Learning Theory of Learning

As I look back at my personal theory of learning there is one thing I would like to change as a result of the class. I believe it is important for students to develop knowledge through experience (Lever-Duffy and McDonald, 2008, p.19). One change I would like to make is the experiences they use to discover knowledge. I would like to use more projects and lessons based on the creation of a product. This can be a paper, PowerPoint, voice thread, or any basic item in which the students created it. There are several changes I would like to make in my instructional practices. First, I will make sure that I take time to teach my students how to properly use the technology. I believe that teachers sometimes take for granted that the students know more about technology than the teacher does. I will take more time to make sure the students are fully aware of not just how to use the technology but how to use it properly for academic use. Second, I will use technology to create more engaging lessons. I believe if you have the students creating something then this will help them to be more engaged. Just as college students we learn more my writing the papers because we are the creators of it my students will be more engaged because they are creating something that is representative of themselves. Two technology tools that I would like to use with my students are voice threads and concept mapping. I believe that voice threads will improve student learning simply because they will be fun for the students to use. They provide the student will endless ways for the students in interact with the content. I believe that concept mapping will improve student learning by providing a way for students to organize information in a format that is uniquely their own. There are two long term goals changes that I would like to make to my instructional practice regarding technology integration. First, I would like to become a school leader in the integration of technology. I believe that this will help me in the classroom by providing extra training and professional training opportunities. I will obtain this goal by studying about technology and attending training sessions and completing my degree here at Walden University. Second, I would like to become more efficient at not just using technology to present information but to create engaging lessons for my students. I will obtain this goal by personally evaluating my lessons and making the necessary changes to make them better.

References
Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Voice Thread

http://voicethread.com/share/1192053/

Social-Learning

This weeks resources had many uses of technology and strategies that are applications of the Social-learning theory. One of these strategies discussed is the use of the creation of multimedia. In the example the students, in groups, had to create their own movies about a famous mathematicians. The students then had to take notes on the other groups movies. This is an example of social-learning because the students are working together to construct the common knowledge. A second example of social-learning came in web collaboratives. In the example JASON allowed students to collaborative look up information. They can actually ask an expert in that field to answer their question. This is an example of social-learning because the students are working together to construct common knowledge.

Constructivism in Practice

In this weeks resources there were many different methods that are useful in constructivism. One of the methods I explored this week was project based learning. Like the title suggest this method uses projects to help the students learn the information. This is directly linked to constructivism because the students are having to construct the project and they are having to construct the answers to the main question through research. Another method that I explored this week was wikis. These are created by the students directly. These are great examples of constructivism because again the students are having to construct the wiki. Not only are they providing the information they are also having to do the research to make sure the information is accurate.

Using Cognitive Tools to Enhance Learning Experiences

In chapter 6 and 8 of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works there are several strategies that align with the cognitive learning theories. One of the strategies used is the use of cues while questioning students. In the example the teacher would use an essential question to spark background knowledge(Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p. 78). This is characteristic of a cognitive learning theories because the teachers tries to build upon previous knowledge to make sure the information is storied in long-term memory. Another of the tools used in this chapter is the use of graphic organizers. This is linked to cognitive learning theories because again it is a way to organize information so that the brain can easily recall the information. Often students know the information but are not able to find it. The graphic organizer puts the information in a form that will maximize the frequency the student is able to recall information. Thomas Moore

References

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Skinner and Reinforcing Effort

In chapter 8 of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that works, is a rubric that students can use to show the correlation between effort and achievement. In this particular activity the students are the grade themselves on 5 different categories based on a rubric given to them to the teacher. This is connected to Skinner's behaviorist theory because it gives them a positive reinforcement for giving more effort. The information also acts as an immediate positive reinforcement of behavior. These are the reasons I believe the behaviorist theory connect with this weeks readings.

Reflective Essay

In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills?

During this course we have studied many different types of technology and how to implement them into the classroom. In doing this course I have developed the skills necessary to use and implement podcasts, wikis, and blogs into my professional life and in the classroom. Not only have we developed the skills to use these technologies but we have also developed the technical skills needed to use different types of software associated with those types of technologies.

In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of technology integration with the aim of increasing student achievement?

There are many things one can do to expand his or her knowledge of technology integration. One of the most important aspects of this is to increase student achievement. One of the ways I believe that I will be able to increase my knowledge is by continuing to use professional blogs online. Another way that I can increase this knowledge is by using my colleagues to gather information. The last way that I will do this is by attending professional seminars on the subject matter and implementing it into the classroom

Set two long-term goals (within two years) for transforming your classroom environment into a place where technology is integrated seamlessly to meet instructional goals and increase student achievement. How do you plan to accomplish these goals?

One of my long-term goals for integrating technology into the classroom is by having my class create wikis throughout the course. I plan on accomplishing this by making it part of their final grade and spending time working on it weekly. Another one of my long-term goals is to use research on a weekly basis. I plan to teach my students the importance of blogs and wikis as other sources of information.