Adult leaner become smarter.

Even though online learner is not the same as a classroom, I attempted to create a classroom setting with technology. I enjoy sitting in a classroom setting participating in with students and the teacher. Online learning is flexible for a workaholic like me working as a teacher. The day consists of teaching high school students during the school day and adults in evening school. My primary purpose for enrolling in instructional design is to become a better teacher. As an adult learner, I have changed my learning style in an online format.


I realized using technology could simulate classroom learning in multiple ways. It cannot replace sitting in a classroom of adult learners and an instructor. In a classroom my preferred style of learning is direct instruction. Direct instruction allows speaking, reading and listening for an adult learner in a majority of grad classes. In missing a traditional setting, technology has helped bridge the gap. Today, adult learners can access videos from websites watching presentations about a topic. The information may come from an instructor or a student. This helps to simulate a classroom lecture for my auditory learning style. During the video, I take notes like a did during a lecture.

In reading assignments, I still use techniques learned in high school. I highlighting main ideas and supporting facts occasionally stopping to review the material. After a long day, my mind is scattered and review helps me encode topics. Reading, listening and watching the information helps me encode the information. Using these three intelligences is better than one. I miss speaking with other students in discussion for further clarity. I do this by posting questions or thoughts in a chat section of the class. Online learning is different for everyone. It offers an opportunity for adult learners to continue their education without drastic sacrifices to their lifestyles.

Personal Connectivism

My personal learning network is diverse with students, colleagues, family, friends, classmates using multiple forms of communication. In addition, I incorporate books and notes. Online courses are a challenge with the intensity of reading and writing. All questions and answers require writing. I am becoming more proficient reading and writing. Written communication in all its forms is limited in emotion without adjectives. Although written communication can become misinterpreted, assuming the person receiving the written communication does understand what you are stating. Writing to new people, I do not assume they understand what I am attempting to express and overwrite my statements. Online courses demand a type of writing that is void of adjectives.


In online courses, my method of learning new information changes. My goal learning new material is to become proficient. First, I read the assignments and resources. If I am not familiar with the information, I will proceed with Wikipedia. After I use Google search. I scan the various websites and journals and select multiple websites. I study websites but then explore the online journals. Recently, I began using video sites such as Podcast and U tube in learning new information. Learning from videos is a new concept but I simulates classroom setting for me. It’s like direct instruction. The presenter and me taking notes. I wish I could raise my hand and ask questions instead I stop and rewind. In doing this I am able to encode the information faster. If I am still not confident in the assignment, I post questions and read other students responses. This gives me a base of information.

As an adult learner, I am learning to adapt new learning strategies with technology. Purchasing textbooks and highlighters, and traditional outlines is old school and one form of learning. Today I am adapt with the tools in education. I use graphic organizers, search the web, and email and use my students to learn new technology. My PLN is expanding with the web. I communicate with people I may never meet due to geography.

The limitations of PLN are how intelligent is your PLN. Am I getting proficient knowledge from my PLN.? Unlike certain subjects, answers I am seeking are advice based. My life is based on decisions whether at my job or personal life. After gathering the various viewpoints to a topic, I make a decision. After the decisions is made I live with the consequences. Today my learning is not like math equation where one answer is absolute.

How I learn as an adult learner

Information Processing Eastern thought vs Western thought

I researched information processing today from 2 websites. A great place to start online learning any new concepts is Wikepedia.org. The website is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_processing_theory. Even though the website was short, key terms are highlighted for further research. The website divided the information in different sections. One “The four main beliefs in information processing approach” and two “ The structure of information-processing system” both were easy to comprehend. One negative is not all the words highlighted had specific definitions. Other terms had specific definitions and words highlighted.


The second article read from Newsweek Magazine West Brain, East Brain; What a difference culture makes from March 1 2010 is a summary of a study comparing brain activity from western and eastern people. Today, studies are beginning to reveal the importance of culture. Culture affects how people think and learn. Western culture focus is on the individual. How can I benefit? Eastern culture is focused on the community. How can the community benefit we are focused on the individual and easterners on us. Even when it comes to math, a 2006 study revealed different regions of the brain are accessed. The math problem is as simple as 3+4.

Cultural neuroscience is beginning to find that we are not alike depending on our cultures. I hope this field expands to African thought, Native American thought and so on. I wonder how much this makes a difference around the world. So far, we are discussing two different thoughts but I would like to see this field expand.

3 websites for educators

In creating my own blog, I have created and reviewed three websites that are relevant to my job as an educator in a large Philadelphia urban high school. In my line work as an educator, I am faced with the following issues climate (classroom management), lesson plans (instructional delivery) and staying current in educational news. The three sites chosen are and critiqued are:


1. http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Educational_technology

2. http://www.schoolclimate.org/programs/safeCivilSchools.php

3. http://www.eschoolnews.com/

There are thousands of sites to choose from and finding the right ones would take a lifetime! These are just a few for now and more added later. I set up some other pages for browsing under Urban Education and Social Studies k-12.

I chose http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Educational_technology this website clearly defines educational technology. The definition will continue to change in the future as technology continues to evolve in education. The websites gives the reader multiple links to other resources in design, technology and learning pedagogies. Overall, this is a springboard to multiple resources for the reader. Today, educators can’t deny the power of technology in the classroom.

The second website I chose is http://www.schoolclimate.org/programs/safeCivilSchools.php because I am always looking to improve the climate of the school. Today schools are addressing issues that affect the school climate. This websites addresses issues I feel are relevant to school climate. School climate is different than discipline. This website has strategies addressing the needs of the whole child. This website gives multiple ideas to address student’s social and emotional needs. We need to address the whole child for a student to become a successful adult. We are no longer addressing just the academic needs of a student.

The last website I chose http://www.eschoolnews.com/ a current event website in education. I feel it is relevant to keep up with what is happening in education not only in my current school district but overall. The websites has articles from national to local news articles.