EDFD459 Article 2: The Personal Learning Space

Personal Learning Space:

This week we explored the concept of a personal learning space. My initial understanding of a personal learning space was referring to independent learning. However, after completing the weekly unit material and independent research I understand that is far more complex than that. There are multiple factors to consider when discussing the personal learning space, which includes: students motivation and self-direction.

To further this, Pew (2007), writes that a student’s motivation has a significant influence on their ability to learn effectively. There are two types of motivation determine a student’s effort that is willing to exhibit to try and achieve a certain goal, these are “intrinsic” and “extrinsic” motivation (Pew, 2007, p. 14).

“Intrinsically-motivated students are said to employ strategies that demand more effort and that enable them to process information more deeply. Extrinsically-motivated students, by contrast, are inclined to make the minimum effort to achieve an award.” (Pew, 2007, p. 15).

Therefore I believe that educators should be aware of different intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and create learning opportunities that encourage the intrinsic motivation in students so that they strive for greater success.

Figure 1: Intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation (Sprouts, 2021)

Figure 2: Self-direction in learning (Smith,1996).

Another viewpoint to consider when discussing the personal learning space is self-direction. Self-direction in learning is rather self-explanatory, as students guide their learning in their own direction. However, it is very complex to achieve, particularly at a high standard and in a way that is intrinsically motivated. Smith (1996), writes that self-directed learning is successful if it is scaffolded and facilitated in effective ways.

The Knowles Five-step Model is a teaching tool that is used to engage learners so that they maintain their focus on learning (Blackley & Sheffield, 2015).

Figure 3: Knowles 5 Step Model (Pappas, 2013).

References:

Blackley, S. & Sheffield. S. (2015). Digital andragogy: A richer blend of initial teacher education in the 21st century. Issues in Educational Research, 25(4), 397–414. https://search-informit-org.ezproxy1.acu.edu.au/doi/abs/10.3316/aeipt.209852

Pappas, C. (2013). Knowles 5 Step Model. https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles

Pew, S. (2007). Andragogy and Pedagogy as Foundational Theory for Student Motivation in Higher Education. Student Motivation, 2, pg.17-18. https://doi.org/10.46504/02200701pe

Smith, M. (1996). Self-direction in learning. Retrieved from http://infed.org/mobi/self-direction-in-learning

Sprouts. (2021, March, 2). Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Motivation [Video File]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLiasZwWTjA