Personal Theory of Learning

I think my beliefs have stayed the same, but are now more defined. My original thoughts were that students gain knowledge from prior knowledge, students have different learning styles, and follow the social constructivism view to learn in group settings. After this course, I still feel comfortable with those thoughts, but I have understood that we use parts of all the theories at some point. For example, behaviorism has students track their own efforts as we do with multiplication facts. In addition, my schools’ management approach rewards positive behavior and has consequences fit the behavior.

I definitely wish I could easily integrate all the pieces of technology right away. At this point in the year, we are waiting to get our four laptop carts fixed, which puts a damper on the use of technology. However, I definitely want to bring in the voicethread. This presents a great way learn from others too. Another tool I would like to use is a concept map. It is an easy way to organize information for students. With a SMARTboard, it will be a great way to have students move information around on their own.

One long-term goal I have is in integrating technology is finding more interactive pieces for my students to use on the SMARTboard. We just got the interactive boards this year and I have struggled to find time to build more interactive lessons with the students. I have mainly been using it as a teacher-directed approach. To achieve this, I need to cut out time to create one lesson each week for the students. I want to start by using a word sort program for the students spelling words. The second long-term goal is to create multimedia presentations with the students. This is something that I would like to use cross-curricular. To reach this goal I will create a template for the students or at least think of some areas that we need a fun project. Over the summer, I can get the materials all ready and have it for the up coming school year.

http://voicethread.com/share/651719/

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

Social learning theory is working and connecting with others to construct knowledge (Laureate, 2009). There are many different ways to connect students to gain an understanding in their learning with technology. “Multimedia is a natural environment for cooperative learning” (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K., 2007). This environment gives tasks where students have specific roles and responsibilities. In this way, they need to use each person in order to get the project finished. Everyone brings something different to the group. This would be a great way to end a unit by bringing all the learning together. There are also WebQuests. This is a great way to help students focus on the “information rather than looking for it (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K., 2007). It also enables the teacher to add higher order thinking to the project. One collaborative program that was not mentioned is the wiki. I started using the wiki this year with my students. We started the year interviewing another student in the class and posting the interview on the wiki. I would like to continue using it as a place students’ add updates to what is going in our classroom. The struggle with it is that only one student can make changes at a time. All of these pieces help students gain an understanding of the subject area by being involved in their learning. Social Learning Theory uses interactions while being engaged in constructing something (Laureate, 2009). Getting students involved keeps them from being lazy, and gets them motivated to learn.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). 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