Learning Comes At All Times

I started this blog during my first course in my Certification for Instructional Design. I don't know if anyone really follows what I post, but it is amazing that 2 months later, I find that I just want to share everything that I find and I feel that blogging may be the best way. I have to say, this comes to me as a surprise...I never expected to like blogging, or feel the "need" to blog but alas here I am.

I am in my second course of Instructional Design and I find myself very heavily relying on change management in many of my analysis and deliverables. I am wondering how many other people out there are looking at change management as such a close partner in ID work? I can't seem to find the line that actually separates these two no matter how hard I try. Change management...something to consider as an alli to ID work...this will be explored more. 

Learning Network

LearningTown is a network for training professionals that Elliott Masie hosts. There are some amazing forums and groups on here for anyone in the training field.

http://learningtown.ning.com/

Engage Your Audience With Mobile Learning

Here is a podcast that is able to be downloaded on mobile learning.

http://talent.sumtotalsystems.com/Mobile-Leanring-Podcast.html?source=EMAIL_POD_TM_Mob-Lrng_04-11&pi=LM%20-%20LMS&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonsqTJZKXonjHpfsX56uslX6OylMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4IT8Z0dvycMRAVFZl5nR9NF%2FSaaIFM6exOH0S%2FSw%3D%3D

Description: On a planet with around 6.8 billion people, we're likely to see 5 billion cell phone subscriptions by the end of 2011. Even during times of economic challenge, the demand for communication services continues to grow. The popularity of using mobile devices to enable business solutions intersects with flexible learning applications. Ambient Insight’s US Market for Mobile Learning Product and Services 2008-2013 Forecast and Analysis reported the demand for mobile learning services is growing at 36.2%. 
In this podcast, you will learn:

• The importance of repetition and relevancy to mobile learning
• How organizations are leveraging mobile trends to reach internal and external audiences
• Where to find resources to answer your mobile learning questions
• Best practices for organizing your mobile learning strategy to move forward

8 Weeks Reflection

Reflection

As I look back over the last seven weeks of this course on Learning Theories and Instruction, I can’t belive how much I have learned and how much I have grown both personally and professionally. In the last few weeks, I have had other trainers and designers from my job comment on the changes that they have seen in me and in my work. Personally, I have been able to network with other professionals that are also in the field of instructional design, and their experiences and feedback have given me so many ideas and insights. I have been able to use many of the learning theories to understand my own learning quest, and being able to understand how I learn has really provided me a stronger foundation. Professionally, which has been the main motivation for gaining this degree, I have grown leaps and bounds in learning about how adults learn and how that influences my designing of instruction.

I was very surprised to learn that there are so many theories for how adults learn. There is very solid research on what happens in the adult brain when presented with stimulus, and how the brain physically reacts. These various theories present the internal factors of adult learning that can’t be tracked with a machine or computer. Each theory presents very interesting and totally valid points of view on how adults learn, and how courses and instruction should be structured to be the most effective. It is surprising that these theories can be so different and all still be focused on how adults learn. It makes it very difficult as an instructional designer to wade through these theories to find one that you can take and apply to yourself and your design. After doing the research on various theories I have come to my own hybrid of cognitivism and constructivism. But I have also learned to keep an open mind and look at these theories for what they are and what they can contribute to my work.

Through this course, learning about how adults learn, I have been able to identify so many of these in myself. I was able to take what I learned and apply it directly to my own learning as I am completing this program. As a designer, I am in a unique perspective, as right now I am experiencing as the learner, and able to look through a learners “eyes”. This greatly enhances what I have been learning from this course because I can relate now to both sides – the designer and the learner.  I have learned that motivation is the keystone to adult learning as well. You can have all of the learning theories, and learning styles in the world accounted for, but in the learner is not motivated to learn, none of those things matter. Seeing how important motivation is to effective learning has been one of the major lessons for me that I am really  taking forward and looking at in all of my designs. As a designer I must enhance and continue to build the motivation throughout the course to keep the learner engaged. This is something that I didn’t realize until taking this course, and I believe has forever changed my perspective on how I design and market learning courses.

