Week 2 Discussion-

I believe that we experience and learn through almost all the learning theories throughout our lives and usually, we don’t recognize the learning theories that help us learn. For instance, I remember as a child Behaviourism learning theory was majorly responsible for my learning wherein rewards and punishments played a critical role in determining my performance. The rewards or the positive feedback given by my parents or school, motivated me to study harder and perform better. Now that I have learned about different learning theories, I realize how behaviorism theory helped me learn better in my childhood. However, the way we learn and attain knowledge is a dynamic process. Hence, the theories we utilize in the process of learning keeps varying. Connectivism is a learning theory that I am currently implementing rigorously in my process of learning. Goldie (2016) describes that connectivism is a learning process that allows learning through networks developed online or with the aid of digital technology. TRU provides a learning environment immersed in modern technologies and pedagogy. Instructors have adopted a connectivism teaching approach employing modern teaching strategies thereby offering student-centered learning conditions. This approach enables me to utilize digital platforms and different web portals like Moodle, TRU library, Padlet, and WordPress to gain and share ideas and information. Different online learning platforms help in building networks with people of similar educational background and interests. This facilitates me to seek solutions to my queries, have access to scholarly articles and e-books, communicate, and get instant feedback from my instructors. My knowledge has broadened extensively at TRU because of the regular use of these advanced technologies, which was not the case while I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree in my hometown where more conventional teaching and learning approach was ingrained in me. Connectivism is a theory outlining that the way an individual learns in this digital age has changed drastically (Siemens, 2017). This highlights the importance of accustoming ourselves to technology-based learning.

References: 

Goldie, J. G. S. (2016). Connectivism: A knowledge learning theory for the digital age? Medical teacher, 38(10), 1064-1069.

Siemens, G. (2017). Connectivism. Foundations of Learning and Instructional Design Technology.