Final Reflection

This course has required me to learn about new technologies that I can take back and teach my students.  It has also forced me to examine some of my current teaching practices and strive to make them better.  These two things alone will improve my interactions with my students thus making me a better teacher.

My initial theory about learning follows Constructivism theories.  I believe students learn best by being active in their learning and by being given a chance to practice on multiple levels. The more you engage a student the more likely the students will remember (Kottler, Zehm,& Kottler, 2005). I understand how students learn and develop. I plan my instruction based on accessing prior knowledge and building on information as I plan lessons. It is my belief that if students are guided in constructing their own views then it will be more meaningful and thus connect to their prior knowledge.  I still believe this.  Much of the learning in this course supports and suggests that allowing students to explore is the best form of teaching and learning. This course has given me a better understanding of the importance of allowing students to discover their own learning and how that leads to long term memory. 
The immediate adjustments I plan on making to my instruction are using the interactive whiteboard in a more interactive sense.  I know that sometimes I just use it as a presentation tool.  I am aware that my students are more engaged when they know they will be using the board and I need to give them the chance to do that more often.  I also need to allow my students the time to enjoy technology as well.  I know there are numerous games that students can play online to practice math facts or grammar for example.  I do not make time for this in our schedule and I think the students would benefit from this especially since summer vacation is coming up.  It is my hope that the students will utilize these games on summer vacation. 
The two new technology tools that I am very excited about integrating into my classroom are Voicethread and Spidescribe.  VoiceThread is a way to allow students to view information that they can comment on via text or sound.  I believe this is a way to meet diverse learners.  Struggling students are given a chance here to use their voice instead of having to write it all down.  It gives them a chance to have a sort of conversation.  I believe that the possibilities are endless with Voicethread.  My students will have many ideas about a way to utilize this tool when I introduce it to them.  The other tool is Spiderscribe.  This is a  tool that can be used for concept mapping.  I believe that concept mapping is important for students to do because it shows them the connections among a subject.  It also allows the students to make those connections.  Making connections is essential in long term learning. 
I have set two goals for the following school year.  One of the goals is to set up a class wiki where the students can add information about Indiana.  I envision this as a class wiki where we add many pages over the course of the school year so that we can access and use it for various purposes.  I am going to implement this goal by becoming better familiar with the wiki.  I am going to spend time this summer finding sites that students may browse for information.  I will need to allow my class the opportunity to navigate the wiki.  I currently have four computers available in my room for use and will need to determine how to make those computers available to all the students.  Another goal of mine is to use the site edmodo in a more educational manner.  I created an edmodo site for my students this year.  It is sort of like facebook for our class.  I enjoy reading and participating in the conversations that the students have on there.  I do post questions and we take surveys, but I have really allowed the students freedom to use it as a social tool.  I would like to create a more educational site with my class next year.  I will invite the parents to participate and use this in place of the class web page that we have.  It will be a place where the students and parents can check calendars, add pictures, see what we are learning, and participate in our discussions.  I really like that I am in control of what is posted and that no one else can be apart or view our page unless they have a password.  I believe that my class is more community centered now that we have this site set up. 
This course has forced me to evaluate myself as a teacher.  I have learned that there are numerous opportunities for students to be using technology tools in our classroom.  I am thankful to have the chance to learn about these new and exciting tools.  I think the biggest problem I face is finding the time to explore the tools in order to teach the students how to use them.  Then I remember that I should allow the students to explore the tools on their own and that will be a learning opportunity for them.  Bottom line is that students need to be familiar and exposed to the technology tools available to them.  This is the future of learning and it is my job to get them ready for the future. 

Kottler, J. A., Zehm, Stanley J., Kottler, E. (2005).  On Being a Teacher: The Human       Dimension. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press

Social Learning Theory

I believe the social learning theory is another effective way of educating students.  Michael Orey reports social learning as a way for students to learn through interactions with others.  The theory suggests that students will be impacted by the social interactions that occur while working with their peers.  One way the theory is put to the test is when students must teach their peers.  An example discussed was when medical students could articulate a solution to a problem, but not actually apply their learning to solve the problem.  Michael Orey described this as situated cognition.  The social learning theory is one way to help dissolve this issue as peers are responsible for teaching one another while the teacher acts as a facilitator. 

