Here is the link to my voice thread http://voicethread.com/share/784202/
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Cooperative Learning
Chapter 7, Cooperative Learning, is an excellent resource for involving more social learning theory into your classroom while also integrating technology. The resources listed in the chapter were probably some of my favorite thus far. My favorite portion of the chapter was the "Keypals" section on page 145. Under this heading were several ways to connect students from around the globe together to work collaboratively on projects and assignments. I think this is an excellent idea, as I have always been a big fan of "pen pals". I think allowing students to work with students from other cities, states, and countries is an excellent way to prepare students to be global communicators. It also exposes students to other cultures and points of view that they wouldn't have otherwise experienced. I think Skype is another excellent tool that allows students to connect socially with other students and work face-to-face with students that they may or may not know.
All of this week's resources directly correlate with the social learning theory because they focus on students working together, constructing knowledge, and conversating about what they are learning.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Constructivist/Constructionist Learning Theories
This week's assigned reading was Chapter 11 in our course text which was focused on generating and testing hypotheses. The book states that "When students generate and test hypotheses, they are engaging in complex mental processes, applying content knowledge, and enhancing their overall understanding of the content" (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2008). This is very important for students as it requires them to use higher order thinking skills while allowing them to "construct" learning through testing different hypotheses. This is what the constructionist theory is all about.
Chapter 11 shows how to use interactive spreadsheets with students so that they can organize data while testing different hypotheses. This is a technology application that allows students to create a plan and compare their predictions. It saves students time and also reduces the amount of error in the hypotheses. Through using these interactive probes students are constructing their own learning and not relying on a teacher to give them all of the information. The chapter goes on to discuss data collection tools and digital probes which I was not familiar with. I have not used probeware with my third grade students so I was a little unsure of how those work. I was able to gather that digital probes are another way of students collecting data and creating a digital representation of the data, again aligning with the constructionist theory of learning.
Students are typically more engaged when participating in project-based learning and chapter 11 gives some excellent ideas on how to implement more project-based learning into your curriculum through the use of generating and testing hypotheses.
References
Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Cognitive Learning Theory
Cognitive learning theory focuses mainly on how we understand, process, and store information. Dr. Orey presented several ideas on how to enhance student retention of information through the use of technological applications.
Chapter 4, Cues, Questions, and Advance Organizers, spotlights essential questions and ways to organize information. Advance organizers help to activate prior knowledge and also boost retention of information. The strategies presented in this chapter correlate with the cogitivive learning theory because it allows students to take unknown information, map it out, and then be able to recall it from their long-term memory.
Chapter 6 of our course text gives specific strategies on summarizing and note taking. The character trait note-taking template on page 129 is an example of the concept mapping technique that Dr. Orey discussed on the course DVD. This map helps the learner keep information organized and connected in such a way that is more meaningful to the student, thus making it more memorable. I found several awesome technology applications that I would like to implement in my classroom. I did not previously know how to track changes in Microsoft Word or Auto summarize. Those were both excellent tools that will be beneficial to my students.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Week Two Assignment
This week's course assignment is to take a closer look at chapters 8 and 10 in the course text, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works and then discuss how those strategies relate to behaviorist learning theory.
Chapter 8, Reinforcing Effort, focuses on effort being the most important factor when it comes to being successful. I loved reading the different technology strategies that were suggested throughout the chapter. The idea of using a rubric along with Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for students to chart their achievement and effort is an excellent idea. I think that when students see the direct connection between their effort and achievement it will be a great tool for motivation in the classroom. These strategies align with behaviorist learning theory simply because this is a positive reinforcement tool that provides immediate feedback. If the amount of effort given by the students is sufficient then the student can be positively rewarded.
Chapter 10, Homework and Practice, suggests ways to make homework effective for students. It is no secret that practice is needed to master a skill, even as an adult. Students have to practice the skills that are taught to them in the classroom in order to master those skills. This chapter gives a multitude of technological resources to use in the classroom. I was most impressed by the section that explains how to find the grade level rating of student work. I was not aware that this was a function available on Microsoft Word. I was familiar with most of the website resources listed at the end of the chapter, as I am currently using some of them. These strategies presented in chapter 10 align with behaviorist learning theory because it allows for immediate feedback for the students. If the student masters the skill presented in the technology they are rewarded immediately, and if not they are redirected to try again. I am a big fan of these resources and I use them on a daily basis. I keep all of my website resources in a portal for my students to access at home or at school.
I am really enjoying reading our course text and always enjoy learning new ways to use the technology that I already have. I cannot wait to start implementing the technology applications that were presented in these two chapters.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Final Thoughts....
My EDUC-6710I-2 class is coming to an end. My final assignment is to look back and reflect on my experiences in this course. I have been given a few questions to answer....
In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?
This course has helped me to develop my technology skills by introducing me to Web 2.0 tools that I had not used before. Before this course I was familiar with the terms wikis and podcasts, but had never created one for myself. Thanks to the assignments I have completed I will be able to teach my students to create these tools and use them to facilitate learning.
In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?
I have deepened my knowledge of the teaching and learning process by becoming more aware of the fact that my role as a teacher should be moving more towards become a facilitator in the classroom while students are creating their own knowledge through the use of different technologies. I am realizing that I need to work smarter not harder and the Web 2.0 tools are an excellent way to accomplish this task.
In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?
I have changed my perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered simply because I have learned how to make the Web 2.0 tools work not only for me, but also for my students. Up until the start of this course I was using technology in my classroom but it was mainly teacher-centered usage. I have now changed the way I let me students use technology and have redesigned my lessons to be more learner-centered.
In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?
I can expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology by continuing on with my Master’s degree in Implementing Technology in the Classroom. I can also stay current on the latest technologies used in classrooms. I think the most important way to expand my knowledge to use and implement as many different technologies as possible in my classroom. This will most definitely increase student achievement.
Set two long-term goals (within two years) for transforming your classroom environment by which you may have to overcome institutional or systemic obstacles in order to achieve them.
Two long-term goals that I have for transforming my classroom are
1- Begin using Skype to connect with learners around the globe and use this as a tool to facilitate student projects and experiments in the classroom.
2- Begin working on my “paper free” classroom. My goal is to eventually run my room with no worksheets or text books, instead using only technology and Web 2.0 tools.
1- Begin using Skype to connect with learners around the globe and use this as a tool to facilitate student projects and experiments in the classroom.
2- Begin working on my “paper free” classroom. My goal is to eventually run my room with no worksheets or text books, instead using only technology and Web 2.0 tools.
This has been my favorite course so far in the Master's program with Walden University. I look forward to learning more about implementing technology into my classroom!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Podcasting...How Fun!
I completed my very first podcast! Check it out and tell me what you think......
Also, here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92Dik9sc3M8
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