Month: September 2022

Behaviourism

The theory of behaviourism emphasizes the use of conditioning to modify behaviour. It focuses on promoting desirable or proper conduct through either positive or negative reinforcement and eradicating undesirable behaviour through punishment. It solely emphasizes actions that can be seen or measured. The investigation of feelings or motivations is excluded [1]. Schools typically employ this notion. For instance, attending courses was required when I was pursuing a finance degree in Jordan. A person will fail the course if they skip classes like 6 or 8, however, if they attend the majority of the classes, they will receive a participation mark. because the system is based on stimuli such as rewards and penalties, it reflects the theory of behaviourism.

Cognitivism

According to cognitivism, learning occurs when a person processes the information and stimuli they are exposed to. Rather than automatically reacting to stimuli and responding via conditioning, learners consider and evaluate their reactions. The goal of learning is to perceive information, analyse it, store and retrieve it (in memory), and then use it (transfer). Students actively participate in the learning process, and teachers pay close attention to how students structure, arrange, and sequence material to promote efficient processing (learning)[2]. As an illustration, consider using discussion boards in the classroom to promote cooperation and a range of viewpoints. Students will need to employ their cognitive abilities to think, evaluate, process, and make sense of the prior knowledge and information they had.

Constructivism

According to the constructivism theory, learners create knowledge rather than merely absorbing it in a passive manner. People construct their own representations of the world when they interact with it and think back on previous interactions. They also incorporate new information into their prior knowledge[3].  Classroom debates are one example where students can refute arguments put forth by teachers, learning materials, or other students based on their prior knowledge and their current position.

Connectivism

A relatively recent learning theory called connectivism recognizes that technology plays a significant role in the learning process and that is always linked and provides us with the chance to choose how we will learn. It also encourages group cooperation and conversation, allowing for many opinions and perspectives when it comes to making decisions, solving problems, and making sense of information. Connectivism encourages learning that takes place outside of a person, such as through social media, internet networks, blogs, or information databases[4]. As an example, consider the blogs that students utilize in their EDCI classes to engage with one another by posting topics/blogs and having discussions.

Self Reflection

“why you chose this activity, how it aligned with your learning goals, and what you learned through the research that you completed?”

I chose this activity because I was interested in learning theories. It is my first time knowing that there are learning theories so I wanted to explore and learn. It definitely aligns with my learning goals as I have learned a new useful topic that will help me in my future learnings. through my research, I have learned that there are more effective ways to learn and retain knowledge besides the conventional method, which entails students working mostly on their own, repeating what they’ve already learned, and following strict lesson plans dictated by a textbook.

References:

[1] https://www.tonybates.ca/2014/07/29/learning-theories-and-online-learning/

[2] https://www.paradigmsofeducation.com/cognitivism/

[3] https://www.buffalo.edu/catt/develop/theory/constructivism.html#:~:text=constructivist%20classroom%20activities-,What%20is%20constructivism%3F,%2Dexisting%20knowledge%20(schemas).

[4] https://www.wgu.edu/blog/connectivism-learning-theory2105.html#:~:text=One%20way%20teachers%20implement%20connectivism,discussion%20among%20students%20and%20teachers.

Intrinsic cognitive load 

A specific topic’s inherent complexity, regardless of how it is presented, is referred to as its intrinsic cognitive load. Some tasks are more challenging to master than others. If they are more difficult, they can cause an intrinsic cognitive load. For instance, doing simple addition is significantly easier than tackling a hard calculus problem. as noted in the lecture material, completely eliminating intrinsic load is not good as difficult tasks have significant educational value. Simply put, educators should make sure to properly manage it by helping learners when educators develop multimedia learning resources. It is significant to remember that various individuals and situations may experience the same task’s intrinsic load differently. As a result, allowing students choice over their learning pace is a key tactic.

The three principles related to managing the intrinsic load.

the three principles related to managing intrinsic (or essential) load:

Segmenting: According to this theory, individuals retain information more effectively when it is provided in user-paced parts as opposed to everything at once in a multimedia message [1].

Pretraining: This theory suggests that individuals absorb a multimedia message more fully when they are familiar with the names and characteristics of the key topics [2].

Modality: According to the Modality Principle, spoken and visual information is better for human learning than written and visual information [3]. This is not to say that you should never utilize text on a screen; it just implies that learners will become overwhelmed if there are too many graphics and too much text.

Reflection Questions

“Provide an example of a multimedia learning principle you have intuitively followed in the past, and an example of a multimedia learning principle you have broken in the past. What will you do differently now?”

