Saturday, November 30, 2013

Connectivism

This week's assignment in my EDUC course was to create a mind map of my learning connections using mind mapping software.   I thought, okay new tools, old concept.   I've created mind maps before with paper and pencil and whiteboards using markers.  I had not ever experienced creating one on my PC using software.  I thought it might feel a bit clunky, but it was really a smooth process and in some ways easier due to the icons which are readily available to tag and flag things.   It also allows you to move things around and regroup things much cleaner than with traditional pen and paper.    I used Freemind, but there are other tools out there to utilize.   If you click on it, it should expand. 

Connectivism and My Learning Connections
The various connections shown above are my connections to learning.   These connections date back to my first learning connections as the youngest child in my family to my current day connections at Walden University.  I included past experiences, as I believe the impact these experiences had on shaping my future learning and current networks is important.    My network has expanded my learning.   I have access to hundreds of others who have diverse ideas and thoughts.     Two tools on the map above that have had the most impact on my learning are the RSS feeds and the discussion boards.  I use the RSS feed as a tool to quickly compile information on the latest trends and articles from other blogs on instructional design.   It  makes it convenient and easy to collect data.   Without this tool, and thinking back to pre-internet studies, I would be spending countless hours in a library conducting research.  The discussion boards are extremely enlightening.  The students in my courses have a variety of diverse experience and rich knowledge they bring to the table.   The scholarly conversations we have are deep and give me a benefit of having collective brainpower at my fingertips.  When I have questions,  I like to see what others are doing and reach out to them.     I believe my personal learning network supports the central tenants of connectivism in the following ways.    I am able to transfer knowledge and information obtained from various sources and apply it at work.  In turn, I am able to take my experience and learnings from work and apply it to my schooling.  In doing so, I may share those experiences with classmates in my learning network.   Someone on the other side of the world comments on a discussion board on which I'm participating and in turn that knowledge may affect someone I work with because I may change the way I  approach instruction.  The network allows me to learn from others which in turn shapes my own learning.  

 

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Researching the Brain and Learning


As part of my current EDUC: course, I am researching journals and websites for information on the brain and learning.   One article I came across in the British Journal of Education Technology drew me in because it was a study on the effects of multimedia on problem solving.   It is actually a study on cognitive load, self-efficacy, and multiple rule based problem solving based on Engelkamp’s multimodal theory, but it was the problem solving piece that really intrigued me.  Why?  I have often been challenged to come up with a curriculum that teaches our employees to be better problem solvers.    

In this study, 222 college students participated in either interactive or non-interactive learning groups to solve a multiple rule based problem.  The problem to solve showed a visual diagram of an airport with several gates and several different colored planes that had to be gated but had rules around where each could be gated, for example the red plane can’t be gated at A or C, and can’t be next to the blue plane but can be next to the yellow plane.   

The key difference was that one group had the ability to pick up the different colored planes and physically move them around the diagram.   The group that was able to do this did much better than the group that could not move the pieces around.   The study also showed by surveying the participants that cognitive load was reduced in the first group and their feeling of being successful was increased.  The study concluded that providing learners with this type of ability in multimedia presentations, all of these factors would facilitate their problem solving.  

One thing about the study that sort of bugged me was that neither group was allowed to use pencil or paper to help them figure out the complex problem.    If the second group had pencil and paper, perhaps it would have allowed them to visualize and deduce their answers similar to the group that could move the planes around.   Perhaps not as quickly, but cognitive load would likely be reduced.    This is valuable information for me as an instructional designer.  Creating a simulated model that allows the learners to ‘move’ things around will help them problem solve.