This course has been just amazing! I can’t belive that 8 weeks went by so quickly! I have truly enjoyed the discussion topics, and discussions with the other students, and I was also introduced to Blogging (which I have never done before). What an amazing tool for networking in the instructional design community! The information and personal growth that I will take away from this course is priceless.

Narration in E-Learning

I found this article and had to share. This is a great article about narration in e-learning and some research that was done on it. If you do any time of online learning design, this is a definite must-read!

http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/666/how-much-narration-in-elearning-our-lessons-learned

Metrics Are A Must!

In my current role as an instructional designer finding metrics around my work has been - a challenge - to put it lightly. I have found some great resources that I wanted to share around ID Metrics. Happy Reading!!


http://boggse-learningchronicle.typepad.com/the_online_training_conte/2006/08/beyond_instruct.html
Introduction:......."In this paper the argument is proposed that even with the strong foundation of knowledge that informs the appropriate ways to use technology for teaching and learning, too often that knowledge has been misunderstood or misused or ignored.......that it was time to put the simple digitisation of materials behind us and focus on the active, engaging learning opportunities that effectively put the learning back into e-learning to take advantage of collaborative tools, learning communities and mediated conversation for new millennial learners. More importantly the statement that we are beyond delivery also suggests that it is time to embrace change and reflect on new ways to conceptualise the design of online learning environments."

http://community.astd.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7301062/m/66610958/p/
Suggested resource: Instructional Design Competencies: The Standards by Richey-Fields-Foxon. Published by IBSTPI (International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction). This book includes the required competencies and how to recognize them. This group also published Instructor Competencies, which follows a similar framework.

My Own Learning

Seven short weeks ago I started taking a course on Learning Theory. We have researched various theories in these last weeks including; Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, Social Learning, Connectivism, and Adult Learning. When I first started this course, I saw myself as identifying with a hybrid of Cognitivism and Constructivism. These theories support learning through the learner having a very learner interactive experience where they are able to create meaning and use their own experiences.  Now that I have looked at various other theories, do I still hold to this hybrid theory?

Connectivism and it’s approach to utilizing networks for concepts in rapid change, and needing this continuous flow of knowledge is a very strong argument that I feel is more than valid. However I don’t see this as a theory in and of itself that an instructional designer could solely base learning on. I think that Connectivism is something that designers must keep in mind as a tool to help learners, because face it, in today’s technology world – information is changing faster than we can teach it. Connectivism gives a path for a learner to continue their learning rather informally, but doesn’t provide a foundation for that learning.  I personally have a very strong network to keep information coming in from all different points of view and experience, but through the Connectivism theory, I still find myself identifying with my hybrid Con-Cogism.  I find this same approach when looking a the other learning theories as well, this hybrid theory I feel provides a very strong foundation to designing effective learning that will give learners the best chance at an effective learning experience.

My own learning is very tied to this Con-Cogism learning theory, and using technology is a very effective way to facilitate this learning. Theory gives us the foundation of the effective learning, technology gives learners the tools to build and continue that learning. Technology gives the learner a method to take learning on the road through the use of mobiles such as the iPad and iPhone. Learners are also able to create learning through online research and networks, which would not have been possible before technology.  There are also online storage systems that we can use to store all of the information and share with other’s in the field. Technology has become a common in the classroom as a pencil used to be, the nature of learning has evolved to this technology state. Designers must be technologically savvy to build learning sessions that incorporate the technology that is so valuable in our world today.

"Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand." Confucius, circa 450 BC .

Connecting Connections

Mind mapping is a very effective way to look at networks and the important connections of those connections. Recently I mapped my connections and I quickly realized that my map could potentially never end. My connections and networks create not only a support system but also a learning network! I just scratched the surface of my network connections and my personal and professional connections intersect in many places.

These networks keep challenging me to learn more and more because I see what other people are questioning which many times are concepts that I would like to more about. So these other people from around the world are keeping me interested in researching and drawing on my own experience to not only expand my own knowledge but also respond to them and expand their knowledge. In the same way, these potentially thousands of people will respond to my questions based on their own research and experience. This supports the foundations of the connectivism theory because I am able to tap into this network and gain a wealth of information that I would not otherwise know.

Connectivism presents that learning is created in social environments. The question that comes to mind is where is learning actually occuring? Is learning occuring imply because of the connections, or is learning occuring due to my own experiences and ambition. It seems that they may be co-dependent.....without the connections, where would I gain the "learning spark" to use my amition on...or without the ambition, would I ever use these connections to learn anything? It seems that when looking at adult learning theory, there are as many connections there, as there are in looking at my own learning networks.

Through the connections listed in my mind map below, there are many details extending beyond what is listed. In an effort to keep my map "readable" I stopped at the 3rd tier of connection. Beyond the 3rd tier, there are people and online tools that have come out from my connections. These are priceless tools that I may have never come across if it wasn't for my connections. One example of that is Research.ly....an amazing real time tool to search all of the social postings for specific words....you are able to find real time information on what people are talking about. I found this tool through a professional network, through a training session on Captivate, the instructor showed us this tool. It is amazing really taking a deep look into what our connections and networks really give us. Don't take any connection for granted and contribute as much as possible, you never know who you are helping!

If you are interested in creating your own mind map, check out this site - https://bubbl.us/

~Learn Something New Every Day~

The saying that we learn something new every day is one that I have heard my whole life. But what does that really mean? Do we really learn something new every day.....is learning something new every day solely dependent on the person looking for that learning experience? The more I think about social learning, the more I am intrigued to find out these answers.

I think that with the online environment we have more chances to create a social learning atmosphere that is beyond what has ever been possible in the past. We are able to search a word and within seconds find blogs from other people asking the same questions. I found this blog which is where I got this great cartoon on social learning...http://idreflections.blogspot.com/2009/05/social-learning-begins-where-google.html

The question then becomes, can the same type of social learning that is generally happening in a classroom, still happen in an online classroom. From my experience I believe that it can, with some differences but the basics of what is happening in that social environment are the same. Now I must admit that online learning takes more effort on the part of the learner to be involved, but the quality of discussion and interested from the students is far and beyond.

I think that social learning is something that can happen all the time, if we keep our minds open, and see what learning is possible in every situation.



Cognitive Flexibility Learning Theory

I am really struggling with the idea that one learning theory can be used as an effective learning approach when designing adult learning. I have been doing some research on this subject and came across this blog on Cognitive Flexibility Theory. He is presenting (in my mind) a very valid theory that is kicking other theories up a notch. Please look and follow his blog, there is some great information presented here!

Here is some information on the author of the blog Rand Spiro from his blogs About page. "Rand J. Spiro, Ph.D., is a professor of Educational Psychology and Educational Technology at Michigan State University.
Dr. Spiro is the originator of Cognitive Flexibility Theory (along with collaborators Paul Feltovich & Richard Coulson) and its application to innovative approaches to hypermedia design. His research areas include knowledge acquisition in complex domains; hypermedia learning environments; new forms of learning and reading comprehension on the Web; multimedia case-based methods in professional education; biomedical cognition; and constructive processes in comprehension and recall. Much of his research is concerned with determining how learning should proceed so that tendencies toward conceptual oversimplification are counteracted and a wide range of future applications of knowledge are supported. A central focus is the development and testing of theory-based hypermedia learning environments designed to promote cognitive flexibility."


http://postgutenberg.typepad.com/newgutenbergrevolution/

Questions: A Facilitator’s Best Friend! | Langevin - Blog

Here is a very thought provoking post about using questions to build motivation and tap into adult learning.
Questions: A Facilitator’s Best Friend! Langevin - Blog

Our Brain on Learning...

Oh the ways of the brain....will we ever truly understand it? Well I know that I won't ever fully understand it but I can definitely try to understand it enough to help me to create meaningful learning.

I am currently part of a class on Learning Theories and Instruction, and this week we have been talking about the brain and how it processes information. The good news, is that despite what I have heard my whole life, I do use my right brain as well! :D Each side of the brain works together to communicate and form itself around the stimulation that it gets.

So what really is the driver of our own learning experience? Is it our brain process, our learning style, our own motivation, or possibly all three things. I have seen some brilliant people, who when faced with certain challenges, excel at them without much effort, but that same person won't get up and do more than work at a Fast Food restaurant. Is this where motivation becomes the essential piece of their learning puzzle? I on the other hand have an abundance of motivation to learn, but when I sit in a classroom with someone "talking at" me for an hour, I can't retain much more than 10% of what was said. I then have to go and read the content, and find a way to engage my learning style so that I can file away the information - or not - depending on the topic. :D

Here is a great article from the course that I am taking, which speaks to learning and memory. This is gives a very interesting perspective on our long and short term memory. The second link provided is a great online resource for all things brain, and there is a great library with many resources dealing with some of these brain questions.

• Web Article: Orey, M. (2001). Information processing. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Information_processing

• The Brain Connection - http://brainconnection.positscience.com/library/

Learning Theory Resources

Learning theory is a subject that can be easily overlooked. The information that is presented in various research studies, as well as publications on the subject, have been showing me that it is necessary to have a well rounded understandingnof the various theories. I have some fantastic resources on learning theory that I wanted to share to help further the debate and understanding around learning theory.

Theory Into Practice (TIP) database  is a great tool "intended to make learning and instructional theory more accessible to educators. The database contains brief summaries of 50 major theories of learning and instruction. These theories can also be accessed by learning domains and concepts".
Kearsley, G. (March 7, 2011). The Theory Into Practice Database. Retrieved from http://tip.psychology.org/
http://tip.psychology.org/

Blooms Taxonomy is site that is really easy to navigate and gives a great supporting visual as it walks through the forms and levels of learning. It speaks to Behavioural and  Cognitive specifically on the page that I have listed below.
Atherton J S (2011) Learning and Teaching; Bloom's taxonomy [On-line: UK] retrieved 7 March 2011  http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/bloomtax.htm
Read more: Bloom's taxonomy http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/bloomtax.htm#ixzz1Fvt6qII1
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives

eLearning: Where do I start?

Living in this "information technology" age, one would think that all Instructional Design information is easy to find. I have found that many of the most valuable resources are the ones that took me a long time to research and actively seek out, or ones that I stumbled upon. When designing eLearning, the resources you have and the tools used can make a positive difference to the learning experience the users take away. Here are some excellent resources that I have found and use on eLearning and development. If you have any that you would like to share, I welcome them as well!

Adobe Captivate is a tool that I have a lot of experience with personally. It allows for a very high interaction to a no interaction learning experience. This tool provides the flexibility depending on the learning/training needs of the audience that you are designing for. This blog is answering a lot of questions that users have as they are more exposed to designing learning sessions in the Captivate tool. It also covers many of the more advanced functions available, but not all users know about.
http://blogs.adobe.com/captivate/

eLearning Technology dives into some of the hot topics in eLearning development such as Flash, Twitter, and Mobile Learning. We are all on a journey to keep up with the times and the technology and to be able to really successfully utilize each of these as training methods. This blog is a great resource to keep up on these hot topics and really take a look at how we can use and incorporate these into course design.
http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/2010/03/twitter-for-learning-55-great-articles.html

Experienced E-Learning is a blog that really is dedicated to everything that is Instructional Design. It is a very valuable collection of resources and answers many questions that the ID field presents. Christy is the author of this blog and she is very interested in using technology to further instructional design. If you are looking to broaden your own resources and make some connections, this blog give excellent information to help you on your journey.
http://christytucker.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/instructional-design-and-e-learning-blogs/

Welcome to My Blog!

Welcome to my blog! My name is Kristina and I have been working in the learning and development field for around 10 years. I am an Instructional Designer and absolutley love what I do. This blog will be dedicated to the Instructional Design research that I do as well as the resouces that I find. Connecting to the ID network is very important and sharing what we know is a valuable resource that we should not take for granted. Please comment, follow, or email me pertaining to any of my posts. I am here for feedback and looking for new contacts!