Reflection

At the beginning of this course, I constructed my personal learning theory. Now that we have reached the end of the course, my personal learning theory has not really been altered, but rather I have new ideas that I can use to teach my students based on my personal learning theory. I agree with Dr. Wolfe (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008), that students construct knowledge based on prior knowledge. I want to continue to teach in a way so that students can make many connections in their minds.

I also want to make sure that the students are actively involved in the learning process. When I use technology on a regular basis in my classroom, I want to use it to present information, but also as a learning tool. I love using PowerPoint with interactive links for websites to show videos, pictures, etc. However, two tools that I want the students to actively use are Concept Mapping and VoiceThread.

Both of these tools are learning tools in which the students can express what they have learned. When students are able to construct what they have learned in the form of a concept map, they are able to narrow their focus. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007) state that the, “advance organizers should focus on what is important rather than what is unusual” (p. 74). I want to implement the use of the Bubbl website in my classroom so that students can actively organize their thoughts on a new concept or idea.

I also love VoiceThread because the students can record their ideas but then they can also comment on others’ ideas as well. This technology reinforces the ideas of social learning theories, which states that students learn from each other.

I have two goals for my instructional practice regarding how I can integrate technology in my classroom. First of all, each quarter, I would like for my students to work on an assignment that would require them to make a presentation using some form of technology to reinforce a unit of study. It may look like a webpage, a PowerPoint, a VoiceThread, etc.. I plan to achieve this goal by creating a rubric for the students to follow so they know the expectations.

My second goal is to incorporate the use of technology for students to use as a discovery or research tool. I can achieve this by either providing my students with websites for them to explore, for example, a virtual tour, or they may have to find some good research on their own.

I have learned so much from this course. Understanding that each student learns differently is important to realize as a teacher. Using technology to reinforce various learning theories has been extremely beneficial and I am excited about using these new ideas next year in my classroom.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program two. Brain Research and Learning [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.

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

Voice Thread

I created a Voice Thread as an example for using social learning theories in the classroom. My Voice Thread is about the Roman aqueduct systems in the Roman Empire. The idea of my voice thread is to spark an interest in the aqueducts and present a project for them to research.

Here is my URL: http://voicethread.com/share/1191796/

Social Learning in Practice

This week, we are studying about cooperative learning and how that relates to the social learning theories. A social learning theory is one that involves others when learning or constructing new ideas. We can make connections when we talk with others about a topic or by participating in a group project. In our text, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007), suggest several ideas for using groups of students working together to increase their understanding of a certain topic.

Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007) emphasize that the students working together should all be actively participating in the group, which can be accomplished by assigning tasks or have them choose which task they want to complete. Technology can really be utilized with students learning together and from each other. For example, creating a web page is a great way for students to engage in the social learning theories. The teacher will assign the topic and each student is then responsible for some aspect of the page. The students can discuss ideas with each other and also share information that they have researched on their own and then they can contribute to the group.

There will always be the issue that some students do not want to participate, but with technology, there is a wider range of interests involved in the project. For example, someone that may not enjoy researching can do more of the design of the layout of the web page.

The jigsaw method is another great way for students to gather information as a group on a particular subject, and then spread their group out to made new groups, each one then teaching their subject to the new group. This is a great way for students to learn from one another, thus practicing the social learning theories.

Incorporating social learning theories in the classroom is important not only for students to learn skills that will be needed later in life, but it allows for the students to “teach” each other and share good ideas.

References

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