Final Reflection

As this course comes to a close I have taken some time to reflect on how my theory on learning and teaching has changed as a result of the knowldge I have gained.  I feel that students need to be somewhat in control of their learning and be able to make connections to what they are learning.  When learning has meaning to students they tend to be more interested in what they are learning and as a result have a better chance of remembering the information being learned.  I feel that the most succesful classrooms are primarily student centered where students are actively engaged and interactive throughout the day.  This makes for enriching, successful learning environments.  This course taught me just how important it is for students to be actively engaged and interactive in the classroom.  Educational technology is a great way to keep students engaged and interactive.  Through educational technology students can connect and communicate with other students and teachers all over the world boradening their horizons and making them aware of world issues.  In addition, they will become more informed of their surroundings and the different cultures that surround them.  I think that through the use of educational technology students will become more accepting of diversity and it will lessen the ignorance some people have to the melting pot of cultures we live in.

As a result of this course I plan to integrate technology into my classroom immediately.  I plan to start this school year off with a class blog for parents and students.  I also plan to use Voice Threads in my classroom as a way to introduce lessons in a new and interactive way.  It is my goal to use educational technology to make my classroom interactive and keep my students actively engaged.

Two technology tools that I would like to use with my students are Voice Threads and interactive white boards.  I think that these tools will support and enhance student learning because they will provide students with 21st century skills as well as keep students actively engaged.  I feel like a broken record when I say, "keep students actively engaged and interactive," but that enhances student learning and success.  Incorproating Voice Threads, interactive white boards, and other forms of educational technology into the classroom will take the focus off of the teacher and put it where it should be...on the students.  Giving students the opportunity to be in control of their learning will keep them interested and motivated in learning, therefore leading to success.

Before this course I stuck to the basic forms on instruction such as drill and practice, homework, recite and recall, etc.  In recent years I started integrating collaborative learning into my classroom as well. After this course, I realized how important and beneficial cooperative learning actually is and I plan to use it much more in the future.  I won't give up on drill and practice and homework because I feel that they are an important part of a student's education and definitely enhance learning, however, using the instructional strategies that I have learned in this course and others that I haev taken can only make me a better educator and lead to higher success rates among my students.  My repertoire of instructional strategies has grown as a result of this course and it is my hope that it will continue to grow and I continue to be a life long learner and educator.

As I continue to grow as an educator I would like to make educational a part of our daily classroom routine.  I want my students to use technology everyday the way we do calendar everyday; it's easy and can be done without even thinking about it.  I would also like to be able to communicate with my students and their parents more through technology such as blogs.  I plan to start this school year with a classroom blog in palce and I hope that it catches on with my students and their parents so I can keep the lines of communication open and let my parents know what it going on in our classroom on a daily basis.  This will also help me acheive my first long-term goal, which is make technology a part of our daily classroom routine.  I would like my students to blog about books they are reading or educational web sites that they enjoy.  I think that the use of educational technology such as blogs can create a close classroom community, keeping every class member and they families involved and interactive.

In conclusion, it is my goal to continue to incorporate educational technology into my classroom to create a modern, up-to-date, learning environment for my students.  Through the use of educational technology I hope to enhance student learning by keeping my students engaged and interactive.  In addition, educational technology will help me to meet the needs of diverse learners increasing the success rate of all of my students, which I think is every teachers ultimate goal!

Voice Thread

The link to my Voice Thread is voicethread.com/share/2164589/

This was the first Voice Thread I ever created so it may be a little choppy, but overall I think I did well for a first timer.  I did my Voice Thread on the life-cycle of a frog because that is an area we study in 1st grade and my students always love that unit.  Let me know what you think!

Social Learning

Collaborative and cooperative learning theories are "buzz" words in education and it is our job as teachers to bring those learning theories to life in our classroom.  Collaborative and cooperative learning fall under an broad umbrella term we call social learning.  Social learning theory is based on Albert Badura's idea that people learn by observing others.  In education students are always observing and imitating their teachers and peers which supports the theory of social learning.


Collaborative learning gives students the opportunity to work with their peers.  This teaches students how to cooperate and be contributing members of a group.  This skills will follow them throughout life and teach them how to be contributing members of their family, of society, and of the workplace.  In addition, collaborative learning teaches students teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, compromise, and sharing of knowledge and information.  According to Dr. Michael Orey when a person teaches others he/she develops a deeper understanding of the content.


When I think of social learning I think of students communicating with one another and working together towards a final product or goal.  This week's learning resources described several educational tools that give students the opportunity to learn socially.  All of us can put our students in learning groups and have the groups complete a task whether it be long or short term.  We can also group our students in a variety of ways including students who are on the same academic level and students of varying academic levels.  Group work definitely supports social learning theory by encouraging students to collaborate with their peers and work together to successfully complete a task.  Throughout the assignment students will support and encourage one another to work hard and get the job done.  Sometimes the support and encouragement from peers is more meaningful than that from teachers and will encourage students to continue working hard.  In addition, it will give students motivation and confidence which can last a lifetime.


