Fitting the Pieces Together

• Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed?

My views about the learning styles have not changed. I still believe that I am a visual/tactile learner. The resources we have been using have bombarded me with a greater knowledge of different learning theories. I see where I fit into the adult learning theory, the way I process new information aligns with how learning occurs. I also see where I could fall into the constructivist theory as well. Online learning has made engagement and participation in discussion much more crucial to my own learning.

• What have you learned about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain your own personal learning preferences?

Most recently I’ve learned that there is a adult learning theory, it never occurred to me that adults learn differently, or that there would be a theory based on how they learn. The premise of this theory is clear, and provides many insightful ideas about factors affecting adult learning. I see many of the factors (work, family, social obligations) in my own learning and was able to choose online learning to provide a balance in my life.

Connectivism is also a new theory for me, which is funny because I chose this to describe my learning most recently in our discussion. I see now that not only do I learn visually and kinesthetically, but I too learn socially. It is through my time with Walden, that this has become most apparent.

• What role does technology play in your learning (i.e., as a way to search for information, to record information, to create, etc.)?

Technology, technology, technology. What would I do without it? I use technology daily for a variety of reasons, and when the internet is down at work or home I see how much I am affected by it. I use technology to search for new ideas, to find answers to questions, to discuss ideas with my co-workers and classmates and to learn about things going on in the world.

Connectivism Reflection

How has your network changed the way you learn?

My network has changed the way I learn because I am able to use it to assist me in solving problems or answering questions. Many times I can go to co-workers, graduate students/instructors, or family to help me with a problem I am having. These people in my network also help me answer questions I have or give me new ideas.  Using my network has allowed me to move away from always coming up with ideas on my own, to borrowing some ideas from others.

Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

The digital tools that I use most frequently to facilitate learning are blogs, web pages, RSS feeds, podcasts, and online discussions. While trying to propel learning for myself I might “google it” and use a web page to help. I could also discuss it with my graduate student peers on online discussion boards. Podcasts are also available to us through Walden, and these assist with learning course material, through a verbal learning method.  Finally the newest method of learning, for me, is blogs and RSS feeds. I use these digital tools to learn about real-life problems other teachers are having, and then also how to solve those problems.  When choosing blogs to add to my RSS feed, I tried to pick according to which blogs would provide me with the most useful ideas and discussions.

How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?

When I have questions to gain new knowledge I use both the people in my network and the digital tools. If I am having trouble teaching first graders the difference between b and d, I might use a variety of methods

1.       Go to their homeroom teacher, ask how she does it, and if it seems to work for this child.

2.       Go to their previous teacher, ask how she does it.

3.       Ask other K and 1^st grade teachers for ideas.

4.       Post a blog about this issue and read through responses.

5.       “Google it”

In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?

My personal learning network supports the central tenets of connectivism. I feel that this is true because “with connectivism there is that emphasis on the social dimensions” (Siemens, Connectivism). A majority of my network is socially dependent, from speaking with family, to reading blogs, I am learning socially.

Siemens, G. (n.d.). Connectivism. Los Angeles: Laureate Education, Inc. Podcast retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com

Connectivism

Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources

We were sent on a quest to find two journal articles based on one of three topics. I chose to search the brain and learning. The first article I found was titled "Connecting Brain Research with Dimensions of Learning". It was written by Mariale M. Hardiman, the principal of Roland Park Elementary/Middle School. She wrote about a technique her school was using to mesh together brain-based learning research and the Dimensions of Learning. Dimensions of Learning is a model this school used to “address the development of higher order thinking skills” (Hardiman, 2001, pg 52). The article was very informative and supported our class textbook. This article explained each dimension and suggested best practices for teachers. Some new information that was pointed out by this article dealt with stress and learning, the notion that stress leads to an impaired memory.

The second article I chose was “Understanding a Brain-Based Approach to Learning and Teaching”. This article was written by Renate Nummela Caine and Geoffrey Caine, an associate professor and executive director of the Center for Research in Integrative Learning/Teaching and a consultant and an adjunct faculty member, respectively. This article addressed 12 principals of brain-based learning, and also provided examples of how to incorporate this into the classroom. This article, like the other, supported our class textbook, and also made the same connection between stress and impaired memory.

Both articles were effective with presenting information and would be good resources to use for research or for use in a classroom.

Caine, R.N., and G. Caine. "Understanding a Brain-Based Approach to Learning and Teaching." Educational Leadership (1990): 66-70. Web. 15 May 2011.

Hardiman, M.M. "Connecting Brain Research with Dimensions of Learning." Educational Leadership (2001): 52-55. Web. 15 May 2011

Blog 1

The abundance of blogs to read is amazing. I’ve never really looked into blogging or even reading blogs, though I have heard about it before. I’ve tried to select three blogs that stood out to me and seemed like they would provide me with new information and the professional development I was craving. The first blog is Sucessful Teaching (http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com). This blog is written by a nationally board certified exceptional needs specialist, who has served on the National Board of Directors for the Council for Exceptional Children for 6 years. The purpose of the blog is to discuss issues within schools, problems within their classroom, and to share information with other educators for successful teaching. Weblogg-ed (http://weblogg-ed.com/) is the second blog I am following. Written by “Learner in Chief” at Connective Learning and the author of  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, this blog is “dedicated to discussions and reflections on the use of Weblogs, wikis, RSS, audio casts and other Read/Write Web related technologies in the K-12 realm, technologies that are transforming classrooms around the world”. Last but not least, Teacher Blog Spot (http://teacherblogspot.com), is written by a teacher in her 8^th year. It is a blog written to share ideas and things learned throughout the author’s career as a K-5 math facilitator.
Each of the blogs will provide me with a new view on various topics. Ferriter explained blogs usefulness. He stated “professional development experiences has left them jaded and stagnant, groaning when given opportunities to learn"(2009). And that blogs are offering a new way for educators to learn and hear new ideas.  Successful Teaching and Weblogg-ed will open up dialogue about many educational issues. Teacher Blog Spot seems like a good blog to read to get advice and tips for a successful classroom.

Ferriter, B. (2009). Learning with blogs and wikis. Educational Leadership, 66(5), 34–38.