Learning Theories and Instruction Course Reflection

As this course at Walden U drew to a close and in reflecting on what I have learned which includes how I intend to apply my learning in future courses I can say that I have learned how to logically understand different learning processes within myself as a self-directed adult learner and the learning differences of other learners. I have also learned about how the human brain functions during learning experiences and why learners have different learning styles. For example, learning can occur visually, verbally, audio-related and through hand-on experiences as learners use desktops, laptops and smart phones. Learners also utilize personal experiences and connect those to current ones. This is what arouses interest and motivation to learn. Learning experiences can also transform the individual to become skillful in cognitive and constructivist manners while connecting learning procedural processes. I learned various learning theories: Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Social Learning, Connectivism and Multiple Intelligence. To support the learning of educational theories, I was able to complete a learning theories rubric to support our instruction of multiple theories in education.  I also learned how to create a learning theories rubric to support instruction of multiple theories in education.  Another technology driven project that I learned how to create was a Mind Map to demonstrate how I connected my learning expereinces with Walden U available resources. As a result, I discovered that I learned best cognitively and socially as I built connections to experiential hands – on tasks and/or projects.   I intend to apply my Walden U learning experiences within the Computer Lab course that have taught for the last four years at Boricua College as an Instructor. I also intend to incorporate Microsoft software applications to create and/or develop course specific tasks and projects that will assist adult learners to learn how to problem solve and be creative in their projects. I will introduce email and chatting to engage students and to allow active collaboration with Instructor and fellow class mates. My future learning plan will be constructed as a rubric where learning tools will be implemented to support lesson plans that will include videos and tutorials. I intend to welcome creativity in student coursework to maintain high levels of motivation to learn. Students will continue receiving support and instant feedback as required because student learning needs have to be met. As an Instructor and future instructional designer, I will assure to pay special attention to adult learners who may display behaviors of attrition during different stages of learning processes. I will also implement changes to relatable tasks in the realization that students’ needs should and must be met. I learned about the ARCS model and how it intends to order attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction during the planning and learning phases of students. I will also assure to follow the ARCS Model to guide me in the planning of the Computer Lab curriculum, learning tasks, projects and exercises which will awaken student levels of attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction as they learn software applications in a computer lab learning environment. Since learning in a computer-based environment should be participative where feedback is available within a reasonable timeframe, I intend to incorporate student participation in discussion, email and chatting options to assist students to elevate levels of motivation during their hands-on experiential tasks and projects. In my view, students will continue to learn because their attention will be evident as they complete required tasks and/or projects. Students will also discover the relevance of tasks learned, they will also experience confidence in constructing and connecting to new skills and satisfaction will be experienced as they acknowledge the value of their experiential learning. Furthermore, I have observed that adult learners appreciate being able to be creative as they use their personalized ideas to creatively problem solve constructive issues that may be present while completing tasks or projects. Student will also learn how to collaborate with their peers and with their instructor. Students will have the opportunity to support the learning experiences of their peers and that of themselves. Dr. Ormroad said “Adult learners have an advantage and that is that they “really have a strong need to know” (and how to learn how to use technology). At Walden U, I have learned how to use multiple technology-driven resources to discover relatedness and meaningfulness in my learning experiences. I and my peers have used emails, discussions, Q &A, the student lounge to collaborate with our peers and Professor in a constructive manner to support our coursework learning and to build relationships with peers and with our Professor. We have also learned how to create a blog and have linked learning resources to a RSS feeder. We have learned how to navigate our available resources to continue developing relatable skills as IDT students. We have learned how to differentiate an opinion versus a published article. . I have been motivated to learn since my registration to the Masters Program and I have found that my ability to learn has been constant because of my active engagement during the learning processes of my coursework. John Keller said “when students are motivated to learn, thy want to work on highly task relevant activities” (p. 42). That is why I agree with John Keller as he recommended that computer software can be used to “sense a learner’s motivation level” that will demonstrate how students will respond to their learning as they adapt to the tools within the equipment being used. As a graduate student at Walden U, I have focused on course requirements and deadlines. My confidence has developed as I and my peers have constructed and connected in multiples ways with our projects, discussion and participative engagement. I have also experienced satisfaction when I have been able to reseach and apply relevant data to discussions and projects.  At Walden U, my learning has been constant and I have been able to demonstrate what I have learn through the submittal of completed assignments or projects because I have recognized acquired skills and have understood how to apply them. Consequently, I consider that my levels of motivation to learn has increased because course content has been relevant and meaningful to me as an adult learner.  In the future, as an Instructional Designer, I intend to apply what I have learned in this course to facilitate the learning experiences of future adult learners.