Thinking about our week 2 resources and my own personal and professional experiences, there is no doubt that the traditional classroom setting has been at the forefront for a very long time but in todays world, we are ow acknowledging that educating students now is definitely a lot more challenging. We can no longer just present instruction into a classroom environment like instructors have in the past. Instructors now have to go one step futher in instructional design that can accommodate different learning styles that each one of us have because we all do learn differently and we all think creatively different through discovery. More and more these days, schools and universities are integrating more inventive methods of having students use their creativity while gaining knowledge through the utilization of various technology tools and resources that enhance instructional design while improving their academic needs of students, individually (Felder, R. M., & Brent, R. 2005). Instructional design is the creation of utilizing instructional and learning theories to enhance instruction. It is the process of analyzing and creating the goals and necessities of individuals while meeting those goals and necessities. They are strategies that emphasize best practices and learning theories (TED, 2006).

     Constructivist models present creators with principles and guidelines that enhance a constructivist-learning environment, such as project-based, cooperative and problem-based learning. Many models are ideal for a problem-solving environment which presents traditional academic contexts, integrates guidelines for learner control, provides feedback and social experiences for the learner (Hall, T., Strangman, N., & Meyer, A. 2003). Instructional design that incorporate these models, present various opportunities and tools to complement the learner in their individual learning style while also giving them the responsibility of becoming involved in the learning process instead of just being a bystander. Technology can be intriduced by integrating software such as scholarly databases and/or libraries for students to utilize in the research adventures (Dabbagh, N., 2006).

     Cooperative learning is a great way for students to be involved with social or group learning where shared goals can be achieved. It is a great opportunity for them to collaborate with one another while gaining knowledge and skills, where they can create, share and/or redesign ideas. A greatwhere to do that is for example, through a PowerPoint presentation, blogs and or wikis, that is accessible for everyone. Even individual learning, can be an opportunity for individuals to learn their way, at their speed, and at a time that works for them (Hall, T., Strangman, N., & Meyer, A. 2003).  We all learn differently, some of us are more aduio/visual learner, some learn more through reading, maybe some like the more hands-on approach, heck, even some like a mix of some or all of these approaches. When an instructor can present instructions through diverse methods, the outcomes can be the most positive and successful (Dabbagh, N. 2006).

Here is my mind map that I had created in a previous class that definitely gives you a visual of where I am going with this: https://bubbl.us/?h=1fd80a/407956/20LYHvmcusBAk&r=941232517

References

Dabbagh, N. (2006). Instructional design knowledge base. Retrieved from http://cehdclass.gmu.edu/ndabbagh/Resources/IDKB/models_theories.htm

Felder, R. M., & Brent, R. (2005). Understanding student differences. Journal of Engineering Education, 94(1), 57-72. Retrieved from http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Papers/Understanding_Differences.pdf       Hall, T., Strangman, N., & Meyer, A. (2003). Differentiated instruction and implications for UDL implementation. Wakefield, MA: National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum. Retrieved from http://aim.cast.org/sites/aim.cast.org/files/DI_UDL.1.14.11.pdf

TED. (2006). Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity [Video]. Retrieved from TED Talks: http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

theRSAorg. (2010, October 14). RSA animate – Changing education paradigms [Video]. Retrieved from YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U