I have been provided with a great deal of insight and guidance in understanding how learning theories and strategies enhance the learning process. Understanding the nature of a learner and how they approach tasks. How to build adequate educational platforms that provide and include meaningful goals, positive reinforcement, and learning strategies. Each concept building upon the other and providing information and support on how to access and obtain knowledge. What surprised me the most as I furthered my knowledge on these concepts was understanding the role that each theory played in the process of learning and its impact on transforming and creating curriculum. Concepts such as constructivism, behaviorism, and connectivism are simply tools that provided insight to achieve instructional goals and nurture effective learners. These developments provide engagement, strategies, and principles so that learners may be motivated and inspired to engage in a deeper learning experience.
However, the further I explored each new concept the more apparent it appeared to me that each learner is complex and unique. And while each theory or model represents a portion of how they learn, understand, and process information no one model can properly account for the vast spectrum that is learning. For as learners we learn from various sources and networks either enabled by the environment, our social encounters, or the technology we use. Each of which cultivates successful learning by consistency of implementations, creations, and community.
Conclusion
Throughout this course, I have studied a great deal on theories, styles, and processes of learning. And what I have taken away is that “learning” is not one thing but multi-facetted and offers many schools of thought that can broaden, stimulate or reinforce understanding and learning. (Kerr, 2007) And as I broaden my knowledge in the field of Instructional Design I will know that every learner is unique and requires an equally unique and dynamic set of talents, behaviors, and systems to operate and succeed. Whilst taking the best from each philosophy and using it wisely to create solid educational experiences for our learners. (Kerr, 2007)
And as I continue this journey my hopes are that I help provide a positive and learning culture that inspires innovation and change in both myself and others.
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References
Kerr, B. (2007). _isms as filter, not blinker. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html.
A Learning platform 