep all of my online favorites in one place for easy reference and reading. 

hsteproject.blogspot.com/ The HSTEproject is a must see for any educator interested in online learing. John Peters was my mentor and has done a wonderful job creating an online learning system for our school district. Students create websites, wikispaces, use Web 2 tools, and actually log on to the HSTE Project to improve information. Please feel free to explore and navigate this blog as well as sign in as a guest to view all that we are doing in our health science technology program.

healthsciencetechnology.wikispaces.com/Joining+The+HSTE+Project+on+Wikispaces The HSTE project was launched in 2008 and is an ongoing learning system.  The HSTE Project is a Project Based Learning experience for all students enrolled in Health Science Technology Education classes at Hereford High School. The HSTE Project was started during the 2008 school year.  The HSTE Project concept is to actively engage students in their particular course of study of Health Science Technology Education using Project Based Learning precepts of working together and collaborating in order to produce the desired outcome, real, measurable learning that directly results from the use of the technology to answer to a question, series of questions, or a concept by obtaining expert advise from practicing health care professionals.  Students collaborate here in in The HSTE Project Wikispace and The HSTE Project Ning Secure Educational Network.  The HSTE Project will challenge students and attempt to tap into their innovation and creativity by allowing them to take an active part in the development of this project. If we took a look at the ITSE's Educational Technology Standards for Students published in 2007 we see a basic framework for what the HSTE Project will attempt to accomplish during the course of the year with respect to integrating technology along with the study of Health Science Technology Education in the classroom.