A quick insight into my imagination

Posted on by tschmuland

As I was going through some discussion forums tonight on gamification / augmented reality, I found myself daydreaming a bit and imagining the possibilities of AR tech in both my job as a technician and in my future as a teacher. At the shop I work at now each technician has a computer at their bench. All the work orders are electronic and we have access to repair manuals and the whole shop and front office is set up on a chat program. I’m picturing in my mind all that being done on a pair of smart glasses.

When it comes to the classroom, I imagine having a 3D image of an engine hovering in the center of the class. As I’m explaining all the different parts and their functions I can zoom in and pull it apart.

Maybe I’ve watched iron man too many times but I eagerly look forward to the day when it’s not just my imagination.

Flow Theory

Posted on by tschmuland

 

Flow Theory is that “sweet spot” in learning where the learner is fully engaged or immersed in what they are doing. This can also be thought of as “being in the zone”.

“A flow state can be entered while performing any activity, although it is most likely to occur when one is wholeheartedly performing a task or activity for intrinsic purposes”

Personally I have seen this working out in a couple of places. During my schooling to become an automotive technician I was constantly below this flow zone. The challenge that was there was low compared to my skills and it was quite boring and time really dragged on. In contrast, when I was out on the job learning and doing certain jobs, I felt constantly engaged and the day just flew by.

Another example that happened this last weekend was myself and a few friends started playing a new board game. It was quite in depth and had a lot of small details to  figure out but we got so into it that before we knew it 2 hours had passed by.

 

Learning Styles and some self reflection

Posted on by tschmuland

It came as a bit of a shock to me today that learning style is a myth. After reading Angela’s discussion forum on learning styles and following some of the links, my mind had been changed. What I was most surprised by was the fact that I never questioned it before. I don’t remember when or from whom I first heard the theory but it was probably early on in my childhood education. I definitely  fell into the trap of “interpreting ambiguous situations as consistent with the theory” but there were also plenty of times when situations didn’t quite add up but I just ignored it and brushed it off. This has reminded me how important it is to not only challenge and question the assumptions that other people make but also the challenge our own assumptions. Either we will confirm what we think and now have better reasons for it or we will come to a different conclusion and change our thinking.

 

All You Need to Know About the ‘Learning Styles’ Myth, in Two Minutes