EDLD+5368+Instructional+Design

= **Instructional Design ** =

@Week One 5368 - Instructional Design Theories

@Week Two 5368 - Designing Your Course

@Week Three 5368 - Learning Management Systems

@Week Four 5368 - Creating an Online Class

@Week Five 5368 - Reflection

Prior to studying the various theories of learning I completed the pre-inventory analysis worksheet. The results indicated that I agreed with half of the items on the worksheet and disagreed with the other half. After a study of behaviorism, cognitivism, constructionism and humanism learning theories, I took the post-inventory analysis and decided that I agree with each of the items on the worksheet with the exception of one.

The statement that “Students should be graded according to uniform standards of achievement which the teacher sets for the class” is a concept that I disagree can be accomplished by the teacher alone. I feel that there should be a uniform standard for achievement but if the teacher is the one determining the standard, then the standard will vary between teachers and overall student achievement will suffer. When it comes to assessment I would tend to agree with the constructivist learning theory which supports the needs of the learner by using more qualitative assessment strategies rather than quantitative ones. According to Dabbagh, “Assessments should be built on intellectual challenges such as problem-solving, experimental research, discussion, and writing.” (Dabbagh, 2006)

After completing the readings I changed my mind about using rewards and incentives to motivate students. I believe that the methods and theories that we use to educate students will vary depending on their needs and on many other factors, such as their age, their individual learning styles, as well as their prior knowledge base.

 Dabbagh, N. (2006). //The instructional design knowledge base//. Retrieved on April 16, 2010, from []

The results of my teaching style inventory indicated that I prefer rote learning, focus on practical application, and prefer to have students learn through hands-on activities completed collaboratively.I would agree that I do tend to focus on practical application when preparing my lessons and enjoy working with students in an environment which allows them to practice the skills they are learning. Bransford states that “Ideas are best introduced when students see a need or a reason for their use—this helps them see relevant uses of knowledge to make sense of what they are learning.” (Bransford, 2000) In the same article he later states that "From the standpoint of the child, the great waste in school comes from his inability to utilize the experience he gets outside…while on the other hand, he is unable to apply in daily life what he is learning in school." (Bransford, 2000) I would disagree with the results of the inventory which indicated that I prefer rote learning but I do tend to provide step by step instructions for students to use when instructing them in new processes.

Of the students I surveyed, 60% were visual learners, 20% were auditory, and 20% were tactile. Although, I observed that most of the students preferred learning style was only two points above a secondary type of learning style. My personal belief is that every student has a primary and a secondary learning style and so it is important that we vary our teaching methods to ensure that students experience many opportunities to gain new skills in the way that they learn best. My belief coincides with Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning which states that “people learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone”. (Mayer, 2010)

Bransford, J., Brown., & Cocking, R. (Ed.). (2000). //How people learn//. pp. 139 (Chapter 6). Washington DC: National Academy Press. Retrieved on April 15, 2010, at http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9853&page=131#p20000495f9970131001

Learning Theories Knowledge Base (2010, March). At Learning-Theories.com.Retrieved April 15, 2010 from http://www.learning-theories.com