Not only is group work an example of social learning by educational technology can also make social learning easier and give students the opportunity to expand their horizons and communicate with students and teachers all over the world.  Educational blogs are a great way for students to communicate with others and share information.  Several educational sites were suggested this week that ensure successful and safe communication for educatioal purposes.  I have never used any of the sites but I look forward to trying them out.  These sites include ePals, Keypals Club International, and Intercultural E-mail Classroom Connections (IECC).  All of these sites give students the opportunity to collaborate with teachers and students all over the world.


Group work along with online social networking all support and correlate with the theories of social learning.  Students have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with one another to provide and successful and stimulating learning experience.


REFERENCES:
http://www.cramster.com/definitions/social-learning-theory/853


Video.  Social Learning Theories.  Laureate, Inc. (2010).


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

Constructivist and Constructionist Learning Theories

The learning theories described in this week's resources were very hands-on and interactive.  They use educational technology to help students problem solve and hypothesize.  The constructionist learning theory states that "people can learn best when they build and external artifact or something they share with others,"  as described by Dr. Michael Orey in the video, "Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories."  This example shows a strong correlation between instructional strategies and the principals of constructionist and constructivist learning theories.

When students are required to use educational technology to complete a task most often they result with an artifact or document that they have created over the course of the project.  The students are engaged in the creation of the artifacts throughout the duration of the project which is a perfect example of the constructionist learning theory.  One example of how technology can keep students engaged in the construction of an artifact was given by Dr. Orey.  He explained that allowing students to create their own PowerPoint provides them with the opportunity to be engaged and create their own personal artifact(s).  Dr. Orey explains that in constructionism "students can use tools and technologies to create artifacts in order to achieve equilibration, which is the process of achieving a balance between differences in external reality and one's current beliefs and understanding, or schema."

With regard to constructivism, the correlation among instructional strategies is weaker.  Once again, Dr. Orey defined constructivism as individuals constructing his or her own meaning as a result of individual experiences.  We all create our own meaning and ideas as a result of individual experiences we go through and those ideas may determine how and why we complete projects and artifacts.  Therefore, each student's artifact will be different and created differently due to his/her background knowledge and individual experiences.  However, each student will go through the same process of gathering information and creating his/her artifact to successfully complete the project; constructionism.

In conclusion, the correlation between the instructional strategies described this week and constructionism is strong due to the hands-on, interactive strategies aimed at the students constructing some sort of artifact.  The correlation between the instructional strategies and constructivism is weaker because constructivism is a theory based on the individual actively constructing his/her own meaning based on personal experiences.

REFERENCES:

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


Video.  Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories.  Laureate.  (2010).

How Instructional Strategies Correlate with the Principals of Cognitive Learning Theory

Post your thoughts on how the instructional strategies described in the resources you explored this week correlate with the principles of cognitive learning theory.

This weeks resources described instructional startegies such as cues, questions, and advance organizers, and summarizing and note taking.  In the video, "Cognitive Learning Theories,"  Dr. Michael Orey describes the information processing model and our short and long term memories.  Dr. Orey states that our long term memory is full of declarative memory such as facts and information; episodic memory, meaning events in our lives; and procedural memory, or how to do things.  Orey goes on to say that elboration is the primary mechanism for storing information in our long term memory.  Elaboration is basically making connections to help one remember and recall information stored in their long term memory.

Concept Mapping tools are a great instructional strategy that allows learners to organize and outline ideas and helps learners visualize connections.  Those connections are the same ones that help learners remember and recall information that Dr. Orey called elaboration.  Advance organizers are another tool learners use to focus their learnng.  This tool also allows students to visualize and organize information and make connections.  Advance graphic organizers can be tables, charts, or artstic works that help learners to outline and organize their work.  All of the above can be considered forms of elaboration.  They are tools used to help students remember and recall information stored in their long term memory.

Dr. Orey describes our short term memory as 7 +/- 2 facts or ideas, and these facts or ideas are most easily remembered by using reherarsal, or "practice."  Summarizing and note taking can help with the rehearsal procedure allowing one to store facts in their short term memory.  Our short term memory helps us to recall abbreviations on the Periodic Table, or state capitals, or historical dates, etc. that may be on n upcoming test.  These aren't facts that we need to remember forever necessarily, but we need to remember temporarily.  Taking notes and summarizing information helps is to rehearse the information so we can remmeber and recall it when necessary.

In conclusion, the learning strategies described this week have a strong correlation to cognitive learning theories.  The various learning strategies help learners to remember and recall information in their long and short term memories.

References:

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

Video.  Cognitive Learning Theories.  Laureate. (2010).

