The 5 learning theories!

I’ve spent the last seven weeks studying the 5 different learning theories and often trying to put myself in the role of learner to see where I fit. I am a concrete thinker and learn through concrete experience and evaluating the whats/hows/whens of experiences. I see myself falling into the category of Cognitive learning.  I find that I pull from my past experiences and everyday situations. I enjoy actively participating in the learning environment. Understanding the experience is the most crucial element in my learning.

Technology is essential in my ideal learning environment.  For a cognitive learner, technology can be used to create advanced organizational systems such as academic planners and to-do lists. Technology is also helpful in creating online learning environments that are conducive to cognitive learning.

How do you learn best? What theory best suits you?

Online Learning! Challenges, hindrances or is it changing the way we think?

In today’s world, instructional designers often are tasked with creating online learning materials. COVID-19 changed the face of online learning and forced institutions out of their comfort zones.  Institutions and schools that hadn’t incorporated online learning were suddenly forced to.  Below, there are two journal articles regarding online learning. Included is an abstract of each piece.  These articles bring up essential thoughts to consider.  What are the challenges and hindrances of online learning? Is online learning changing the way we think?

Online Learning: Challenges and Solutions for Learners and Teachers – Utpala Das, 2023 (sagepub.com)

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an expansion and increased demand for online teaching and learning across the globe. Online education and learning are attracting many students for enhanced learning experiences. However, many challenges and hindrances could be solved in smooth learning. The impediments in the learning process are suppressing the advantages that may aid the learners with augmented learning sessions. The article presents some challenges teachers and learners face, supplemented with recommendations to remove them.

Das, U. (2023). Online Learning: Challenges and Solutions for Learners and Teachers. Management and Labour Studies, 48(2), 210-213. https://doi.org/10.1177/0258042X211069501

The “online brain”: how the Internet may be changing our cognition – PMC (nih.gov)

Available evidence indicates that the Internet can produce acute and sustained alterations in each of these areas of cognition, which may be reflected in changes in the brain. However, an emerging priority for future research is to determine the effects of extensive online media usage on cognitive development in youth and examine how this may differ from cognitive outcomes and brain impact of uses of the Internet in older adults. We propose how Internet research could be integrated into broader research settings to study how this unprecedented new facet of society can affect our cognition and the brain across life.

Firth J, Torous J, Stubbs B, Firth JA, Steiner GZ, Smith L, Alvarez-Jimenez M, Gleeson J, Vancampfort D, Armitage CJ, Sarris J. The “online brain”: how the Internet may change our cognition. World Psychiatry. 2019 Jun;18(2):119-129. doi: 10.1002/wps.20617. PMID: 31059635; PMCID: PMC6502424.

Bookmarks for my Instructional Design journey!

Welcome to my first official blog post!

I am a Master’s Instructional Design and Technology student at Walden University. This is my first time to dip my toes in the blogging and instructional design world! This week, I’ve been looking for other IDT-related blogs and resources to assist me on my journey! Below, I have shared the link and a brief description of three blogs I have bookmarked!

Blog | Instructional Design Central (IDC)

Instructional Design Central

Instructional Design Central is owned and founded by Travis Jordan in 2011. Travis created a place where other instructional designers and students could locate industry resources and connect with others in the profession. On the Instructional Design Central blog, you can find articles related to current IDT trends.

Instructional Design Central provides a place to participate in Mirco Courses for instructional designers. Instructional design resources such as templates and a job board can be found when browsing the website.

Instructional Design Central is a streamlined, sleek website that brings cutting-edge technology to the surface.

https://theelearningcoach.com/category/learning/

The eLearning Coach

Connie Malamed hosts the eLearning Coach.  Connie Malamed is an experienced learning design consultant.  She works as a mentor and speaks internationally on the topic. On her blog, she shares strategies and easy-to-use content for your instructional design needs.  Connie also reviews IDT products and shares valuable resources. Connie is an author and has a podcast named after her blog.

Connie’s blog helps find easy-to-use ideas, and it is easy to navigate. In the future, I look forward to digging through her free resources and her beginner course for instructional designers. Also, on her blog, you can find many other on-demand courses and a bookstore.

Learnlets – Clark Quinn’s learnings about learning

Clark Quinn’s Learnings about Learning

Clark Quinn’s Learnings about Learning is a fabulous blog! He shares so much helpful information regarding instructional design! I enjoy the simplicity of his blog. Clark writes down-to-earth conversational blogs chalked full of information.

It’s coming