The Internet makes the social learning theory more suitable in classrooms today.  There are many resources on the Internet that allow students to work collaboratively on projects via the Internet.  Technology can facilitate group interactions while providing structure for group tasks, and allows members of groups to communicate even if they are not face to face.  Technology allows schools to service students at anytime and facilitate their growth into lifelong learners. 

There were several resources listed this week.  One that I am familiar with and have used in the past is WebQuests.  WebQuests are activities that allow students in a class or from different locations to work on a project or tackle a particular problem.  They focus on using information rather than finding it.  I designed a WebQuest for sixth grade students that took them on an African safari.  The students had to gather the supplies they needed and then change routes as they encountered issues with the animals.  This is definitely a task to be taken on in groups.  The students worked together to complete the webQuest.

Social sites were listed as a resource as well.  I have began to use edmodo in my class for my students.  Only my students and their parents are allowed to log into our account.   We began to use it as a place for discussion about books.  We have taken surveys on this site.  Students have shared accomplishments with one another.  I believe that our class is more of community since we began this site.   I like the way the students drive one another on this site.  There are times during classroom discussions that I must stifle the conversation for lack of time, but on this site they can carry one the conversation.  At times, I have posted a comment from class that day just to continue the conversation.

Social learning theory is like the other theories.  It has a place in my classroom with behaviorism and constructivism.  They are all embedded into my classroom.  I believe to reach all students you need a variety of teaching styles.

Voice Thread
https://voicethread.com/?#u2624020

References
Pitler H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Social Learning Theories. [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory Instruction and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author

Instructional Strategies for Constructivism and Constructionism

Both constructivism and constructionism theories deal with students creating their own meaning by constructing it themselves.  This involves the students being very active in learning.  Teachers are more of facilitators in this type of environment which can be very challenging at times. 

This weeks resources focused on how technology can help students with this type of learning environment.  Michael Orey suggested allowing students to create meaning through the use of PowerPoint.  Turning students loose to research information and then organize it in a manner that is presentable can be a very challenging task.  I believe students need to be taught to learn in this manner.  They need to be shown proper ways to research and organize information.  This is where the challenge happens in classrooms.  Teachers think they must spend so much time teaching content standards that they do not take the time to teach these other important skills.  I realized the hard way that my students were ready for this type of learning.  I allowed my students to research an area in the state of Indiana and make a brochure to persuade others to visit the area.  The students were engaged in the learning and were teaching each other how to find information.  Most all of the class was active in this process.  I was surprised at their creativity with this learning activity.  I have also allowed my students to make news broadcasts telling everyone about the upcoming weather and how to stay safe.  This was after reading books in our reading workshop time about weather.  I gave them a rubric of expectations and turned them loose for four days to prepare.  The ideas they came up with were more creative and brilliant than I ever could have created.  It also built on 21st century skills of collaboration which proves to difficult for fourth graders with no exact direction.

 It is difficult for some of my students to not be given very specific directions, but I am learning there is great value in me taking a step back and having them create their own meanings.  I am fortunate enough to be able to give my students these opportunities with technology.  It concerns me though the students who are not fortunate to be able to learn through this manner. 

  References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (2010) Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories.

Cognitive Learning

Cognitive Learning happens in three stages. Students engage in sensory input.  This information is stored in the short term memory or working memory.  Then once it has been put to use enough or connections have been made the information becomes stored in long term memory.  This is the ultimate goal in terms of learning.  The trouble with this type of learning is that not all students are going to make the same connections thus not all will store the new learning in long term memory.  This is where the use of organizers is beneficial to all students.

The idea of concept mapping is not new to education.  It is a great way to organize thoughts.  The use of technology in concept mapping is a new idea to me.  Concept maps allow students to make a dual coded connection.  Michael Orey reports that dual coded connections are more likely to create long term memory.  Students will get the benefit of visual and text with concept mapping.  I believe concept maps would be very beneficial in the beginning for introduction of a unit or at the end to summarize the learning.   

Graphic organizers can be used in many ways to introduce new information.  This would be one way to tap into the learners background knowledge and possibly expand it for working memory to take place. 
Using technology as a tool for introducing new materials will spark interest in students.  Most students are familiar with technology well beyond that of their teachers.  Allowing students to engage in the creation of concept maps and graphic organizers will likely produce long term memory. 

