Strength – Describe the strongest learning experience(s) you had thus far and why it/they were important to you. I would have to say that the strongest learning experience that I’ve had thus far are the technology aspects of what we have learned. As they say, “Who da thunk” that I would be blogging? People at work and home all consider me pretty computer savvy, but let me tell you, after this class, I believe I know better. I am, however, more computer (as far as technology) proficient than I was when I started this module. I can blog now! I can narrate PowerPoint slides. Lookout world! I never realized how easy THE BASICS of these tools are. Mind you, I still have a ways to go, but I’m getting there.
Improvement – Reflect on how you could improve your learning in the future. I think that if I continue to use the learned material, I will become more and more proficient in using these newfound tools. Throughout this module of courses, we have been learning all about the different learning styles and we’ve gone through several exercises to apply them to ourselves and our students. NOW I really know WHY I am HOW I am. It’s been a real eye opener!
My problem is that I start something and don’t finish completely…then start something else and don’t complete it…and so on, so forth. It’s really a vicious cycle. I’ve always had this problem, doing a little bit on a whole bunch of projects. It has always been a trait of mine that simply drives my husband insane! I actually discovered this problem in AEDU 311, but it just hit me that I was following this same old cycle in my class work, too. I have decided that I need to focus on one thing at a time (and complete it), so I’ve decided that I need to work on this. To combat this, I’ve been staying after work to do my homework assignments. This way it’s actually quiet (everyone is gone home), no arguing about my husband blaring the television and distracting me, no animals that want my undivided attention, and no projects “screaming” to be done. I try to do this 2-3 times a week and I actually find myself focusing more on what I’m supposed to be focusing on without all the distractions. That was one of my traits—easily distracted…and it’s so true of my personality. This is something I will continuously work on improving. If I can do it for class work, maybe it will spill over into my personal and professional life…who knows!
JUST A NOTE: My new “test” to focus on one thing at a time and complete it…well, it’s rubbed off a little. I write a monthly article for our Chamber of Commerce which comes out in our local paper. Well, I’m USUSALLY pushed to get it in on time, but this month I set aside specific time to do it and I actually got it in 3 days ahead of schedule. This is very unusual for me (smile). Focus and complete one thing at a time. That’s MY GOAL.
Insight – What new discoveries/understanding did you get in the learning process? How will you apply it to what you are doing in your daily professional or personal life? I always knew how I learned best. I didn’t take the Myers-Briggs Assessment until probably 15 years ago, but I knew what worked best for ME, Shelley—the individual. From this course, I have realized that even though I didn’t know (per say) I was doing it; I was incorporating many different learning styles into my lessons. Like I said, I came from a military background learning environment. THEY didn’t care if they could make learning easier for the students. All they cared about was the numbers. I guess it really all comes with experience--you can spot the students that are struggling and you find ways to make it work—to help them learn.
Now that I am more aware of the types of learning and teaching styles, I will be more aware and will attempt to incorporate some of the other styles into my lessons. I guess, however, it will be student based…whatever they need. Depending on the length of the course, I’m going to do an assessment (making it fun)…so I can get a better insight to the types of learners occupying the seats in my class.
Additionally, I know we are not the experts, but by conducting a very quick learning-style assessment at the beginning of each of our classes would not only benefit each of us, but would also, in the long run, benefit our students. It would also depend on the length of the class. It wouldn’t be conducive to conduct one on a class which was only a day or two long…but for the longer courses, it would. Certainly we could never satisfy each and every student or learning style, but many students would benefit. I feel that it really would be a very valuable tool to use.
In conclusion, this class has taught us to respect our life experiences our different styles that each of us bring to the classroom. In the teaching arena, none of us want to see our students fail and it seems as though each of us will do what we can to make the learning and teaching experience more of a pleasant one for both the student and ourselves. Face it, we each have a wealth of information in which we can draw from and we want to do well.
Furthermore, I have to say that you may have opened “Pandora’s Box” with me blogging, etc. I love technology, and sometimes it takes me a little longer to “master” something, but once “I’ve learned it, look out.” Hey, it can only get easier…RIGHT? J
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