Pre-training principle is an example of a multimedia learning principle that I have formerly instinctively used. back in high school, I used to constantly read/skim ahead of the crucial subjects or classes, like biology or math. Before going to a class, I used to make sure that I was familiar with the content; this enabled me to comprehend more and ask questions throughout the lecture. Furthermore, in many aspects of life, I still apply the pre-training idea. For instance, before visiting a new place that I am unfamiliar with, I use Google Maps to research the area and become acquainted with it.

I have in the past violated the principle of segmentation in multimedia learning. For instance, when taking self-paced online courses, I used to take a lot of lectures for a long time of period without pausing. Due to this, I was unable to retain all of the knowledge I had acquired. To make sure I remember the material I learn, I now approach studying differently and take pauses.

“What did you notice about your learning when you listened to the Soundcloud by Howat? How was it different from reading an article?”

Because I was previously familiar with the subject, I realized that I grasped everything without any trouble. If it was a new topic, I wouldn’t just listen because English isn’t my first language, so I’d need to see it to fully comprehend and look up any words I didn’t know. Just hearing is really different from reading text because when I read, I may pause to look up new terms and clarify what I’m reading.

References

[1] https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/multimedia-learning/segmenting-principle/37240877DDA0362355ADB39936027982

[2] https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/multimedia-learning/pretraining-principle/01791D57F5D4164251269E6DF56A8BF1

[3] https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/multimedia-learning/modality-principle/E5CD6E01CEA0B568CE260F66A3CD0D1F

Digital identity is defined as a person’s presence online, it is everything that the person posts and shares on social media or the web which includes tweets, blogs, photos, interactions, videos and more. Our online identities are shaped by how we conduct ourselves and how others see us in both personal and professional contexts.

Personal and professional approaches to digital identity, in my opinion, have different effects on how people use social media.

• Personal: Social media is a way to engage with family and friends, regardless of their current location. It keeps the person connected with people they may have lost contact with otherwise. It makes sense to keep one’s personal social media accounts separate and private given that they are used to sharing content about one’s daily life, beliefs, religion and more, but it’s also important to understand the responsibilities that come with utilizing social media.
• Professional: Social media is the person’s multi-media resume with endorsements. It gives the person a platform to connect with industry professionals, recruiters, and find job opportunities. When using social media professionally, users often behave very professionally and refrain from posting or discussing everything they want to.

Digital identities converge in networked publics differently. Personal identities may act inappropriately and utilize online communities to harass, disseminate misinformation, and troll individuals, whereas professional identities are often motivated by a fear of losing jobs if they act inappropriately. both usages have their own positive and negative impacts.

” Describe an example from your life of when you were taught using each method described in this article: behaviourism, cognitivism, and constructivism?”

behaviourism: The theory of behaviourism emphasizes the use of conditioning to modify behaviour. It focuses on promoting desirable or proper conduct through either positive or negative reinforcement and eradicating undesirable behaviour through punishment. Throughout my finance degree in Jordan, I had a number of subjects where behaviourism was the teaching method. For example, attending classes was mandatory. If a student misses classes like 6 or more, they will fail the course; however, if they show up to the bulk of the courses, they will obtain a participation/ attendance grade. In my opinion, I believe that attendance should not be a requirement or behaviour that is punished. Some students prefer self-paced learning and only attend the class for crucial activities like completing quizzes, contributing to group projects, or just sitting for examinations as they are given.

Cognitivism: Cognitivism holds that learning happens when a subject analyses the data and stimuli that they are exposed to. Learners think and assess their reactions as opposed to automatically responding to stimuli and responding through conditioning. It encourages students to fully engage in the learning process so learning, thinking, and remembering gets easier. As opposed to Jordan, where the behaviourism learning theory was more prevalent, I have encountered this style (Cognitivism) of teaching and learning here in Canada. As a student studying health informatics, the majority of the classes require engagement to retain information. Students are encouraged to debate what is being taught, as well as to support and elaborate their ideas. Visualizations are used by professors to increase student comprehension and memory.

Constructivism: The constructivism idea holds that information is produced by students rather than passively absorbed. When they engage with the world, people create their own interpretations of it and reflect on earlier experiences. This teaching/learning method was not as popular in Jordan compared to here in Canada. Most of the classes in health informatics employ this theory and Cognitivism. Students, for instance, work mostly in groups, and knowledge acquisition is participatory and dynamic. The importance of teamwork, idea sharing, and social and communication skills is heavily stressed. Another way they employ this strategy is through research projects, where students study a subject and then present and discuss their results in class.

