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.