Reflecting on the End

           Has the course draws to a close and I reflect on what I have learned so far,  this course has expound on the theories that I studied in my bachelors degree. The assignments were especially challenging for me because I am not in the classroom therefore the reference point was not there for me, I am not a teacher therefore participation in the discussions we difficult. However the knowledge gained will be very useful has an Instructional designer. In this paper I will elaborate on what I have learned and how I will be using this knowledge.

            The thing I found most surprising in my quest to learn about the theories is that there is a theory for everything. I found it fascinating that persons have done studies on things like motivation and anxiety; that anxiety has two components worry and emotionality (Ormrod, Schunk, & Gredler, 2009, pp.241-249). I was very fascinated by all the theories that we explored in this course.

            I also found the numerous learning styles we discussed fascinating. However my views on how I learn have not changed much since studying the different learning theories and styles. After studying the theories and styles they 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 but my predominant style is visual.  After watching the videos entitled Learning Styles Don't Exist I am now of the opinion that these learning styles are more about my preferences and the ways I prefer to be instructed.

            According to Lim (2004) in the article Engaging Learners in Online Learning Environment “research studies have shown that learner engagement is paramount to learning success” (p. 16);  Lim states that “engagement here is defined as the mobilization of cognitive, affective and motivational strategies for interpretive transaction” (p. 16). Therefore as an instructional designer one as to take into consideration when designing the learning theory that the design should be based on, the different learning styles of learners, the educational technology that will be used and how one will build motivational activities into the course to keep the learner motivated especially in an online environment. Dr. Ormrod stated that it is important that instructional designers know the nature of learners in general but also the nature of specific learners and that different people approach learning in different ways. With that in mind I believe learning theories and styles will help instructional designers to understand how learners approach learning.

            In conclusion by completing this course and learning about the theories and styles of learning. I will take this away from the course “no two learner is the same and no one learning theory or learning style will cover all learners. Therefore as Dr. Ormrod stated it is important in any instructionally designed environment that you as the designer take these differences into consideration. With that in mind I will keep that in the fore front of my instructional design efforts.

Reference

"Learning Styles and Strategies" [Video podcast]. (2012, December 4). [Dr. Jeanne Ormrod]. Retrieved from Laureate Education, Inc.

Lim, C. P. (2004). Engaging learners in online learning environments. TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, 48(4), 16–23.

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson.