Day 2 Reflections

How do people learn?

I always knew the answer to this question, or at least I understood deep inside how people learn.  It is how I learned to camp and cook as a boy scout, or how I learned to ski on the slopes in Big Bear.  Today, it was learning the first steps,  through trial and error,  of how to design my first website.  In each example,  I learned and practiced new skills by working with a group of people who shared my interests.   I learned quickly because I was actively involved in the learning.  It was hands-on and often challenging.   And,  being in a group,  we could always help each other and share in the experience.  Therefore,  people really do learn better when the are involved in the training, and collaborating with others.   

Given my answer to the above question, how should teaching happen? 

The best teaching should be among the learners themselves.  Encouraging and enabling collobration in the learning enviroment should be the primary focus of the instructor.  The instructor becomes more of a mentor or guide to the learners.  The instructor also provides tools and activities that help the groups learn independently.  

What is the nature of leadership?

Leadership is about guiding others toward success.  It is about having a clear vision and communicating that vision to others.  It is also about truly caring about others and motivating them to succeed.  The best leaders lead by example.    

How have your ideas on the questions above changed (if at all) in the past year? The programs I have worked on this past year have focused more and more on learner involvement.  As a result,  I have seen a renewed interest in our training program.  Learners really do respond to training that "alive" and challenging.  My Virtcamp experience has encouraged my to take these concepts even further.

What are the skills you bring to your workplace, and how have they changed in the last year?

I love to encourage people to work together.  I am great at bringing a group together and introducing a new idea.  I believe I understand what makes learning effective.  More then ever before,  I really design into my training active learning.  I am able to see in instructional design what is effective and what is not.

How would you characterize your identity within your workplace, and how has it changed in the last year?
 
I guess I see myself as a leader in how to develop traditional training programs.  I have demonstrated how to complete a major design project with the collaboration of others.  Although I do appreciate this responsibility,  I know I have so much to learn, especially in the area of technology.  I guess this proves OMET is the right program for me.