Week 3 - Learning Theory

One of our assignments this past week included selecting our top two pics for our Learning Theory Group Assignment. I chose Cognitivism for my first choice and Communities of Practice for my second pick. I chose these two simply because I found I could relate to them. 

Here's a brief description of each:

COGNITIVISM

(Source) Briefly speaking, cognitivism means through interaction and self cognition development to acquire knowledge, and concern what learner know and how to use efficiency way to processing information.

COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE

(Source) Etienne Wenger summarizes Communities of Practice (CoP) as “groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” This learning that takes place is not necessarily intentional. Three components are required in order to be a CoP: (1) the domain, (2) the community, and (3) the practice.

I wonder which theory I'll be assigned to. I almost, intentionally, chose the theory I found the least interesting just to challenge myself. I may still do this... more later.

Graphic Facilitation & Learning Theory

...and now for some musings from Adult as Learner: Class II...

My second class kicked off with a very interesting sidebar conversation with a fellow adult learner (whose name escapes me.) Upon learning of my art background, she suggested that I might make for a wonderful "Graphic Facilitator". 

I had never heard of Graphic Facilitation - so I ran right home and read up on it.

From Wikipedia: "Graphic Facilitation is the use of large scale imagery to lead groups and individuals towards a goal. The method is used in various processes such as meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences. This visual process is conducted by a Graphic Facilitator.

The early field of Graphic Facilitation was named “Explicit Group Memory” by Facilitator Geoff Ball, who “discovered” that a shared picture supported group learning or more importantly – a lasting memory in the group." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_facilitation

There are some great examples on the web of the artwork produced by graphic facilitators, such as this:



Adult as Learner

Last Thursday, February 7th, I embarked on my grad school journey at UMASS Boston. My first class, Adult as Learner, proved to be an engaging course replete with a wonderfully diverse group of students and an energetic instructor. The introductions were enjoyable - long live the adjectives!

I am jubilant about my Adult as Learner team at UMASS - and my future as an Instructional Designer!

These last few days I have immersed myself in my studies, eagerly digesting the chapter work on adult learning theory & models, adult development, and intellectual/cognitive development. I also joined my very first wiki and resurrected this long neglected (but nigh forgotten) blog. Stay tuned - more musings to come!

Way Overdue Update

Wow - it has been over 3 years since my last post and so much in my life as changed! First things first:

This designer was hired on March 5, 2012!

and now...

This designer is in Grad School!

Over the coming weeks I'll be repurposing this blog to chronicle my experiences in the Instructional Design Graduate Program at UMASS Boston. Stay tuned!