Instructional Strategies and Behaviorist Learning Theory

Instructional strategies have a strong correlation with behaviorist learning theory.  Behaviorism is observable and revolves around operant conditioning, which was developed by B.F. Skinner.  Operant conditioning focuses on the reinforcement of desirable behavior and punishment of undesirable behavior.  Teachers use operant conditioning on a daily basis through their instructional strategies.  I think that operant conditioning is a successful way to manage classroom behavior and student progress and it has proven to be successful for decades.  


In the video, "Behaviorist Learning Theory," Dr. Orey mentioned several instructional strategies aimed at managing classroom behavior including simple behavior charts and online tutorials.  These strategies follow the theory of operant conditioning.  They are measurable and can reinforce desirable behavior and punish undesirable behavior.  Not only can operant conditioning be used to manage classroom behavior but it can be used to manage student effort and motivation.  Students who put forth effort and show motivation will be rewarded in some way to reinforce the behavior, while those who show lack of effort and motivation will receive some sort of punishment at an attempt to extinguish the behavior.  


Operant conditioning is used in classrooms around the world to manage classroom behavior and student progress.  Whether in the form of a behavior chart, star chart, sticker chart, or excel spreadsheet, it provides students and teachers with a measurable and observable method of classroom management.  These strategies can be simple or complex but they all prove to be effective.

Reflection

In order to be a successful educator I feel that it is important to be a life-long learner and continue professional growth.  Part of doing so means keeping up with changes in society and staying on top of advances in technology.  This course has helped me to develop my own technology skills as a professional teacher and incorporate forms of technology into my classroom that I had never thought of before.  I am now more confident when it comes to using technology and willing to take on the challenges and obstacles that come along with technology.  Teaching first grade is a challenge within itself.  Adding technology into the mix and teaching students how to use technology adds more challenges.  However, this course has taught me how to use technology and implement it into the classroom to be a successful learning tool.

I now have a deeper understanding of the teaching and learning process.  Teaching and learning are connected and they need to change together.  Learning changes as society and technology changes.  They way students learn and what they learn is always changing and in turn teaching must change as well.  This course has taught me that society and technology have a huge influence on learning.  Students are surrounded by a variety of digital stimulation out of school.  We need to incorporate the same digital stimulation into our teaching process in order to keep students interested, engaged, and motivated.  If they come to school and are suddenly “disconnected” they will be board and lack enthusiasm and motivation to learn.  In order to avoid the lack of motivation and enthusiasm teachers must keep up with the changes in society and technology and keep up with their changing students.  Teachers need to be creative in their teaching processes and provide students with stimulating and interesting learning experiences.  I understand, more than ever, how much teaching and learning are connected.

I feel that I have always developed my instruction to be learner-centered.  However, now I use more strategies and resources to reach all learners successfully.  I give my students more choices when it comes to completing assignments.  For example, they can illustrate their response, write their response, or verbalize their response.  Of course, I don’t use this strategy in all subject areas or on tests where a written response is required; however, during a daily lesson or discussion I find that the students answer more thoroughly and successfully when given the choice of how to answer.  I let my students know that we are all in school to learn and have fun, they are going to learn from me and one another, and I am going to learn from all of them.  Learning is an interactive experience and requires collaboration among teachers, students, parents, and other community memebers.   I encourage my students to share information with one another and collaborate within their learning community; which could be their group, our class, or the school depending on the activity.  Even though I am “in charge” of the classroom and I am the authority figure, it is not “my” classroom.  My students and I are equal and I let them know that they are entitled to their own opinions and suggestions in our classroom.  I want them to be a part of creating our classroom environment.  I feel that students learn better and achieve more when they are a part of the teaching and learning process.

I plan to continue my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement.  I plan to do so by attending workshops that teach us how to incorporate technology into the classroom in new and innovative ways.  I will also listen to my students and take time to learn about what types of technology they are interested in and what they use at home.  I will then try to implement these technologies into my classroom and teach my students with these technologies.  My hope is that this will keep them interested and engaged and provide them with the stimulation they need to be successful students.

Demographic Profile and Student Interviews

Here is the link to my podcast:

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Partnership for 21st Century Skills

http://www.p21.org/
I found the website of the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills to be very interesting.  I think that the organization has set great goals and ambitions in helping today’s youth become ready and successful in the 21^st century.  U.S. schools lack the tools and resources to prepare their students for the technology filled world that lies ahead of them.  P21 provides those tools and resources to U.S. schools to help them keep up with the changing world and workforce.  These tools and resources will help students to gain the skills they need to be productive and successful members of society.

