Putting the pieces together

My view on how i learn has not changed but my readings have enlightened my thought process on all of the different learning aspects and how the brain works.  Also focusing a lot on technology helps as well considering the times we are living in.  This is the technology error.  My learning style is more intellectual and somatic.  I learn best by reading and re reading over information so that it sticks in my brain to have a better understanding and also extra detail.  Hands on after reading also allows my brain to connect what i have read in live form.  It allows me to test what i have read in a visual since as well.  Technology plays a large role in my learning and also helping others learn as well.  Today everything is becoming paperless to help the environment and we are working online and with online applications more frequently.  when learning and when teaching i have to create applications and information online to assist me and also others with grasping the material that is being presented.  befroe i train material i have to train and teach my self the information, and after i do this if material does not currently exist online i must create my own.  The material must be creative, be detailed, and cover all expected material for the course.

Connectivism

My connections facilitate learning by allowing me to research and read material i am questioning or topics i am curious about.  Face book allows me to be a little more social in life and also learn from other individuals with personal information and also business.  Face book houses all of my friends in many different states and they all come from different backgrounds, cultures, and live different lifestyles.  I read whats going on their lives constantly and learn from their life experiences.  I also have a small business and many others i know also have a business page on face book as well.  By viewing their pages and information it shows me different aspects of how i can present certain information as well.  Google allows me to access Walden University, You Tube, and miscellaneous sources.  Google allows me to pull many topics that i question and i am able to read about the topic and learn plenty of new information.  You Tube allows me to search for videos that will give me a visual along with speaking to walk me through a process of how to complete a task, create something, or fix something.  Walden University allows me to learn from the resources the Instructor presents and also my classmates per the topics we are discussing.  Kindle is very useful because i can access many books that can educate me when i read them, and blogs are similar to face book and allows me to learn from communication and others posts that are listed.  All of the tools work best for me in different ways.  When i have new questions all of these allows me to ask by typing to an individual or pull up the question for research. 

The Brain and Learning

The brain is a magnificent tool. The brain controls many body functions and it also controls how we learn and pick up on information. I myself learn in many different ways, but they main way I pick up information is by reading and hands on, and real life association to a topic. The brain also is in charge of memory. When you think of different scenarios, think about how you remembered the situation or encounter. "For example, if you meet someone at a social function who has the same name as your mother, you don't have to repeat the name to keep it in working memory. All you have to do is make the association." That is an automatic memory process for me, but I can never remember names of individuals I have only had a few encounters with. What are things you remember and also things you commonly and frequently forget? There are many memory types but we will look at a few. Procedural memory is the ability to recall how to do something, especially a physical task like ride a bike. Semantic memory contains the facts and generalized information that we know; and problem-solving skills and learning strategies. (Voss & Wiley, 1995). Episodic memory is mental movie of things we have seen or heard. When you remember what you had for breakfast this morning or what happened at your 12th birthday party, you are recalling information stored in your long-term episodic memory. (Slavin, 1997). When learning my brain does not focus just on the word s hear, it also needs a visual of the words that I read on my own to observe, the hands on practice on the topic, and also real life scenarios to relate the material to life experiences. As for my memory I remember only certain things in life. I cannot remember parts of life if there was tremendous stress, I can never remember names, but I can remember the good times, and stressful times that may not be too intense. As we talk and post later we will get into the different parts of the brain, the purpose of the parts, and how they work for all individuals.

sources:

https://www.acteonline.org/uploadedFiles/Publications_and_Online_Media/files/files-techniques-2008/Research-Report-September-2008.pdf

http://sc-boces.org/english/IMC/Focus/Memory_strategies2.pdf

Creativity in Instructional Design

There are many different types of Instructional designers and in many cases Instructional designers develop learning curriculum for courses the designer will define development areas, create special projects, and provide leadership/project management. An Instructional designer has the responsibility of creating learning material that is easy to understand. The designer has to display some type of creative form and display different learning styles in their material. A designer wants to know and be aware of how to engage their users when they build material or websites.  Designers pay attention to thing that is not ordinary to most. When creating material they must grasp the audience attention with creative words, designs, pictures, web designs, pictures, and story lines. There are many creative and informative blogs out there discussing designer’s creativity in their roles. For example, designers can view Connie’s great blog post on evidence-based practice for improving creativity: http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning_design/improve-creativity/.

Designers start by being aware of many different learning styles and theories. Knowledge of the different learning styles and theories will assist with ideas and styles of implementing material. When you read a module that should be teaching you information or a step process, what do you look for to keep your attention? When reviewing web based learning material what do you think should be implemented to grasp your attention and assist you in retaining the information? These are things we need to know to be successful in our creativity and design. Designers must also be aware of the changing times, and the changes in technology. As time passes things change, technology changes, individual’s expectations of learning changes. We need to keep up with the technology & tools to be able to keep up with success.