Fitting the Pieces Together: Now and Then
Throughout the last seven weeks I have learned more than I have ever known, or thought I would know about learning theories and learning styles. In the beginning of the course, using the background knowledge that I already had and just a week’s worth of reading, I must say I was pretty spot on with how I learn. This does not mean that I knew it all, but I was pretty accurate in what I did know and how it applied to the way I learn. In the first week I stated that I learned best through the learning theories of constructivism and of behaviorism, but was still aware of the possibilities of learning through different theories besides the ones mentioned. I tended and still tend to agree that all learning theories have their merit and I learn in ways that would touch on each of these theories premises.
During the past weeks, I have become more aware of my own personal learning preferences and this is because I have been informed about them in detail and applied the information to meaningful situations and thought. It still holds true that I lean towards the preferences of behaviorism and constructivism, but I have learned that I also favor and agree with the ideas of connectivism and the theory of multiple intelligences. One statement that I read that truly resonated with me was “it is at the intersection of prior knowledge, experience, perception, reality, comprehension, and flexibility that learning occurs” (Davis, Edmunds, & Kelly-Bateman, 2003, p.1) and this holds true in my current experiences.
I connect with the theory of multiple intelligences because I like how broad the theory is. It gives everyone a way to connect to it and feel comfortable with the fact that they have many different areas that they find strength in. It also make a learner feel confident that they are not the only one who is strong in certain intelligences and can make improvements in others. The theory of multiple intelligences provides a “means of mapping the broad range of abilities that humans” (Armstrong, 2000, p.6) possess.
Connectivism is a theory that seems to be unavoidable and is ever so apparent in this day in age. Connectivism according to George Siemens stated that the following are the main principles of connectivism: learning and knowledge rest in diversity of opinions, learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources, learning may reside in non-human appliances, capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known, nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning, ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill, and currency (accurate up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities (Davis, Edmunds, & Kelly-Bateman, 2003, p.3). This learning theory is very applicable to my daily life and my learning preferences that I have always obtained and am gradually containing through this online environment. This learning theory also correlates with the role that technology plays in my learning.
Currently, technology holds the largest roles in my education and learning processes. The majority of my sources of learning take place in an online environment, using all different kinds of technology. I have many different connections, but the majority comes through in the form of technology. Examples would be online databases, blogs, social media, and online videos. Technology allows for a wide variety of knowledge in an unbelievable amount of formats. Technology provides learners with tools to accelerate and enhance their learning while at their own fingertips. Technology can be intimidating, but conquered, while providing learners with anything they need to be successful.
References
Armstrong, T. (2000). Multiple intelligences in the classroom (2nd ed ). Alexandria, VA:
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging
perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from
https://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism”