My original reflections from my classroom and learning style are easily paralleled to the constructivist learning theory. My personal theory is centered on facilitating the active learner. As Orey stated, “You want to have your children be active in the learning process, regardless of which approach you take” (Laureate Education, n.d.) He also spoke of immersive experiences being the most authentic and meaningful learning experiences. It is my goal as a teacher to focus my instruction around this idea. If I can immerse my students into the lesson, content, or curriculum through experiences, I offer them the opportunity to build connections and more depth of knowledge. Inside my third-grade math and science classroom, students are given the opportunity to learn through experiences and extend their knowledge and understanding by becoming involved in project-based applications and real-world scenarios. Although I have not made many significant modifications to my personal theory, I have developed a stronger understanding of how the mind works and also how I can supplement this theory with some amazing technology resources and practices. I have extended my “Teacher Toolbox” with many technology tools that work well alongside a constructivist approach. Such tools as VoiceThread, concept mapping, and blogging are new ways I plan to extend this theory of learning inside my classroom. I plan to use VoiceThread for students to present their research and then offer interactive feedback and questioning between groups. I also plan to incorporate a blog response system for having students read some non-fiction science articles, posting a question or response prompt, and then having them blog their responses and give feedback to each other. As we choose these new tools, we should continually evaluate them. We should consider Orey’s discussion and differentiation between instructional technology tools and learning technology tools as we do this. (Laureate Education, n.d.). Instructional technology tools are those tools that a teacher can use to aid in her teaching. Learning technology tools are those that students use to enhance their learning. I think a simple way for teachers to evaluate their incorporation of technology and its enhancement of student learning is by reflecting after such lessons and simply asking “How did my students benefit from this?” and “How did this enhance their learning?” There are so many technology resources out there, but we should select them wisely on basis of their impact on our children’s education. One long-term goal I have for transforming my classroom is obtaining devices to create a 1:1 student technology ratio. I am constantly working to complete grants through Donor’s Choose to obtain funding for this technology. I already have 6 iPads and would like to continue by attaining 18 more for a class set. I also have 2 touchscreen laptops, and I would like to acquire 4 more so that when we do group work, each group could have access to a laptop. Donor’s Choose works off of a point system. You receive points by completing grants and then following up by posting pictures and submitting thank you notes. To accomplish my goal, I will complete follow-up steps as soon as possible after receiving funding to ensure that I receive points and can upload my next project without experiencing any downtime between projects. My second goal is to teach my students about our class blog so that we can transition to it being a student blog rather than a teacher blog (as mentioned above). I would like to implement a question of the week for my blog where students can respond by posting. I would also like to have student showcases where they actually write the blog posts, rather than me writing them all. This would require me to set up accounts for each student to comment. I believe to accomplish this goal, I would do better by beginning the year with this practice rather than trying to implement it with only a few months to go. I could see this working by having students create their accounts with their parents as they come in on registration day. This would ensure that their parents are aware of this practice and also involve them in the process. My goal is to put this into action by August 2015. I will definitely have to make sure I have all ipads and laptops readily available at registration so that I can attend to multiple families during busy times of registration. Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Instructional theory vs. learning theory [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Technology: Instructional tool vs. learning tool [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
1 Comment
Tameka Crook
4/19/2015 04:33:47 am
I agree wholeheartedly. There are lots of technology resources but are are not age appropriate, have correct and honest information and some allow you to use the basic site and must purchase the site to get any benefit.
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My dream is to create a 21st Century classroom that encourages collaboration, integrates technology, and promotes thinking deeply.
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