Learning is the process of gaining knowledge. How is this done? According to the theory the Conditions of Learning by Robert Gagne (1965), learning is achieved through four phases:
Phase I - Receiving a Stimulus Situation
Phase II- Stage of Acquisition
Phase III - Storage
Phase IV - Retrieval
In order to meet these phases, instruction must be delivered in a manner to guide the design of instruction. There are 9 events that lead to learning:1. Gain Attention
2. Inform Learners of objects
3. Stimulate Recall of prior learning
4. Present stimulus material
5. Provide Learner Guidance
6. Elicit performance
7. Provide feedback about performance
8. Assessing performance
9. Enhancing detection and performance
These can be depicted by a staircase in the sense that you need the previous one in order to move from the main floor to the second level.
Over the past 13 weeks, we have learned different ways in which people learn: Blended Learning, Distance Learning, Connectivism, and Collaborative Learning just to name a few. In this day and time, we have also seen that people learn through mobile, wireless, and ubiquitous learning. Literally learning is at your fingertips and can be placed in your pocket on idle until you are ready to learn some more.
In the article by James Kadirire, Instant messaging for creating interactive and collaborative m-learning environments, he states that we learn from more than just searching and reading information online. We learn from each other via text and instant messages. This is a fast way to exchange information instantaneously. Mobile devices can be used internationally, are compatible in numerous langauages, and expand the ability to edcuate oneself in a new domain however though these devices are so great, they can be very costly to maintain.
In the article by Kristine Peters, M-Learning: Positioning educators for a mobile, connected future, she encourges educators to get mobile suavey as these are the way for learning in the future. A person can be in a porter potty in the middle of farmland USA and are able to learn Mandarin from someone n mainstream China. The only thing holding a learner from this mobile learning is the lack of reception of the wireless domain where towers are sparce or non-existance. Once this problem has been fixed, anyone will be able to learn anything from literally anyplace in the world.
Our guest speaker of this week, Dr. Paul Kim, lectured on the importance and rapid emergence of mobile, wireless, and ubiquitous learning. He and his team has created, built, and internationally marketed learning motiques such as handheld games that can be regenerated by riding a bicycle or flying a kite. Those in rural areas around the world are able to learn by just the click of their fingers. He has so many products and ideas that reemphasize the importiance of ubiquitous learning and shows that it is not going away anytime soon. It will only continue to grow and enhance as time goes on. This is another way in which we see that learning is more than just books, a class, students, and a teacher. Learning encompasses many methods like the use of mobile devices. If you thought this was simply a hoax, you are wrong. In fact, the future is here, and learning is now on the go. Are you ready?
References:
1. Gagne, R. M., (1985) The Conditions of Learning and Theory of Instruction. New York: CBS College Publishing.2. Kadirire, James (2007, June). Instant messaging for creating interactive and collaborative m-learning environments. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. 8(1). Retrieved on June 25, 2010, from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/344/874
3. Peters, Kristine (2007, June). M-Learning: Positioning educators for a mobile, connected future. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning.8(1). Retrieved on June 25, 2010, from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/350/894
4. Timeline. (2008-2009). Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction is Published. Famento, Inc. http://www.xtimeline.com/evt/view.aspx?id=213249
Hi Elke,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting points that you discussed. What Kadirire said about learning from more than just formal ways is surprisingly true. I would add that learning in itself happens actually in everything in our daily activities, starting with reading product labels to watching a movie.
When Peters asks teachers to keep up to date with mobile learning, I think she is being very optimistic. The current status of technology integration into k-12 is still in its early to middle stages and bringing mobile learning into the equation would bring extra costs and time that is not available for the time being.
I like the approach that Paul Kim is doing, we need to go directly to mobile learning options and skip other options. This approach reduce the amount of time and money needed for adopting the technology, yet some would argue that teachers need a solid base in basic technologies prior embarking on mobile ones.
Abdullah