eJournal Entry 7

When I first began this class I thought, “Oh no, not all the learning theories again”. I had such a difficult time separating them in ETEC 561.  In the beginning I saw myself as more of a of a Positivist, this seem to fit with the science background I had. However know I think of myself leaning more toward the cognitivist theory in my instructional design. This gives the learner a chance to “think”. It fits better with the constructivist activities I think students are more engaged in and  learn better using.

Probably the biggest I used to think moment came when we were asked to read the chapter “Unpacking Thinking” from the book Beyond Bloom by Ritchhart, Morrison and Church. Up until that point I used to think of understanding as being on the lower level of Bloom’s Taxonomy, but after that article, now I think understanding took on a whole new meaning. Understanding, the ability to act and think flexibly with what one knows” from the Teaching for Learning website. The definition really is a better fit for word.   I don’t think I will ever use the word again as a lower level skill, I will expect more of my learners when that word is used in a description.

I have a difficult time understanding the different theories or the different communication models by themselves  but when you asked to look at each and find flaws in them I then understood  better and why each one had a particular design.  I love the little stories into the background of each. From what I saw each had a particular purpose at the time.

I have really enjoyed this class and the discussions. I don’t think I have ever looked up so many theories and words I didn’t quite understand in my life. I have learned quite a bit and I understand why we discussed so many different topics which at first I had trouble understanding how they would all fit together. Now I think I understand.  And I use that in the sense that of “ability to act and think flexibly”.