My belief is that the ideal technique to teach pupils so they remember the knowledge and information they acquire is a combination of constructivism and cognitivism. This is in contrast to the typical classroom where lessons are rigidly followed and are led by a textbook, students work mostly by themselves, and learning is accomplished via repetition, which causes students to forget what they have learned.

Hi all,

I’m Abdullahi Bashir, a fourth-year Health Information Science (HINF) student who is enthusiastic about learning about data science, healthcare technology, and management. I previously graduated from Jordan’s Yarmouk University with a degree in finance and banking, but I chose to pursue a degree in healthcare since I have more interest in that area.

I’m taking this course to fulfil my program’s senior elective requirement and to understand more about learning as it’s a complex process. Since the advent of covid, companies and educational institutions are increasingly relying on digital platforms; thus, it is crucial to understand how dispersed and open learnings operate.

Outside of school, I enjoy watching soccer, UFC, or comedy shows as well as playing soccer. Additionally, I enjoy travelling and exploring new places.

Looking forward to working with everyone in the next few months.

Cheers.

Hi all,

I’m Abdullahi Bashir, a fourth-year Health Information Science (HINF) student who is enthusiastic about learning about data science, healthcare technology, and management. I previously graduated from Jordan’s Yarmouk University with a degree in finance and banking, but I chose to pursue a degree in healthcare.

I enjoy watching soccer, UFC, and comedy shows as well as playing soccer in my free time. Additionally, I enjoy travelling and exploring new places.

Looking forward to working with everyone in the next few months.

Cheers.

What does it mean to network using social media?

Using social media to network entails using online social networking sites to maintain contact with friends, family, coworkers, or clients. Through websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, social media may serve a social purpose, a business purpose, or both. Additionally, social media gives businesses the chance to communicate with customers by running advertising on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Social media has been extremely helpful during pandemics since it allowed students to continue attending lessons online while avoiding touch by utilizing applications like Teams or Zoom.

How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

There are several factors that influence our motivation to engage in networked publics. Some individuals utilize online communities like twitch to watch their favourite streamers play video games because they want to have fun and be entertained. Other individuals could be leveraging networked publics for informational seeking or simply because it is very convenient and easy to stay connected using networked publics.

 What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

Risks could be the following;

• Privacy Issues. Undoubtedly, one of the concerns that are most frequently encountered is privacy. Some issues with regular social media use include tweeting improper content, exposing too much of our daily life with a wide audience, or accidentally sharing one’s location online.
• Spread of false Information. People frequently fabricate phoney social media postings and share them by distributing misleading information on forums and other platforms.
• Cyberbullying. Sending offensive texts and offensive media (such as pictures and videos) are ways that bullying occurs.

Rewards could be the following;

• Convenience and easy access. Utilizing public communications is quite simple and practical.
• Global connectivity. Social media has made good worldwide communication possible, which is one of its most well-known benefits
• a top-notch educational tool. With the use of social networking platforms, students may communicate with professors and learn at their own pace. Additionally, social media greatly improves the learning process adaptability as a whole.

What made you decide to take this course?

The main reasons are

1. Senior Elective; I am doing Health informatics, and I am supposed to take 5 senior Electives.
2. I am interested in understanding how various media kinds might affect learning, what are the best ways to learn new things and how to learn easier and quicker. Different ideas are presented in the course that will aid in my effective learning and reduce cognitive strain.

What are your learning goals this term?

My learning goals this term are:

• I am taking 6 courses so the first goal is to excel in all the courses and get good grades
• Learn new things, engage with students and improve.

Examples.

Interactive media is a means of communication where the program’s outputs depend on user inputs. Video games are one type of interactive media where players use controllers to react to visual and aural signals created by a computer program on the screen.

Multimedia is a representation of information in an attractive and interactive way with the use of a combination of text, audio, video, graphics and animation. An example of Multimedia is Zoom video conferences which possess real-time video, audio, text message and visual environments.

Interactive multimedia enables the user to control, mix, and alter a range of media types, including text, computer graphics, audio and video resources, as well as animation. An example is travel guides such as a website called lonely planet https://www.lonelyplanet.com/.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/places

Which of these examples do you find the most interesting and engaging? What do you think makes it interesting and engaging for you?

The example related to video games strikes me as being the most intriguing and captivating. The rationale is that video games captivate players by offering a variety of high-definition communication channels. With increased in-game skill, challenges, rewards, tales, character qualities, and levels of play that are harder and harder to complete also become available, catching the player’s attention more.