Education Theories

In your own words, post a substantive response to the Discussion Board questions and comment on Unit 4DB Integrative Design and Evaluation Part II.1 Keith Miller, 2. Loretta Curry; Unit 4 DB Applying Learning Theories Part II. 1 Keith Miller 2. 2. Sandra/Class, Lorenzo/Class Your response should address the DB questions and move the conversation forward. You will be graded on the quality of your postings, including mastery of the concept as well as critical thinking. If asked for your opinion, do not simply state that it is a good or bad idea; elaborate on your reasons and argument. Include enough detail to substantiate your thinking as well as your position on the questions or comments.

Reply Part II
1.EDU604 Unit 4 Part 2
Keith Miller
American InterContinental University Online

Technology has certainly improved and enhanced the learning process. Many years ago to obtain information you either had to have the assets available at home (like you own personal set of encyclopedia) or you would need to travel to a location (the library) to research the information you needed. With today’s technology large amounts of information can be accessed in minutes through the internet. As a result anyone with Internet access and a computer has the endless opportunity to learn new information. These opportunities will also result in a wider gap in the knowledge opposed to those ethnic or economic groups that are deprived of these opportunities.

The assumption that it is harder for an adult to use technologies than it is for a child can be argued true or false. The variables that contribute to this assumption can be focused on physical and cognitive aspects. A child’s attitude and behavior is geared toward learning, Learning is part of their daily life as new things are introduced into their environment. Their natural curiosity to ask questions like “why the sky is blue” is not burdened with responsibilities of work and bills that an adult learner deals with. Adults contend with the concept of information overload while the child will develop and concentrate on information that is interesting to them.

Learning new technology with the aid of internet tools to improve knowledge can be a personal choice. My preference would be Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything in that teachers and learners can benefit from her web site. As an educational technologist her web site provides information, personal learning, and current technology learning steps. Kathy Schrock’s web site contributes to the teacher and learner both benefiting from using and taking advantage of the resources.

Loretta Curry
EDU 604 Unit 4 DB Part 2
American InterContinental University

From the tools you suggested in Part I, which one do you personally use the most and share the benefits to you and your learners? Why is it harder for an adult to use new technologies than it is for a child? Does Internet accessibility widen or narrow the knowledge gap between ethnic or economic groups within our country?

Kidspiration/Inspiration is the tool that I use the most in my classroom. One of the features that I use the most of this tool would be the Venn diagram. The students use the Venn diagram to compare and contrast different vocabulary words. The students can also use the Venn to show the difference between various skills or different sports. Kidspiration helps build conceptual knowledge in math, and improve thinking abilities across the curriculum (Kidspiration-the new, 2015).

It is harder for an adult to use new technology because of how things are perceived at their age and motor control may make it tougher to see a computer screen or even type and use a mouse. There is also the time additional time that it takes to learn a new task and adults may feel like they can use that time to so something else that interests them. Adults are more skeptical about using technology because they feel if they are not already using it they wonder why I should start now. Adults are set in their ways and think they have all the technology they need and it may be a challenge for them (Heaggans, 2012). Children are always ready to learn about or get a new gadget.

According to Scheuerell (2010), today’s generation of learners like connecting with others. The internet offers people of any age with the capability to collaborate with others and answer questions they cannot answer on their own. The internet allows people of all economic and ethnic background an opportunity to connect and have the ability to speak with each from all parts of the world. Communication and collaboration are stimulating for learners utilizing the Internet. Students can have pen pals to associate with peers anywhere on the globe. Learners can communicate with professionals in many fields of study through e-mail. Learners can also connect in real-time over online conferencing.

References:

Heaggans, R. C. (2012). The 60’s Are the New 20’s: Teaching Older Adults Technology. SRATE
Journal, 21(2), 1-8. Retrieved from

http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.cecybrary.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=

EJ990630&site=ehost-live

Kidspiration – the visual way to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts .
(2015). Retrieved from http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration

Scheuerell, S. (2010). Virtual Warrensburg: Using Cooperative Learning and the Internet in the
Social Studies Classroom. Social Studies, 101(5), 194-199.
doi:10.1080/00377990903493861

UDU622 Unit 4 part 2
1. Keith Miller
American InterContinental University

The role of instructional design teachers use to generate discomfort or create an imbalance in equilibrium is for the purpose to generate a change in the learning environment that is better suited for the learning needs of the student. In this sense the instructor uses constructivism to initiate cognitivism within the learner. By creating a learning environment that affects the equilibrium and causes the learner to think about solving problems and formulating new ideas to resolve issues.

This will also provide the instructor with the opportunity to establish common goals and objectives for the learners. By incorporating methods into a learning event that give students a focus area the course design can be developed to include learning events such as group discussions and group projects. During these types of learning students can learn from each other on how to solve problems they have in common.

Educators and teachers can provide scenarios within the course design in which learners are introduced to a situation that will cause cognitive dissonance. By placing students into this situation they are confronted with options they must consider and choose the option that will return them to a time when they were comfortable with their feelings. I believe the audience for selecting scenarios and methods will determine which strategies the instructor will decide on using.

2. Sandra/Class:
How can we predict behavior from attitudes? Can you elaborate on this? Who suggested this?
3. Lorenzo/Class:
We are all, most likely, guilty of effort justificaiton! We place a higher value on what we feel is important in an attempt to convince ourselves that that effort is worthwhile!
What about choice? How would you define choice? Can you share an example?