Fitting the Pieces Together

As time goes on, I have learned that when I was young, I was pretty naïve when it came to my thought process. Even during the time in the 90’s when I was first at college, there were so many factors and knowledge I wish I was more aware of. My course at Walden has shown me that we need to educate our folks more with some of these concepts and theories we have discuss during last 6-7 weeks. We should learn a few learning concepts to gain a deeper understanding, help our personal learning preference, and be aware of technology role in this arena as it changes every day.

Behavioral, Cognitive, Social, Construct, etc. . .of course, you feel overwhelmed when you first start learning that when you learn some idea or concept, no matter how you did it, I am sure they had some theory or style on how you did it. But this is a great tool for our teachers and Instructional Designer as they can now tailor certain subjects to the folks who would benefit the most. Before when we were young, we were all grouped together and expect to learn a subject one way. It only help a few excel while other where trying to keep up. Now that we can pinpoint certain aspects on how and why a student might pick up Algebra or Chemistry at better pace and time just by making a class more group orientated instead of solo projects.

I have seen a progression in my own learning styles which is currently helping me get thru my course at Walden and be better prepared for my military rank testing. Being able to understand on how I can improve my knowledge on subjects has done wonders. This has helped me get thru my courses for my degrees but also score well and make more rank. This is truly a big benefit.

Technology has not only played big part in my learning but has shown my ways to improve my knowledge in many ways. Online course has revived my educational hunger I have had since I left college and joined the Air Force. The realism is that is shown in some of the courses helped with the knowledge portion of my brain but also given me guidance on what to look forward toward once I am able to use this concepts.

We live and work in a changing world. New laws are introduced that lead to the introduction of new policies. New ideas and approaches emerge. New problems arise and new solutions are sought. The world of work is therefore a constantly moving and evolving one. What this means is that, if we are not constantly learning as we go about our day-to-day business, then each day we are getting further and further out of touch with the demands of the modern working world. This is why learning these theories and styles are vital and technology is a area which must be kept always in our vision. Always remember that there is always room for improvement.


Hermes Sanchez

Connectivism: My Mind Map

When instructors and course developers try to find a new theory of how and why certain people think they way they do, they will try to conceptualize the method in the present or future aspect that makes it simple to explain. One of the latest one is called Connectivism. Connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations (Davis, 2008). They have even devised a way to put this concept on graph called a Mind Map. A mind map is a graphical way to represent ideas and concepts. It is an illustration thinking tool that helps arrange data, helping you to better examine, understand, produce, evoke and make new ideas. My mind map is set to my goal of achieving my 2nd Masters degree.

When I was going for my 1st degree, a lot of these branches and networks would have been different compared to what I have now. My branch toward the “Technology” would have been smaller as it wasn’t a big concept I would have to worry about. It’s a branch that is constantly growing and making its present know that technology is a constant growing network that I must continue to learn or it will get to big and unbalance my map. My priority and motivation will be my main factors to ensure my mind is on these subjects because I know of the consequences if I don’t. It has help us define not just how learning occurs but also provide us with information on future trends that we can build our educational systems on (Siemens, 2009). I have become aware of that the Technology branch will be my biggest challenge.

Staying on top of most of these branches will be difficult but some the use of these digital tools will be helpful. Most Microsoft Office programs will be most helpful like Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. All three programs are the most used program throughout the US and keeping up-to-date will be vital. Taking classes whenever new updates come up has help me with work, developing new programs ensuring we are ahead of the curve. At home, new budgets, calendars’ to keep our family stabilized with all of our schedules and finances. Finally for school, all three programs will help me produce top notch papers and projects to help me achieve top grades.

The mind map has help me look at what entails my current life schedules and let me decide on timeframes, elements, and priorities in my daily schedule. It lets me figure what branches are bigger than others so I can concentrate on what matter most now and in the future. Decision-making is a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the environment that is constantly changing. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to the shift in the information climate impacting the decision. This is why this map is a great tool for those who need all the data in front of them to make that choice.




Siemens, G. 2009. [Director]. “Connectivism”. Motion Picture


Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism