Course Reflections

Well, another course comes to a close and I am that much closed to finishing my masters. When I first began this course I was excited about all of the opportunities these technology skills would offer my third graders. Now, although I am still excited about the technology, I have found out that I will not be teaching third grade but rather kindergarten. All of the fantastic ideas and planning I have done in my head is out the window. 

I hope to use the GAME plan process to work on creating lessons in the future. I think that this process is a simple way to incorporate all of the needed items into a lesson plan. I wish I could have created lessons during this course in which I would be able to use, but I plan on using what I have learned to create new plans for my little ones. 

Since I am starting all of my plans from scratch, I plan on incorporating as much technology as my kids can handle. It is going to be a change of pace since I will have to ensure that my students understand how to use technology. Not to mention, the school I have transferred to uses all Apple products which I know nothing about! This year will be full of challenges but I believe that this course has helped me to prepare to bring these children into the newest era of education. 

GAME Plan Progress

As of this week, my progress feels slow because my students were not available to meet. Although, I have personally been working on new things I will use with my group of students and their parents in the upcoming school year. I have created documents detailing out to our parents the information regarding the technology which I normally use within our daily classroom work. For example, it includes directions to access our class website, our class blog, as well as using Gizmos (our science technology tool). I believe that this will help them feel more prepared to be involved with what the students are working on. 


I have also started researching more options for teacher and parental involvement within district wide technology opportunities. I hope that through this I will inspire other teachers to increase the amount of technology they use in their classrooms. I am beginning to find the resources I need although I am not yet where I would like to be with resources. I hope that in the next week I will find the national and district wide blogs and groups I will become a part of. 


I have not encountered any new questions as of yet although I would like to continue working on building the plan so that my goals and actions will be the most beneficial to the students. 

Carrying out my GAME plan

After reviewing my GAME plan I realized that in order to complete the plan in its entirety I will need a variety of resources. First, I will need to provide my students parents with access to the proper internet sources. In order to do so, I need ample computer access. By doing this I automatically improve my students capabilities of being successful. I will also need the assistance of the library specialist to help with resources, another teacher to assist in forum development and video conferencing.

I have taken several steps in years past to begin to integrate parental support into my technology curriculum. I have provided parents with seminars to allow them to understand the tools we use in the classroom. My next step is to understand the national technology standards in order to incorporate them into my work.

I hope to be able to find the information and acquire any skills needed before the beginning of the next school year.

GAME Plan for NETS-T Indicators

There are several indicators in the International Society of Technology in Education that I would want to improve on, although there are two in particular. The first one is under the third standard, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, to collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). The second indicator is under the fifth standard, Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership, which states participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). In order to improve these indicators, I plan on implementing the following GAME plan.

Goals

• Increase the access for parents and community members to the internet and computers in general in order to help student success.
• Begin participating in district wide initiatives to improve teacher education and use of technology in the classroom.

Actions

• Work with parents directly to increase their use, access to, and understanding of the internet and tools on it that help students to improve their academic success.
• Participate in national and international technology groups and/or forums to improve understanding of how technology is used in other schools.

Monitor

• Monitor progress of parental and community involvement in technology based projects and initiatives.
• Work with district members to improve national and international relationships.

Extend

• Invite parents into the classroom on a day where the class will have the laptops in order to allow all parents to work with their students on the technology we use in the classroom.
• Work with other schools on video-conferencing and chatting to allow students to work with others.

Resources:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful

classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards

for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

Using Technology Across the Content Areas

I'm looking forward to continuing to work on my blog for this course, EDUC-6731, and learning how to better use technology in all content areas.

Keep Reading :)

Reflection

About 8 weeks ago, I wrote the following as a part of my personal learning theory:

Students learn in very unique ways; each student I have encountered in my teaching career has been very different and has had an exceptional learning style. In my personal theory of learning, I believe that student learning is a complex process and requires the use of many components of the brain (visual, audio, etc) as well as incorporating different instructional practices. Learning theories are complex ideas which require a lot of experience and personal knowledge of working with students; because my experience as a teacher is limited to my short year of teaching, I believe that my theory is simply based on my research of other theories which have been developed by others. As I continue to grow as a teacher, my personal theory on learning will also continue to grow and become more complex.

Today, after much further exploration of learning theories and technology tools, I believe that I still agree with what I believed then, except to a deeper extent. By that, I mean that I know understand what those theories that I referred to mean. Furthermore, my learning theory continues to add an incredible amount of technology into it because I am developing a better understanding of new ways to incorporate it into my lessons. I am also realizing, through assessments and observation that the technology keeps students engaged and creates deeper understanding of information.

Throughout this course I have continued to add more and more technology into my everyday lesson plans. Upon my return to the classroom from medical leave, I plan on implementing the use of wikis and blogs into my lessons for students to use as a reflection tool. I also plan on using my interactive white board more often as well as having students use it as a presentation tool. My technology and instructional strategies and tools are growing and I look forward to using them in the classroom.

