EDUC 8845 Module 1: WALDEN BLOG!

What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?

People learn best by the way they spend their free time.   Learning styles are important in determining the way in which one learns best.  For example, if a person enjoys listening to music during their free time; they are most likely auditory learners.  There are several learning style tests that assist in discovering which one works best for an individual.  In educational technology, learning theory is a necessity because the digital generation is exposed to more styles than previous generations. For educational technology to be successful and to be competetive with brick and mortar classrooms, learning theory must be studied, applied, then analyzed and evaluated. 

What are the critical elements of a learning theory? Did Driscoll and Siemens miss any key questions or criteria? Provide a thoughtful critique of their discussion of learning theory.  

Critical elements of a learning theory includes: observation, analysis,  interpretation, interaction, and evaluation. Driscoll and Siemens were thorough in the discussion; however, Siemens provided a more in depth depiction by questioning the role of memory as well as how learning actually occurs. 


Critique Siemens’s “metaphors of educators.” Which of these metaphors best describes the role you believe an instructor should take in a digital classroom or workplace? Is there a better metaphor to reflect your view of the role of instructors?

As a digital classroom instructor a teacher should take on the consierge role.  The student enters the virtual classroom  which is enormous and  seeks out the most rapid way to find help. The consierge/ instructor gives them directions at any time and leads them along the way.  Facilitator is the way I have envisioned the instructor of digital classes; however, being ground in theory is the only way facilitation in an online classroom will work.