I also came across an article on Huntington’s disease at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) website.  I have never heard of this disease but because the symptoms can show up as impairments to cognitive functions, I wanted to familiarize myself.   What often starts out as changes in handwriting, progresses to affect concentration.  For those affected, intellectual tasks may become increasingly difficult.  Often, it will begin during middle age; however there are cases where it affects individuals before the age of 20.   There can be a rapid decline in school performance.  It is a genetic disease passed on by parent (father) to child.  Sometimes, but not always emotional disturbance and motor movement are affected.  This article was worthwhile reading and reminded me that learners come to us with unique circumstances and brain chemistries.  In our roles as instructors, we have the opportunity to work with individuals and assess their learning.   We should also consider their learning behaviors and help identify unusual changes.  More information can be found on this article and more about Huntington’s disease at.   http://www.ninds.nih.gov
 
References:


National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS) http://www.ninds.nih.gov
Zheng, Matthew McAlack, Barbara Wilmes Patty Kohler-Evans and Jacquee Williamson (2008)  Effects of multimedia on cognitive load, self-efficacy, and multiple rule based problem solving  British Journal of Educational Technology Vol 40 No 5 2009 790–803 doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00859.x




 
By the way,  I also came across an interactive 3D model of the brain on PBS's The Secret Life of the Brain.  It also has some really interesting facts and features you can navigate.    Just click the link.
                                               http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/3d/index.html


 

 

 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Something strange is happening to me.  Now that I am officially back in the role of  'student' I am finding that my perspective is very different in my role as a training consultant.  Although, I'm involved in teaching and training, it's been over 25 years since I've been to school.  I am having to walk in the shoes of the learner again and struggle to figure out things I don't know.   I have to ask questions,  (LOTS of questions!) and I am reminded of  how it must feel to be a new employee in a new world.   This is a great perspective (since I work with new employees) and I am more tuned in to learning and training now that I am learning again!   I don't want you to misunderstand.  It is not that I have been sitting stagnant with my brain collecting dust.   I've taken a few courses, built up my knowledge in various jobs and worked on skill development.   I'm always learning, BUT not to the extent that pursuing this degree in Instructional Design entails.   It is humbling to be back in these shoes and I feel it will benefit my work.  

The other revelation I've had, is I am remembering the excitement of learning something new ...... I am excited by all the new ways to learn!      Blogging, subscribing to other blogs,  online degrees, Wiki's, knowledge sharing, and all of the video and technology tools that go along with our world today just were not around 25 years ago.  

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Welcome to my blog

Hello everyone,   I am starting this blog as part of my journey of learning.  I am studying for my masters in education in instructional design and technology.    I've read some blogs before and used them as a source of information, but I never really considered writing a blog or having my own.   This is a new experience for me. Looking forward to this part of the journey!

My task this week was to take a look around the web and see what types of blogs are out there.    I did a lot of looking and quite frankly, once I got the hang of it I can see how this is addicting.    I limited my review to three blogs as requested by my instructor. They are  Kapp notes, ELearning Provocateur and Learning Snippets.   I've listed a few thoughts on each.
 
Kapp notes - Fusing learning, technology and business.   http://karlkapp.com/kapp-notes/
This blog exposed me to such concepts as gamification, edutainment, and ways to make learning interactive and full of adventure.   I had no idea that their would be so many similarities in learning simulations and game simulations but it completely makes sense.    I also learned a little about the author as he shared his personal experience at an event called DevLearn.   This blog has very useful information and seems to focus on some of the very technical aspects that create an excellent online learning experience for the adult learner.

E-Learning Provocateur - http://ryan2point0.wordpress.com is a blog written by Ryan Tracey an E Learning manager.   His blog is all about corporate elearning.    Here I discovered what a Mooc is.   I also learned about Udemy,  which is a free software that allow you to develop elearning modules.  Both of these terms are brand new for me.   This site is exceptional for finding out what the latest trends are and learning the lingo.   His site is listed as one of the 10 EdTech ELearning Blogs. 

Learning Snippets  http://learningsnippets.wordpress.com
This blog is a diary of what the author is learning about learning.  It is as though a trusted colleague is sharing their journey with the rest of us instructional design students.  The articles take a look at learner motivation and cognitive load.   The author writes several 'showing my work' series where he details what he is learning.   This is something I found extremely helpful.   In one of these excerpts he shares  a process he established for elearning module development.  It outlines the kickoff meeting, to working with the SME's to obtaining feedback and all of the challenges in-between.  This blog is very insightful and useful for tips and processes that I can implement in my corporate work environment.

For me,  all of three of these blogs have very useful and diverse information around the education of adult learners.   I am currently in a role where I have an opportunity to create and develop learning activities and I am very excited to be able to incorporate all of this shared knowledge so quickly.