Looking ahead, I plan on integrating student blogs to use as a reflective journal where they must respond to each other as a means of student growth. I also hope to begin using the student set of laptops and/or the computer lab to enhance student technology skills as well as interaction during lessons.
All in all, I have loved this course and growing on my learning theory, instructional strategies and technology tools. I look forward to continueing to grow as a teacher and enhance my students' learning ability through the use of technology.

Social Learning

There are an infinite number of things that can be integrated using the social learning theories. When students are presented the opportunities to use technology as a part of the lesson, they thrive on the determination to attain that goal. My students are always working towards the opportunity of using the computers and when I provide them the incentive of using technology as a part of their assignment, they are extremely motivated to complete. When social learning and technology are combined, students are more engaged in the learning experience and, in turn, create a deeper memory of what is learned.

Enhancing the use of the social learning theory will also promote active cooperative learning for the students while still incorporating necessary skills in order to reach their goal. The social learning theory promotes active, engaged learning for students while building relationships.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program eight: Social learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

Voice Thread

Sorry for my late contribution this week, I have unfortunately been in the hospital. Please take the time to view my voice thread and share your thoughts. 

Thanks! 

http://voicethread.com/share/2696165/

Constructivism in Practice

This week, we reviewed constructivism and constructinism learning. I believe that in order to successfully apply constrinism practices, you must have proper constructivist learning theories in place. The two theories are very similiar, although, in my opinion, are more correlative and should be applied together. Constructionism deals with the students use of knowledge in order to create some type of project whereas constructivism plays a bigger role in the retention of student knowledge. (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).

Students can use technology as a tool for organizing and building data bases. This type of information organization plays a vital role in constructivist theories. The use of technolgy can enhace the lesson and provide students with a greater learning opportunity. Students are able to use the information in their schema to develop new ideas and create projects.

In my classroom, I believe that I am continously applying different learning theories in order to assist my students learning. By using these theories in conjunction with each other, it prepares my students with a better foundation of proven learning theories.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program seven: Constructionist and constructivist learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

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

Cognitivism in Practice

Using cognitive learning theories helps students remember and build better long term memory. Through the text Using Technology with Classroom Instruction the Works I have developed new strategies and increased my knowledge on current strtegies that I use that will help me create better instructional plans that will lead to better information retention.

 

One strategy that I use frequently and plan to continue to implement in my classroom are advanced organizeres (such as K-W-L charts). I use this type of chart and other similar organizers to help open prior knowledge which helps students make connections. It also helps students realize what they want to learn about the topic which sparks excitement and interest in the topic prior to missing learning. 

 

I also developed interest in using spreadsheets and other brainstorming software to help create more advanced organizers which can also help students create a deeper understanding of the information.

 

All in all, I believe that it is important for us, as teachers, to create experiences through technology that will help our students to retain the information. When they are engaged, which is more often achieved through interactive activities, students are more likely to acquire and integrate learning.

 

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program five. Cognitive learning theory [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

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

Behaviorism in Practice - Application 2

Behaviorism is everyone which in turns means we are constantly applying behavior theories. In continuing to assess the way behaviorist theories integrate into our ever-evolving instruction, I continue to support my theory that behaviorism definitely needs to continue to have a place in our classrooms. These methods are proven and despite our current adaptations to include and apply these theories to our new technology, the fact of the matter is that they work and should be continued to be used.

"The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students understandings of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning." (Pitler, 2007, pg.155) This statement made me really think about how my students view learning. I believe that if we continue to enhance their learning experience by molding behavior into positive learners who are willing to use methods necessary (such as technology and research) to find and develop skills which allow them to become successful people. It is important for students to understand the behaviors required to become successful. I believe that reinforcement, whether positive or negative, is necessary in order for students to perform and continue working towards the desired behaviors.

The idea of homework has greatly changed since the days of when we were in school. Homework is designed to be a continued effort and an extension of the classroom work. Pitler et al. (2007) observe how “technology facilitates homework and practice by providing a wealth of resources for learning outside the classroom, making it easy for students to work on collaborative homework assignments and providing ‘drill and practice’ resources that help students refine their skills” (p.189).  The integration of technology into the students homework is a great way to continue enhancing the skills being worked in the classroom. Although, it is also hard for teachers to depend on this type of homework because many students do not have equal technology opportunities at home as if they were in an equal classroom. Because of this, I have been limited on the amount of technology being integrated into my students homework.

In the end, applying behaviorist theories to continue to mold behavior through reinforcement efforts and homework skills will allow us to have a more well rounded student experience. It is important for us, as teachers, to continue to adapt our instructional plans to help better meet the needs of our 21st century learners.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program four: Behaviorist learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

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

New Course

I am looking forward to begin my journey reflecting and analyzing my new course content. This new course will be working on bridging learning theory with technology. I am excited about the new knowledge I will gain from this course. Look for new posts coming soon.