How Learning Happened for Me
About Me
Hello everyone! My name is William Li, and I’m 24 years old. I’m from Changsha, Hunan, China. My native language is Chinese, and I’m currently studying Computer Science at the University of Victoria in Canada. I live near campus, making it very convenient for both study and daily life. I’m particularly interested in computer algorithms because they’re like logic puzzles. While the process is challenging, it’s also very rewarding. My computer science major necessitates computers and the internet, so I spend most of my time constantly accessing online courses. I rarely engage with printed materials these days, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy them. In my free time, I enjoy playing games and engaging in strength training. These two activities help me relax, focus, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Now, let me share how I understand the learning process itself.
My Understanding of Learning
For me, learning isn’t just about memorizing textbook knowledge. More importantly, it’s about thinking and practicing in the process, gradually transforming that knowledge into practical skills.
In my algorithms class last year, some of the concepts were quite abstract and initially difficult for me to grasp. Later, I started writing code and applying the algorithms to real-world problems, and suddenly everything clicked. It’s this ‘learning by doing’ approach that has made me truly appreciate the meaning of learning. This connects directly to how I approach acquiring new skills.
Learning Style and Approach
In terms of my learning style, I consider myself more constructivist. I prefer to understand knowledge through exploration and experimentation, rather than simply listening or memorizing.
For example, when writing programs, I often start with a simple implementation and then gradually optimize it. This makes me feel like I’m ‘building’ the knowledge rather than passively accepting it. This approach makes me feel more proactive and engaged. Next, I’ll discuss what drives my motivation to keep learning.
Motivation for Learning
When it comes to motivation, I think confidence is the most important thing for me. When I first arrived at UVic, I was actually quite nervous, especially since the classes were taught entirely in English. I worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up. But as I practiced my English expression, I gradually gained the courage to speak in class, and my confidence built up. With confidence, I was more willing to devote myself to learning, and it was easier to persevere. This made me realize that as long as I have confidence, I can persevere to the end on many seemingly difficult tasks.
Prior knowledge aids learning.
Furthermore, as an adult learner, I’ve found that my previous experience is very helpful in my current studies. For example, having taken numerous online courses in China, I quickly mastered the multimedia learning tools in this course and was able to compare two different teaching methods. This experience has helped me better understand new knowledge and apply it in practice.
Overall, I believe learning is a journey of constant experimentation and adaptation. It has not only enriched my knowledge but also fostered a more positive attitude towards life. I hope that through this course, I can gain a deeper understanding of multimedia education and integrate technology and education, which will be beneficial in my future work and personal life.
References
NU Editorial Contributors, 2023. Constructivism in Education: What Is Constructivism? [online]
Rikke ,D., 2025. The 5 Stages in the Design Thinking Process [online]
Amy, D., n.d. 5 Powerful Ways to Gain Confidence as a College Student [online]
McMaster University., n.d. Prior Knowledge [online]