Final Reflection

Technology provides the opportunity for students to learn in positive, constructive ways when implemented in ways that are meaningful. Utilizing technology in classrooms requires much work and preparation on the parts of both student and teacher. Once expectations are clear and goals are set, the use of technology for learning can provide students with learning opportunities that meet the needs of all students. Technology can be used to integrate all learning theories in the classroom. In reflecting upon personal theory of learning, I found that I most closely related to the cognitive and constructivist learning theories. I completing the course, my views have changed slightly. I also am eager to make immediate changes in my classroom involving the use of technology. I have also set two long-term goals that will create a positive learning environment utilizing technology.
While all four learning theories are evident in my personal theory of learning, I most closely relate to the cognitive and constructive theories. I am aware that all students are unique and come to my classroom with their own learning experiences. All that a student encounters may have an impact on his or her learning. I believe that what a child learns is a reflection of his or her environment both in and out of the classroom. In studying the different learning theories, I have realized how much or little, each is evident in my classroom. I still firmly believe that each has a place in my classroom and will work to integrate technology that represents each learning theory. The strategies and activities by which I plan to integrate technology lead to my short and long term goals.

When the new school year begins I plan to have students use the spreadsheet software to make the link between effort and achievement. I feel that this encourages students to take an active approach to learning. The use of this software enables students to take responsibility for their actions if they use it honestly. They will be able to see that when they put forth the effort, their grades will improve. I would like for students to keep a copy of their results in their portfolio throughout the year. I would like to start the year with a classroom blog that student use to post and discuss what they are reading. I may set up discussion groups for students that are reading the same book, groups by genre, or theme. I may ask students to come up with ideas for discussions. The possibilities are endless, but the point being that this will encourage the students to discuss what they are reading.

My two long-term goal changes for my instruction are to use technology more as a learning tool than teaching tool effectively and to integrate the use of technology for a variety of learning activities. In order to use technology as a learning tool, I must first look at what I am teaching and the learning needs of the students. I will begin by looking at my unit organizers to see where the use of technology will fit best and be used most effectively as learning tools. I need to look at how the technology is being used to ensure that the students are active in the use of the technology. This will be a long process and require much work and planning ahead, but I am looking forward to seeing how my students grow with these learning opportunities. Currently I do not use technology in my classroom for much more than PowerPoints, research, webquests, and typing. In the coming year, I would like to integrate the use of technology for many purposes that represent all of the learning theories discussed throughout the course. As I mentioned before, I plan to incorporate the use of blogs, but I would like to build classroom wikis, advanced organizers, voicethreads, and Google docs just to start. Once again, in order to do this, I must look at indicators to be covered and plan well ahead of time. I plan to model for students how to use the technology and teach proper computer etiquette. The more students use the technology, the more comfortable they will be when asked to use it.

I look forward to experiencing the changes in my classroom as I work with my students to integrate technology. I believe there will be challenges, but the outcomes will be positive. I believe that the use of technology will help to meet the needs of more students in my classroom.

VoiceThread

My first VoiceThread on Bullying.
http://voicethread.com/share/530535/

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

I believe that students do learn through social learning activities and that many of these learning opportunities provide for meaningful and memorable learning. I do not know that this is the best practice for all students, but there is a time and place for everything. There are students that need to have the opportunity to learn through cooperating with others while there are some that need to be provided the opportunity to explore on their own. There are moments where information needs to come directly from the teacher, while there are others where a better learning opportunity would be for students to conduct their own search for answers. However, the learning posiblilities provided by social learning activities are amazing.

The strategies presented this week provide students with opportunities to learn using technology, work in learning communities, learn from each other, build social skills, and skills needed to be successful in the 21st century workplace. All strategies allow for students to learn in through engagement in activities. Multimedia projects using rubrics and roles for groups allow for students to use technology in a meaningful way while taking responsibility for their own learning and the learning of others. When roles are assigned, this requires that all students are active participants in the learning process. Students must complete the research and share their learning to ensure the success of the entire group.

Web resources such as the JASON project have brilliant possibilities as students have the ability to work and conduct research with real researchers as they explore numerous areas of science (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Students learn the power of collaboration and teamwork while learning responsibility. Kim (2001) states, "People create their own meaning through their interactions with each other and the objects in the environment." This activity is allowing for student to communicate with professionals in the field while viewing what they are studying in real time. The use of technology is allowing students to "visit" a place they may never have the opportunity to see.

I enjoy the concept of WebQuests. While I have only used a WebQuest for students to learn about the history of newspapers, I would like to implement them in order for students to build background knowledge or explore a concept they have come across in a story. The opportunities are endless. Students may collaborate in groups created by the teacher or organize themselves by interest if the opportunity arises. Students may use the information collected to create product to be shared. This social interaction is helping to create a "fun" learning experience that students are likely to remember, making the information learned also memorable.

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