RSS2009 in Review
Dec 20
Opinion, Reviews, Uncategorized, e-Learning 2009, human brain, instructional designers, learning circuits, learning community, learning styles, networking tools, social learing, social networking, year in review 2 Comments
The Learning Circuits’ Big Question for December 2009 is “what did you learn about learning in 2009?”
Wow, what a tough question. Overall, I realized that learning is not what I thought it was. I think that the following five “aha moments” show what I learned about learning this year:
1. I’ll never know all the information I want in a tangible and applicable way even if I stay up 72 hours in a row going through tutorials, using software, asking questions, or reading. I learned that I have limits (nooooo! said the SuperMom) and am better for it. Now I can focus on the stuff that matters.
2. I have doubts about the learning styles veracity. There. I said it. The whole concept of visual, auditory, kinesthetic learning is too pat, too neat to explain the myriad wonders of the human brain, nervous system and how we process information. If you agree/disagree with that statement, feel free to post a comment and let the discussion begin!
3. The attention that my posts on developing an e-portfolio for instructional designers humbled me. It was a topic that, apparently, needed exploration and I am glad that I was able to offer a springboard for others in my field.
4. Social networking is not just for saying “hi” to long-lost college buddies. It is a means to learn in any byte size needed (Twitter, blogging, Digg, Delicious, etc). I learned more about instructional design within the past few months watching tweets come through Twhirl than I had in the previous six months before using Twitter. Social learning is the next step in e-learning (if it isn’t already).
5. Open source, open learning, open everything is something that resonates with me. I have learned more about open source in this past year than I realized after conversing with a colleague. This will most likely be the focus of my dissertation (yes, I began my PhD this year).
Now for my top posts, as determined by number of hits. Since I moved my blog recently to a hosted solution, some of the following links will point back to my original blog (aprilhayman.wordpress.com).
- How To Develop an Instructional Design Portfolio
- TCC 2009: Using Social Networking Tools to Build Learning Communities: A Case Study of the Punahou Technology Lab School Ning
- How to Develop an Instructional Design ePortfolio – Part 2
- How to Develop an Instructional Design ePortfolio – Part 3
- How to Develop an Instructional Design ePortfolio – Part 4
- Chicken and the Egg: Skill or Quality
- Food for Thought: Timothy Ferriss, learning and instructional design
- Open Source and Design Challenges
What I learned most, though, was that the community created, supported, and participated in by educators is second to none. You are a fabulous group of people who have given me food for thought and made me excited to learn from you about what you do, how you do it, and why you do it. I want to thank each you for the selfless giving of your time and energy.
I can’t wait for 2010!
Dec 21, 2009 @ 02:37:05
Gotta agree with you on #2…although I see the “defined” learning styles as a good place to start, nothing ever (especially the human mind) fits into neat labeled packages. Good stuff…it really hasn’t hit me that the year is almost over, so this gave me a lot to think about. Thanks
Dec 21, 2009 @ 04:47:48
Hi Jil! I am a little stunned that the year is over too. As much as I look forward to what 2010 will bring, I am a bit reluctant to let go of 2009. Lots of monumental changes for me professionally and personally.
I think that looking at learning styles in a variety of ways is probably the best bet. I liked how Clark at Learnlets laid out his argument about learning styles. Clive on Learning also has a definite opinion about the non-existence of learning styles. Christy at Experience e-Learning has a great post on learning styles and breaks down the research.
My “epiphany” is not a new one but it will be interesting to see how the ideas of learning styles plays out with social learning and informal learning, not only in K-12 & higher education but in the corporate world as well.
Merry Christmas!
April