Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Module 1 Blog Topic

Individuals perceive and process information in very different ways. It is my belief that people have a learning preference which aids them in learning. According to Dunn and Dunn and their development of the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model, there are four groups of variables related to a learner’s preference; environmental emotional, sociological, physiological and psychological (Morrison & Lowther, 2005). Some individuals have a preference in the type of environment that helps them learn and process information. Individuals also have a preference in whether they are going to be emotionally connected to learning and be motivated or unmotivated. I do not consider the physiological variable is a preference for learning best, but a way of learning that people develop during the early stages of the learning process. Some learners become visual learners over time, (learning by seeing), some learners become auditory learners, (learning by listening), and some learners become kinesthetic learners, (learning by doing).

Learning theory plays a significant role in educational technology. Knowing and understanding our learning styles can help us learn more effectively including learning and using technological innovations. In relation to a learners preference in whether they are going to be emotionally connected and be motivated to learn, educational technology can help spark the motivation to learn. When students use a computer to help solve a problem, their motivation and engagement can increase (Morrison & Lowther, 2005). The initial motivation may come because using a computer is something new or novel. Educational technology allows for information to be perceive, processes and organized which are three factors associated with the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model.

References

Morrison, G. R., & Lowther, D. L. (2005). Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc.

I was introduced to the Dunn and Dunn Learning Theory while enrolled in a Master's Degree course and I do not know how familiar my peers are with the theory. Below are links and more useful resources about the Dunn and Dunn Learning Theory.



http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/863/884633/Volume_medialib/dunn.pdf (*excellent)

http://www.ethica.dk/doc_uflash/The%20Dunn%20and%20Dunn%20Learning%20Style%20Model%20of%20Instruction.htm>

http://leading4learning.com/Book_Chapter_-_Teaching_Styles.pdf
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2 comments:

  1. AmyJune 19, 2010 at 7:27 AM

    Kimberly

    I agree that motivation is one of the biggest factors in determining if students learn. Therefore, we must use learning theories to incorporate activities that will spark curiosity and motivate students to learn According to Driscoll, “teachers can guide students toward understanding, but in the end, students themselves must experience the insight required for develop lasting knowledge” (2005, p. 22).

    As you mentioned, knowing and understanding our learning styles can help us learn more and incorporate technology more effectively. I think the blog comments of Jason Mariasis are worth investigating. He believes that studying how the millennium generation thinks will help teachers develop better instruction and aid in the understanding of student learning styles and academic needs. With information everywhere, we must transform how we learn, communicate, and teach. We are no longer depending on the knowledge of one expert confined to classroom walls (Siemens, 2008). The opportunities to learn, communicate, and collaborate with others is endless.

    Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

    Mariasis, J. (2010, June 16). EdLab at Teachers College, Columbia University. Retrieved from http://edlab.tc.columbia.edu/index.php?q=node/4465

    Siemens, G. (2008, January 27). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf

    Amy Cravey

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  2. AnonymousJune 21, 2010 at 4:57 PM

    Hi Kimberly,

    Your explanation of how learners develop during the learning process is excellent. I have found that learners seem to excel in learning by doing. Personally, I learn best by doing. I think that actually doing something reinforces learning and makes it easier to recall.

    Brenda Rutherford

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