Behaviorism

When I initially think of behaviorism, I think of what some people would call the "old school" way of teaching.  This comes to mind for two reasons: one is B.F. Skinner's idea of operant conditioning.  This means that we reinforce the desired behaviors with praise or reward.   An example would be rewarding the students who turn in all their work on time with free time. The hope would be that this would promote this positive behavior thus increasing the learning taking place. The other side of this theory is to ignore or most often punish the undesirable behaviors as a way of trying to decrease the behavior.  An example would be taking away recess for a student who did not complete their work.  I believe this is used in some form in most classrooms.  I know that I try to use praise and reward as an effective method, but sometimes consequence and punishment are used also.  Both can be an effective way to manage behavior in the class.  The second idea of behaviorism is that drill and practice are the best methods to teach skills. 

The drill and practice of skills is particularly important when thinking of remediation of students.  Michael Orey states that students are sent to practice skills on a computer because they have not mastered the skills in the classroom.  He notes there is a negative connotation with this.   The resources provided this week are drill and practice sites that students could use to gain expected skills for the classroom.  I believe the skills that could be practiced are valuable to students.  Some of them like math facts or grammar rules are skills that I think students would benefit from the practice and drill method of behaviorism.  I think students would enjoy the ease and simplicity of the sites while still mastering an important skill.  I also believe that this type of learning could be used for summer practice and practice at home.

All teachers want students to learn.  It is our job to be certain to find the best method for each child.  I believe a variety of methods is most effective in meeting the needs of students.  The sites listed follow the behaviorism method of teaching through practice and drill.  I believe there is room for this in the classroom, but do not believe it should be the only method of teaching any skill. 

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011a). Behaviorist Learning Theory [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory Instruction and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author

Smith, K. (1999). The behaviourist orientation to learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm

 

Final Reflection

This course has been the most beneficial course I have taken.  The requirements for the course have pushed me to leave my comfort zone and work with technology in ways that I had never dreamed I would.  Not only has it sparked my interest in technology it has also helped my students.  They are excited about the new changes happening in our classroom.  I have incorporated a wiki for the intermediate teachers in our building.  My students are blogging and I am going to begin a wiki for our classroom as well. 

I am finding that although I am a learner also in the process of using the technology tools the students are still receptive to the changes.  They are showing me new tools and are excited about what is happening in our class.  Their enthusiasm for learning pushes me to incorporate more and more technology into our daily class.  It feels good to know that I am giving my students the best possible tools for learning and they are enjoying their learning more and more.  Providing students with 21st Century Skills is very important to me.  I want to prepare them to the best of my ability. 

Technology has also made the students be responsible for their own learning.  They are posting to discussions, making weather reports that we video taped, and they are working in groups to create rather than listen.  I have found that I am more of a facilitator or coach in the process than the leader.  According to David Hall being able to collaborate and communicate is a necessity for students since the jobs of the future will have employees all over the world working through the use of technology.

I have changed a few things since the beginning of this course.  I make an effort everyday to use technology in an exciting way whether it be the Internet for research, finding a video to expand an idea, or allowing the students to use the interactive whiteboard to do Math.  I am beginning to have students work more in groups to collaborate on projects than I did in the beginning of the year.  There are always ones who cannot get along very well and those are the students I try to be certain are getting along because they need to develop the skill more than anyone. 

One long term goal for my classroom is to create and utilize a wiki for the class.  I want students to have a place where they can log their work they have found on famous Hoosiers.  I think this would be such an accomplishment for the students to see at the end of the year.  It would also enforce collaboration and communication skills.  I need to teach the students how to use the wiki and then require a posting or two a week to maintain it.  Another goal of mine is create student portfolios that are electronic.  I think this would  be a way to showcase work as well.  Each student is given an account on our server.  Students would have a place to store their work.  I know that as a writer I rarely write with pen and paper anymore so I would like to teach students about the writing process with the computer in mind.  Most often my students do not enjoy the writing process because of revision and editing.  I think the use of the  computer may change this fact. 

Technology with fourth graders

I was surprised to find out how many hours my students spend using technology.  They spend more time playing video games or games on the internet than they do using social media sites, instant messaging, or text messaging.   I wonder if it has something to do with the age of the students.

http://soundcloud.com/tmcnew/tech-with-fourth-graders/s-mmji3