Since the first week’s assignment (01/04/10 to 01/10/10), my views on how I learn have changed. When a thought comes into my mind, I find myself trying to determine the stimulus for that memory. Was it from a verbal cue, or a visual one? What I have discovered through the course readings is that it is not that easy to label yourself or anyone using any one theory or learning style. Of the three learning styles we read about (visual, auditory and tactile/kinesthetic), I identified auditory and visual learning as ways I acquire knowledge. However, depending on when learning is occuring and what is being learned, my style could involve one or all three styles.
The learning theories we discussed included: Behavorism, Cognitive, Constructivist, Social Learning, Connectivism, Adult Learning and Multiple Intelligences. At first, I thought my personal learning preferences leaned more toward “Behaviorism and Cognitivism.” Now that I am more aware of the meaning or thoughts behind the different theories, I feel my preference has components of Cognitivism, Constructivist, Adult Learning and Multiple Intelligences. Cognitivism makes the assumptions that: (1) a person’s memory system organizes information the brain has processed and (2) a person’s prior knowledge is important in current learning. A person’s prior knowledge is also a concept in adult learning and constructivism. I have used previous life and job experiences to solve problems or to construct/build new knowledge. I am in agreement with the fact that there were other environmental factors that have either encouraged or hindered my intelligences’ development. According to Armstrong, (2000) these factors includes: “1) Having access to resources or mentors. 2) Historical-Cultural Factors. 3) Geographic Factors 4) Familial Factors and 5) Situational Factors. Gilbert, Juan & Swanier, Cheryl listed heredity, upbringing and current environmental demands (2008) as influences on learning styles.
Technology has played a big role in my learning. Prior to the internet, I used to spend many hours in a higher learning institution’s library doing research for papers. Now research is done from the comfort of home. On my job, cost effective, accessible ways for the governmental agency to reach the State Agency with updated information, specific regulatory information, manuals, clarifications, etc. includes but is not limited to: (1) telephone audioconferences, (2) Web-based resources and (3) Internet Videoconferencing.
References
Armstrong, T. (2000). MI and Personsl Development. In Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom (2nd ed ed.). Alesandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Gilbert, Juan & Swanier, Cheryl. (2008). Learning Styles: How do they fluctuate? Retrieved from Institute for Learning Styles Journal [vol.1]: http://www.auburn.edu/~witteje/ilsrj/Journal%20Volumes/Fall%202008%20Volume%201%20PDFs/Learning%20Styles%20How%20do%20They%20Fluctuate.pdf
