CONNECTIVISM

The Mind Map

Understanding the process of the adult learner in this day and age is complicated. There are so many avenues that influence the adult learner; instructors have to have a vast and diverse amount of knowledge to relate to them. Creativity, knowledge, flexibility and an open mind are some of the qualities that are needed to teach adult learners The instructors have to also be willing to learn from the students too because they all can share their experiences and get other ideas on how to excel in their life as well.

In order to get and keep their attention the course information has to relate to their professional or personal life. There is no one specific way to teach this type of learner but they have to be engage in the course information. They have to be interested in acquiring the knowledge that is offered. The main questions on their mind are “What’s in it for me”  and “How is this information going to benefit me The information that is being taught has to have substance and or relevance to the life that they lead on a personal or professional level.

The mind map displayed shows some of the factors that affect my learning experience. Technology has affected the entire concept of learning, to include how we teach, how we learn and how we communicate. Email, social media, Internet web sites, television blogs and the news, everything is in real time. Each person is exposed to the most up to date information available. I remember back in the day, all of our influence and knowledge came from our family, friends and teachers. All of our communication was face to face but today we are exposed to a whole new world. A challenge would be for us to have developed a mind map in high school and compare it to the mind map of today. Talk about mind blowing!!! 

My Fascination with Learning

For a couple of days, I have been searching for websites/ journals on the following topics:

·         The Brain and Learning

·         Information Processing Theory

·         Problem Solving Methods During the Learning Process

As I researched Problem Solving Methods an interesting learning method was introduced to me. I learned about Problem Based Learning (PBL). PBL is defined as a student centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject  through the experience of  problem solving (Wikipedia). This method/ type of learning began in Ontario, Canada, at one of the medical schools.  This strategy applied to these schools was because medical students had acquired a vast amount of education in the first three years of medical school, but the teaching staff needed to keep the students motivated in learning future material. This method was developed to stimulate their learning process and understand the relevance of learning and applying it to their positions/ roles for the future. Now, I'm not a medical student but I can see how medical school can get quite boring after learning so many words, terms and acronyms. Eventually you want to learn how the past information relates to solving problems and assisting your patients. It is a form of group study where students assess what they know, what info they need and where to obtain new information in hopes to solving a problem.

The website named Study Guides and Strategies seems to be a great source for information where teachers, students, and parents can gather facts to empower all learners. The info is in the form of study guides to assist with PBL and other methods of learning and teaching. Great information!!!

http://www.studygs.net/enews/

While reading the article, "How Does the Brain Learn Best? Smart Studying Strategies", I am convinced that as soon as I am here, I am going to order the book,  “How We Learn: The Surprising Truth about When, Where, and Why It Happens,” author Benedict Carey. His friend, Ingfie Chen gives a great overview of the book and highlights some  different ways of how we learn. He explains how Carey has done extensive research and investigations on learning and memory and has put together his best lessons into a practical guide. The guide a variety of techniques and exercises that can help you learn new information and skills into your long term memory.

 Very exciting and informational article!!

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/08/how-does-the-brain-learn-best-smart-studying-strategies/

New to the Blogging Community

I am very new to the blogging community but since I've researched information for this assignment, I see that I have been missing out on exploring another culture through the internet.  Just surfing this community, I see there are a lot of professional personnel out there that are willing to share their information and experiences to all who are interested. There are no rules so you are free to speak freely, be personable and communicate with others in the same profession as yourself.

 I chose two blogs from the Association for Talent Development (ATD) formerly known as the American Society for Talent and Development (ASTD). One blog is for government learning, I chose that one because I am a current government employee  http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/GovLearning-Blog . The other blog is for learning and development http://www.astd.org/Publications/Blogs/L-and-D-Blog.

ATD is a non-profit association for workplace learning and performance professionals in which any professional  could be a member. You could benefit from having new technologies explained in understandable and clear terms. The membership shares and provides you information related to teaching, learning and development because its intent is to make your job easier.

In my last government position, all training and development employees were automatically given a membership upon hiring. So I am familiar with what the membership has to offer. The information that you learn enhances any current knowledge that you already possess in the training and development field.

Some of the other information ATD features are job listings, resume assistance and writing, access to career coaches and a career center as well. It also teaches you how to affectively use social media and networking sites to further your career. Job searching tactics are constantly changing. Nowadays, all job search information such as job applications and resume reviewing are sent electronically to companies and organizations through the internet. Some temporarily give you access to their intranet to answer the interview questions in writing before they even contact you for a interview in person. This information is essential to everyone in the Instructional Design Field.

The last site I chose was a United States Navy blog. I chose this one because I am currently a Instructional Systems Specialist for the Navy. I chose the Navy blog to stay current on their culture and environment.  It gives you the current  status of the Navy. It also gives up to date information on changes that are about to take place with leadership and policies. It gives you links to Navy Educational websites to include Navy E-learning, Navy Knowledge On-line and the policies and instructions for curriculum development http://www.navy.mil/.