Fitting the Pieces Together

        At the beginning of my course, learning about multiple learning theories, I believed that I learn best through the combination of cognitive theory and behavioral theory. However, as I had a more profound comprehension of what other learning theories represented, my view has evolved and expanded.

        I still believe that I learn through external factors and cognitive abilities to process information. However, the factors contributing to my learnings are not limited to only those factors presented by cognitive and behavioral theory. I believe I construct my knowledge and make meaning through interactions with others, culture, tools, social networks, and the environment present in the following learning theories: Constructivism, Social Learning, and Connectivism.

        As I process information and gain meaning and develop a deeper understanding of materials, I can store the data to retrieve it, connect with it and transfer the information to a multitude of situations, or use it to extend and expand my current state of knowledge.

        How I develop knowledge is also through the collection of thoughts and ideas of others as it gets shared through various outlets. Like Connectivism and Social Learning Theory, I acquire much information by engaging with technology and connecting with others through multiple networks. As I socialize with individuals throughout my life span, I begin to internalize many others' ideas and thoughts and formulate my views representing my reality. Therefore, my thoughts and opinions are not solemnly my own but rather a collection of data gathered through discussions, reading materials, and my language shared through my culture. I cultivated it to become part of my ideas and thoughts.  

        As an adult, I take steps to be an active learner and develop my self-regulated learning and self-efficacy to obtain knowledge. Through self-efficacy, individuals can view their ability to perform the task and behave to achieve their intended goal (Shea & Bidjerano, 2010). Through metacognition and motivation, I know that I can secede using the strategies that I have learned. Furthermore, I prefer to use discussions and feedback from my peers and instructors to expand my knowledge and use more critical thinking skills. Individuals enrolled in online courses exhibit greater use of critical strategies and are adaptive, and have greater success (Artino, 2008). My self-regulatory belief directs me to engage in deeper discussions with my colleagues, which internalizes a deeper knowledge.   

        Technology plays a significant role in how I acquire knowledge and everything that I do. I rely heavily upon the resources every day, from my personal life to my professional endeavors. Through technology, I can connect with others and learn through their experiences. I can create mind maps to organize my learning process or collaborate with others on a group project. I can also create a Blog of how I navigate this new Instructional Design realm or create a website for future employers to showcase my broad range of skills that I have acquired through my learning adventure. The use of technology is never-ending and bountiful.  It continues to evolve daily, and it is through my engagement with it and my connection with others, I can continue to adapt and grow.     

 

Reference:

Artino, A.R. (2008). Promoting Academic Motivation and Self-regulation: practical guidelines for online instructors. TechTrends, 52(3), 37-45. Doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0153-x

Shea, P., & Bidjerano, T. (2010). Learning Presence: Towards a theory of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and the development of communities of inquiry in online and blended learning environments.  Computers & Education, 55(4), 1721-1731. Doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2010.07.017