Fitting the Pieces Together

My views on how I learn have not changed much since studying the different learning theories and styles. What has happened is, studying the theories and styles have solidified my thinking that I can learn in different ways, I have always thought I learned different tasks differently and sometimes I combine learning styles.  After watching the videos entitled Learning Styles Don't Exist I am of the opinion that these learning styles are about our preferences and the ways we prefer to be instructed. 

After learning about the characteristics of adult learning I can fully identify with the five assumptions of the andragogy theory. The first assumption refers to adult learners’ independent self concept and ability to direct their own learning (Knowles, 1989 as cited in Cercone, 2008). When comparing my current learning with the past I realize that I am more self directed and goal oriented than before. The second assumption states that an adult accumulates a growing reservoir of experience, which is a rich resource for learning (Merriam & Caffarella, 1999 as cited in Cercone, 2008). The experience that I brought to this course makes the material a lot easier to grasp and understand. The third assumption states that the readiness of an adult to learn is closely related to the developmental task of his or her social role (Merriam & Caffarella, 1999 as cited in Cercone, 2008). The knowledge that I am gaining will help me with my current and future goals. The fourth assumption states that there is a change in time perspective as people mature, from future application of knowledge to immediacy of application (Merriam & Caffarella, 1999 as cited in Cercone, 2008). The knowledge that I have gained in this course can be put to immediate use in my current job (Merriam & Caffarella, 1999 as cited in Cercone, 2008).  The fifth assumption states that adults are motivated to learn by internal factors rather than external ones. My motivation for studying is to get my masters before my fiftieth birthday. The adult learning theory is the theory that best explains my personal learning preference.  

Technology plays a huge role in my every day learning. A day in my life with technology go something like this, I wake up to the alarm on my phone going off. It rings every thirty minutes until I leave the house. On my way to work from my phone I check my email which is sometimes filled with to dos for the day. I have been given the task of writing a proposal, I have never written a proposal before so I turn to Google to find out how to write a proposal and get some samples. While writing the proposal I need to get the meaning or spelling of a word it’s off to Google again this time finding a dictionary online. I check in to Walden’s classes to see what I have missed or to down load the readings for the week. I check the blogs and groups I am apart off to see what’s new with technology, elearning or instructional design.  We got a new video camera and I have to learn how to use it in order to do a training course for my colleagues in the office off to YouTube for a tutorial in using the new video camera. I use the internet a lot during my day because it’s the easiest way to access information that I need on the go. After doing my mind map I came to the realization that I have a vast learning network to rely on.

References

Cercone, K. (2008). Characteristics of adult learners with implications for online learning design. AACE Journal, 16(2), 137–159. Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Reader.ViewAbstract&paper_id=24286

Willingham, D. (2008) Learning Styles Don’t Exist. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIv9rz2NTUk

Willingham, D. (2008) Learning Styles Don’t Exist. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKkHiAA3xu0&feature=watch_response