A beautiful view along this lovely walk at Cottonmill Park.

Several years ago Colvin received this John Deere pedal tractor as a gift from a good friend, Marge. She found it at a garage sale for $5. He has ridden it every day since. Both back wheels have fallen off and have been fixed. He pulls his wagon and other trailers with it. He uses this tractor so much he has worn it out. He has modified it, adding a horn, stickers, ignition and many other “extras.” He has to keep it in the garage so it doesn’t get rain on it. It is amazing how much time he puts into this tractor.

This last weekend he came to the realization that he might be outgrowing his beloved tractor. And so has put it up for sale for $100.

I just loved this picture of the WordPress logo carved into a pumpkin!

Image Source: http://mashable.com/2009/10/28/halloween-pumpkin-carvings/

This is a very relaxing picture for me.

What do you see through the light of Luther?

Meet a few of my friends – that is if you ever think you want to mess with me!

A special day at our house! Congrats Gordon…

Assignment 1.3

In chapter one, pages 8 through 16 there are 8 statements about learning (i.e. “Learning is a Dialectical Process,” Learning is Non-normative,” Strong Emotions Affect Learning,” etc.) select two of these statements and find more information on the statement you selected, either from a journal article, a reliable website, another book, etc. Based on what is discussed in the book and what you find from your other resource, create a narrated PPT presentation that discusses the following (be sure to use your resources – the text and the extra resource you discovered to support your thoughts):

• In your own words, describe the concepts you have chosen.
• For each concept outline at least three ways educators can use this information as they work with their learners.
• Be sure to include a final slide that lists your references.
• This presentation should only be about 3 to 5 slides long, it needs to be narrated and you need to use other resources in addition to your text.

Assignment 1.1

Learning is defined many ways. Based on what you have learned in chapter one and from other resources found in the Course Documents, discuss the following:

• What is your definition of learning?
• How does a learning centered approach compare to a teaching centered approach?
• Provide examples from either your experiences as an instructor and/or as a learner that demonstrate the use of a learning centered approach and a teaching centered approach.
• Why would a learning centered approach work best with adult learners?

Learning is a natural cognitive process of colleting and organizing external and/or internal information into meaning for an individual.

How does a learning centered approach compare to a teaching centered approach?

The focus of a learning centered approach is the process of learning and the individual learner. The focus of a teaching centered approach the expected outcomes of the teacher. The difference is how you rate the outcome. Do you measure the growth and meaning for the individual or do you measure the knowledge of content based on the expectations of the facilitator?

Provide examples from either your experiences as an instructor and/or as a learner that demonstrate the use of a learning centered approach and a teaching centered approach.

I teach a workshop on “Building Your Web Presence with WordPress”. I keep this a learning centered activity by letting students work through the process of planning their own site. They get to build and design it themselves and they walk out with something that is uniquely theirs. This wasn’t always the case. When we first started these workshops years ago, we had a plan for them and the material all packaged up nicely so it was “more efficient.” As I have since learned, it is much more beneficial to let them work with their own material. It sticks with them and has relevance. I now like to say “learning is messy!” The messier it seems, the more the student have the possibility to organize the information how it best suits them.

Why would a learning centered approach work best with adult learners?

A learning centered approach works well in most situations because it provides the opportunity to gather, process and synthesize on an individual level. Each person has unique ways of learning and unique reasons to learn. They are usually starting at different stages with the knowledge they currently have and by affording them chance to reach their individual goals, they are going to collect, retain and use the information in a much stronger and more personal way than other approaches.

Julie is all dressed up for the Mystery Dinner at Campus Lutheran.