How do people learn best?

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

Most of us have moments in our lives that stand out as pivotal learning experiences. As I reflect upon these questions about learning and learning theory, several stories and their lessons come to mind. I started teaching right out of college, and I have strong memories of the first in-service in teaching methodologies conducted at our school. In many ways, that experience has shaped my values as an educator. The first lesson was about left-brained versus right-brained learning strategies and teaching techniques, but the lesson that I took away from that experience can be summarized simply as: know thyself.

In my case, I was on the extreme left-brained learning style. I discovered why I always hated outlining; it seemed like extra work to me, since I naturally look for logical connections between ideas anyway. I also discovered why I have always resisted what I call "touchy feely" exercises; they go so much against my nature that I have to struggle to find the benefits of these activities. But, another concept that I have also carried with me ever since is the idea of developing complementary styles, seeking a holistic approach. Since I do not do some things naturally, I must attempt to incorporate those foreign activities into my toolbox so that I am able to teach and communicate with those aliens in the right-brained universe.

Another significant lesson came from my department chair while I was there. Initially, our relationship was one of mutual respect and admiration; she was my mentor, but we ultimately reached a point where we wanted to strangle each other. Everything became a battle. In an effort to try to resolve our issues, she asked me to take a test, which in frustration and desperation I agreed to do. At that time in my life, I had never heard of Myers-Briggs. When we shared our personality types with each other, a certain clarity immediately occurred. I am an ISTP; she an ENTJ. In many ways, we could not be more different. Once again, a new realm of awareness was mine.

For the last two days, I have been participating in situational leadership training for my company. A few ideas from that training come immediately to mind. First, there is no one right way to learn, or lead, or do anything for that matter. There are a lot of stereotypical ways of categorizing ourselves, and while the tools may attempt to pigeonhole us as leaders, or learners, things always change. After eighteen years of teaching, I am much closer to an E on the Myers-Briggs, but that does not change my intrinsic nature. While I may have found myself in the Promoter quadrant of the Controlling, Analyzing, Supporting, Promoter grid in yesterday's workshop, I am aware that I generally adjust my style to the situations and people with whom I am working.

For me, learning theories provide a common language for teachers and students so that they can better understand each other. How many times have you heard someone say that they are "visual learners"? While they may not truly understand what that means in theoretical terms, they are attempting to identify how they learn best so that you can best help them. And, I think that this is where learning theory in educational technology has a uniquely fundamental impact. Audio, video, and other media technology can be incorporated into the learning process like never before. With sophisticated programming we can provide immediate feedback to learners about where they are in learning mastery and outcomes. We have a great opportunity with modern technology to provide students with multiple ways to engage the learning experience in any course, for students to find the approaches that are best suited to them at that particular moment.

For me, the process of learning is as unique as the individual learner. Successful learning often has very little to do with the content of the course itself, but instead it has everything to do with the adage of teaching someone to fish. If we are truly successful as educators, we teach someone how to learn not just what to learn.

Kimberly