Introduction

There were several courses in the MEd program that enabled me to explore adult education learning theory, and how motivation, and cognitive, constructivist, and social learning theories apply to instructional design in distance education and online learning. MDDE 613 in particular, helped me to develop a 'personal theory of practice' and refine my position on the adult education theory continuum and whether it is the individual or social element that influences learning.

Key activities to help me accomplish this was writing and reflecting on learning theories that resonated with my beliefs and experiences about knowledge, learning and designing instruction. The journal or blog (see Learning Asset 1) where I wrote a sustained and reflective account of my learning experiences and insights during the course. This is where I explored themes such as the role of the individual learner or responsibility for learning, definitions of self-directed and social learning, and the implications of putting adult learning theory into practice. These themes were also analyzed in more depth in the other course assignments (see Learning Assets 2, 3 and 4).