Personal Learning Theory
- 1. Running head: PERSONAL LEARNING THEORY 1 Personal Learning Theory A Look at How Teachers Teach and Learners Learn Melissa Redding 03/08/2016 Grantham University
- 2. PERSONAL LEARNING THEORY 2 Introduction When we think about learning we think about school or college. Most of us do not analyze how we learn and most of us develop our learning styles early in life. Most teachers use their learning style along with other teaching styles they learned themselves in educational development classes. So I will analyze my teaching style since that is part of my job and my learning style which I have progressively changed over the past few years. I have a passion for learning and teaching. I have a vast knowledge of information that I have gained over the years and I love to give that information out. Teaching and learning for me is like breathing air. Now most papers are not written in first person, however since we are discussing personal learning theory I thought that it would be acceptable for this paper. Our first look is how I learn; it is important to know you’re learning style before you can look at your teaching style. There are three types of learning views as described in our text (1) is absorption (2) is behavioral and (3) constructive. Now most will say that constructive is the most widely used today, and it is even seen in the modern classroom as well as in the workplace. Looking at Learning and Teaching Absorption is what was used in school when I was attending. Absorption was a teacher reading or the student reading the information and maybe some notes and examples on the board. You went home you crammed and then took a test to see what you could remember, and hoped that you retained it for the next years’ harder classes. If you were lucky and the teacher was really good you could retain that information because they made the course interesting, if you had the football coach for English you may not have learned as much as you could have (just from experience). Absorption is important especially for early learners such as grade school,
- 3. PERSONAL LEARNING THEORY 3 memory is important when learning letters and numbers and learning how they work together to create words, sentences, and math problems. As we get older absorption slows down. Maridel Reyes, lifestyle editor at SELF Magazine, Glamour.com and VitalJuice.com states “In your 30s, memory begins to slip as the number of neurons in the brain decreases. It may take longer to learn new things or memorize words or names. This process continues in the decades ahead.” So we develop new ways to learn or we work our brain as much as possible to keep it healthy hence “use it or lose it” mentality. This is when we not only change the way we learn but also how we teach, even if it’s just our children. I work in the Energy field and I have to train customers and associates in major box stores how ENERGY STAR products help to reduce energy costs in the home. This is not an easy task, especially in a fast paced environment. Sometimes the expectations given to us seem impossible. I have learned that people are more willing to listen to what you have to say if you mention reducing the cost of their electric bill. Associates are more willing to listen if you mention sales. I use several different techniques to achieve my goals. For associates I first learn about them and let them get to know me and that way they feel more at ease with the whole situation, associates are very reluctant to talk to someone that just comes in and starts throwing out information. I then use information on my tablet and ask them what their general knowledge is of the subject. I then build on that information for them, to broaden their knowledge base. After the first visit I go back and I quiz them on the information and ask them if they have had the opportunity to use the information that they have learned. I then reinforce it as we go. Most of the time they are more than happy to keep learning and will usually be more receptive to new information. Using more than one teaching style for them to learn is a great way to make sure they retain the information if a customer asks them a question.
- 4. PERSONAL LEARNING THEORY 4 With customers it is a little different, you have to engage them when they are looking at the product. Lighting is a great example of this, due to the recent changes to the lighting industry. I will stand near the lighting section of the store and will wait to see what customers seem out of place or confused about a product. I will approach them as a representative for the power company and ask if they need help choosing a product. I then use the information on the packages to reinforce the information that I teach them. I ask them questions about their knowledge of the product and if they know what LED (light emitting diode) stands for and if they know that changing over to the product can help them reduce their energy bill. It is ideal to find out the knowledge base so that you do not offend or use information that they do not need to know. Most customers are really receptive to a smiling face willing to help and will be more willing to listen and learn. I usually use fun topics to help keep them interested long enough to make sure they understand the information. My Take on Learning Views My view on learning is that you must take many learning styles and try to use what works best. Not everyone can learn the same way. Some people learn better by reading while others require a hands on approach to the way they retain information. “All men by nature desire knowledge” – Aristotle. Our text talks about Architectures and how they build on learning views. Taking those views and learning how to use them and put them in play to help others learn more information is what makes teaching and learning worth the time and effort. If we do not learn how to learn then we will never succeed in retaining and using information. “Humans are evolved learners, and through maturation and experience, certain aspects of learning become seemingly effortless and below the level of consciousness, whereas other aspects become more complex, differentiated, and demand conscious effort (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 1999).”
- 5. PERSONAL LEARNING THEORY 5 References Alexander, P., Schallert, D., & Reynolds, R. (2009, July 1). What Is Learning Anyway? A Topographical Perspective Considered.: EBSCOhost. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=9f930a7a-8cbe-4787-922e- 2eda0150dacc%40sessionmgr112&vid=4&hid=128 Bransford, Brown, & Cocking. (n.d.). How People Learn. Retrieved from http://www.colorado.edu/MCDB/LearningBiology/readings/How-people-learn.pdf Clark, R. C. (2008). Building Expertise: Cognitive Methods for Training and Performance Improvement (Pfeiffer essential resources for training and HR professionals). Pfeiffer. Neebe, D. (2014, April 30). Diana Neebe Research Blog - Diana Neebe. Retrieved from http://www.diananeebe.com/research-into-practice-blog/personal-theory-of-learning- revisited Reyes, M. (2013, December 2). Retrieved from www.canyonranch.com/your-health/health- healing/staying-healthy/brain-fitness/how-your-brain-changes-age