Reflection

After looking back at my "Personal Learning Theory" that I developed in the first week of this course there are not any major modifications that I would make. I did not and still do not agree with any one complete theory. My personal theory of learning involves bits and pieces of a few of the different theories. My theory incorporates some of the behaviorist theory, constructionist/constructivist theory, and the social learning theory. “Different people can look at the same thing and see it in very different ways” (Lever-Duffy and McDonald, 2008). I believe that every child learns in their own distinct way. However, I do believe that it is the most memorable lessons and activities that the students’ participate in that they remember for the rest of their lives. It is the lessons that are meaningful, relevant to them, and that are hands-on that the students gather the most from. Even though every student learns differently, it is important to understand your own personal learning theory before you can establish a teaching theory. “As an educator, awareness of these differing views helps you understand the options you have in approaching the design of an instructional event and, indeed, the entire learning environment” (Lever-Duffy and McDonald, 2008).

Even though I do not feel I need to change my "Personal Learning Theory", this has definitely been one of my favorite classes that I have taken so far. I have learned so many new ways to use technology as an instructional tool as well as a learning tool. From SmartBoard abilities, VoiceThreads, Podcasting, to PowerPoint and wonderful websites there are so many possibilities and ways to integrate technology into the classroom.

The adjustments that need to be made, unfortunately can not be made on my part. The changes that need to be made are to have more access in school to the technology that is out in the real world that the students may be working with in the future, as well as TIME. Time for me to use the technology as well as time to properly teach the students how to use it and giving them adequate amounts of time to work with it. The two tools that I would like to begin working with in my classroom are VoiceThread and Podcasting. Allowing the students the chance to share something both orally and in a typed manner is another way to get them excited about their work. When I tell the students that they will get a chance to share their work using one of these technologies, they get very excited and seem to try harder and put more effort into their work.

One reason I think they try harder and are more motivated when I offer them the opportunity to use the computer is because they do not get to use it very much. One long term goal that I have is to give the students the opportunity to use different forms of technology to present their work once a quarter. Technology can be used in so many ways and throughout the subjects, therefore, I would like to try integrating it not just with a writing assignment but also creating an artifact in Science, Social Studies, Math and Reading. Showing the students that the computer can do so much will hopefully get them wanting to learn more, just like me!

Another long term goal I would like to work on is instructional technology. I would like to do less of the talking/teaching and allow the technology to do more. However, it is important to know that technology should not become the teacher. It should be used as a tool to assist the teacher. The students to do not respond well when the teacher lectures, however they need to know that they have a human for a teacher and not just a computer. There are so many possibilities using technology and Internet that I never knew about and I know that there is still so much that I do not know. It is important to get the students involved while teaching. Having the students come up and interact with the technology and having them show their work or how to work a problem using the document camera (or if you're lucky enough to have a SmartBoard) is very beneficial to that student as well as the other students. Anytime you can get the students up, moving, talking, and being involved will help them retain the information that is being taught.

Technology is all around us! It is time that we start preparing our students for their future with technology using 21st century tools. There are so many possibilities when using technology. I feel that I am very up on technology but there is still so much that I don't know. Don't be scared of technology or shy away from it. It's important to embrace technology and use it to its fullest capabilities.

My VoiceThread

Here is my VoiceThread. Please post comments because I'm curious to see what you think about how to administer Reading tests in 4th grade.


http://voicethread.com/share/785856/

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

Chapter 7 Cooperative Learning is full of wonderful strategies to use that incorporate the idea of Social Learning. Social Learning is defined by Dr. Orey as, "students who are engaged in constructing artifact and conversing with others" (Laureate Education, 2009). I totally agree that getting students involved and talking is very important to their learning. My first year teaching I was given a poster with this information on it and I have had it hanging in my room ever since:

We retain:

10% of what we read
20% of what you hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we talk about with others
80% of what we experience personally
95% of what we teach to others

I point this poster out at the beginning of year and explain to all of my kids how important it is for them to get involved in their education. "When students work in cooperative groups, they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others" (Johnson, Johnson, & Staane, 2000).

Chapter 7 has many wonderful ideas of how you can get students actively discussing their learning. One strategy is using Numbered Heads Together. This is a strategy that I am already using in my classroom. My school district has adopted the Max Thompson Learning Focused concept and using Numbered Heads was one of the big strategies that he focuses on. I have a picture of a clock on each of the students desks. There is a line at 12, 3, 6, and 9. On each line there is a students name. The 12 and 3:00 appointments are someone right at their table. The 6 and 9:00 appointments are someone in the classroom. When I want the students to work in partners I tell them which appointment to meet with and they know exactly who to go to. If I don't have a lot of time I'll choose 12 or 3 since the students don't have to move. This is a great way to get the students talking and moving when I want them to and it's done quickly and in an organized fashion.

In addition, it is important to have the students talk about and summarize what they are learning every so often during the lesson. You should not just wait till the end and then summarize what they learned. Max Thompson suggests you have them "do something" whether it be an activity or talking after their age plus two in minutes. So for example, if they are 9 and 10 years old, every 12 minutes or so they should be talking or doing something. This helps the students retain the information.

All of the suggestions that they gave in the book were excellent ways to get the students actively talking while being engaged at the same time. The more the students use what you are teaching them, the better chance they have at remembering it.