Competency 1

EDCI 531 – Final Paper – How we e-Learn: A Learning Theory for how we Learn Through e-Learning Courses

EDCI 531 – Final Paper – How we e-Learn: A Learning Theory for how we Learn Through e-Learning Courses – In this paper, I tackled the task of creating my own learning theory for how we learn through e-learning courses. The paper was focused around the “e-Learning Theory Triangle,” which was comprised of what I thought to be the three most important parts of creating an e-learning course: motivation, the student, and technology. The motivation piece was based on John Keller’s (1987) ARCS Model and was the tip of the triangle because it was seen as the most important piece. In looking at the student it revolved around looking at how the student learns and specifically cognitive, behavioral, and constructivist learning theories. As for the technology piece it was based on what I termed the 5 C’s: Content, Communication, Collaboration, Context, and Connection, and were based on work by Sims (2008) and Aparicio, Bacao, & Oliveria (2015).

Taking on the task of creating my own “Theory for how we Learn Through e-Learning,” I had to read and interpret a number of articles ranging in topic from learning theories, how to motivate learners, and how to implement technology in learning. To be able to not only read and understand the educational literature, but to be able to interpret it and make sense of it, so that I could use it to create my own theory, I had to have a solid understanding of the principles of instructional design so that I knew what I was reading and what I was looking for. It takes a lot of time and research to find the right articles and research papers to write a paper like this; I believe that this paper has shown my ability to sift through the mountain of research articles available, so that I can find exactly what I need to properly argue my case and have the fact necessary to back it up.

Each of the three components of the “e-Learning Theory Triangle,” I created for this paper, was based on the work of numerous learning theorists and instructional technologists working in the educational field. For this paper, I took on the responsibility of taking their work, interpreting it, and describing how it fits into my proposed theory of how we learn through e-learning. I drew upon learning theories based on cognitivism, behaviorism, and constructivism to show how important it is to consider how the student learns. I used John Keller’s (1987) ARCS Model to emphasize the importance of motivation in regards to e-learning courses where there isn’t an instructor to help motivate the student. Finally, I drew upon the works of Sims (2008) and Aparicio, Bacao, & Oliveria (2015) to create what I termed the 5 C’s of technology use. I believe this paper demonstrates fully my ability to describe fundamental theories of human learning, by using various learning theories to create and describe my own learning theory created for the paper.

This paper is solely based on applying knowledge of human learning, diversity, and effective pedagogy to create a learning theory that describes how people learn. I used the research of a number of learning theorists, instructional designers, and others working in the education and psychology field to help create a new learning theory that I felt encompassed the ideas of how we learn through e-learning courses. I believe this paper demonstrates that because without having the ability to apply the knowledge of human learning, diversity, and effective pedagogy there is no way I could have created a new learning theory that effectively addresses current understanding of human learning and effective pedagogical practices.

I personally feel the ability to synthesize knowledge and information is a critical skill for any professional to have. The ability to read and interpret material, and to use it to create something new, to describe it to a colleague, and to apply it to what you are working on. After going back and reading through my paper it has become apparent to me how important a skill like this truly is as a professional. Without this skill and ability, you are forced to rely solely on what you already know and the little you learn in passing. You cannot rely on your ability to find new information, to interpret that information, and to use it to create something completely new. I hope to continue building my skills in regards to synthesizing knowledge by doing research, reading updated articles and research papers, and by applying what I learn into my professional work. The ability to create your own knowledge is something everyone should strive for.

– Aparicio, M., Bacao, F., & Oliveira, T. (2015). An e-Learning Theoretical Framework. Educational Technology & Society, 19 (1), 292-307.
– Keller, J. (1987). Development and Use of the ARCS Model of Instructional Design. Journal of Instructional Development, 10 (3), 2-10.
– Sims, R. (2008). Rethinking (e)learning: a Manifesto for Connected Generations. Distance Education, 29 (2), 153-164.