While exploring the P21 site I came across some information that was quite surprising to me.  As I was looking over the framework for 21^st century learning I was taken back by how much emphasis is put on career and life skills, learning and innovation skills (collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity), and information media and technology skills.  I always knew that educators had to incorporate these skills into their pedagogy, but I never realized how much emphasis was really put on it.  When I think of “school”, especially the elementary level, I automatically think of reading, writing, and math.  Then, of course, I think of the other subjects such as health, science, social studies, etc.  I think that the emphasis on career and life skills, innovation skills, and information media and technology skills has definitely grown in the 21^st century due to the boost in technology and modern technological gadgets.  Students need to be prepared for the real-world and a major part of that is knowing how to use technology and programs that they will be introduced to in the workforce.  Reading and understanding the framework has helped me to understand the issues surrounding 21^st century skills.  I also reflected upon myself as an educator and thought of strategies I could use in my teaching to teach my students these skills and help to prepare them for their future in the workforce.

I have to be honest, after taking time to browse through the P21 website I found that I agree with almost everything P21 is trying to accomplish and all of the information the website provides, in fact, I couldn’t find anything I disagree with.  I think that everything the website says is true.  In particular, students need to be prepared for the world that lies ahead of them and there is a gap between what they need to know and what is taught in schools.  P21 also suggests that assessment needs to be balanced and should include standardized assessment along with effective classroom formative and summative assessment.  Schools put a huge emphasis on standardized tests and seem to neglect other forms of assessment. I don’t think standardized tests are entirely effective.  They should be partnered with other forms of assessment to ensure that all of the 21^st century skills are being taught and achieved effectively.

As a contemporary teacher I need to be aware of the 21^st century skills that my students need to learn and achieve.  I need to incorporate these skills into my daily lessons to ensure that my students are prepared for their future and the workforce.  In addition to teaching the basic core subjects such as reading, writing, and math; I need to teach them life and career skills, learning and innovation skills, and information media and technology skills.  These are skills students must know in order to be successful in their futures and in the real-world.  I also need to consider assessment and the types of assessment I use to determine if the students are successfully learning and applying 21^st century skills.  I need to incorporate a variety of balanced testing styles into my lessons to make sure all learners are being reached and all skills are being achieved. 

Today’s students have a challenging road ahead of them and educators need to start preparing them from the beginning of their school careers.  The gap between 21^st century skills and what is being taught in the classroom needs to be closed and it’s our job as educators to do so.

Using A Blog In My Classroom

In my first grade classroom blogs would be a great way for me to communicate with parents and other teachers in my building about upcoming classroom and school events.  I could also communicate with parents about upcoming assignments, projects, tests, assemblies, etc.  Doing so will avoid the common problem of parents “not knowing” about a project, test, or other important piece of information because their child failed to convey the information.  The blog would serve as a means to keep parents abreast of what’s going on in our classroom and school.  Parents could check on the blog as often as they want and post on the blog as often as they want.  This will build a strong connection between the parents and teacher as well as make the parents feel like they are included and a part of their child’s learning experience.  Parents will be able to ask questions and post concerns they may have on the blog.  It will also give them a place to communicate with other parents.

I would use the blog to post pictures of the classroom and various projects that the students created, allowing parents and other teachers to see what’s going on in the classroom.  It will allow me to display student work and achievements.

Considering the grade level and age of my students, I wouldn’t expect them to blog.  I would not use blogging as a way for students to interact.  However, I would use the blog to showcase student work and share their learning with the larger community such as the school as a whole and the school district. 

The blog will give me a place to post a description of expectations and benchmarks for my first grade class.  Doing so will allow parents to know what is expected of their children throughout the school year and where they are expected to be before leaving first grade.  I would not post individual student grades or benchmarks on the blog; that is personal information that should only be shared with the parents of that student.  However, if a parent has concerns or questions they can be asked on the blog, or, a parent/teacher meeting can be set up using the blog.

I think that a blog would be a great instructional tool because it would give me a place to outline class goals and expectations as well as post upcoming assignments, projects, tests, etc.  It would also give me a place to showcase student work and achievements and display pictures of our classroom.  In addition, the blog would be a great place for open communication between parents and teachers.  All of these factors would enhance my teaching experience and well as the overall learning experience of my students.

Reflecive Practices Among Language Arts Teachers: The Use of Weblogs

My student teacher shared this article with me.  She had to read it for one of her classes.  I didn't get a chance to read the whole thing yet, I just skimmed through it, but I thought it seemed interesting....

http://www.citejournal.org/vol8/iss1/languagearts/article1.cfm

It's an article by Beverly B. Ray and Gail A. Coulter from Idaho State University.  The article examines the importance of reflective teacher practices and whether the use of teacher blogs reflected their practice.  It might be very insightful!

Interesting Articles on Technology

Thornburg, D. (2004). Technology and education: Expectations, not options. (Executive Briefing No. 401). Retrieved from http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/briefings/expectations.pdf

Associated Press. (2008, May 9). Technology-rich classrooms render textbooks useless. Teacher Magazine. Used by permission.