Reflection

In the first week of this course, I defined my personal theory of learning as being eclectic, combining primarily behaviorist and constructivist ideas. I believed that the methods worked best when used together versus being used independent of each other. While I do still hold this belief, there are some changes I would make to it based upon the information I learned in this course. At the beginning of the course, I felt that behaviorist and constructivist methods should be used fairly equally. Now I have a different perspective. I feel that behaviorist methods serve an important function being wonderful for teaching students classroom management skills, however, constructivist methods could be used to accomplish the same task. I feel that constructivist methods should be used predominately when teaching in the content areas. Technology can help make this happen.

I would like to focus on using technology as a means of meeting my constructivist goals. One form of technology that I plan on using in my classroom is VoiceThread. This technology is a wonderful learning tool when put in the hands of the students. The students can work independently or collaboratively to create an artifact that demonstrates their learning and understanding. VoiceThread then provides a way to receive feedback that is not only teacher provided but peer provided as well. This process encourages the students to be reflective about their learning (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011b).

Concept mapping is another technology tool that I plan to implement. This tool is also a powerful learning tool when put into student hands. Concept maps require students to understand relationships and connections between ideas or topics. This requires the students to think critically about the information as they organize it around a focus question. Students have to create meaningful linking words that describe the relationships between two concepts, enhancing their understanding. This tool provides a great way to create a visual artifact that demonstrates student learning(Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). I found SpiderScribe to be a great concept mapping resource.

Reflecting upon my learning has opened my eyes to the need for making changes in my classroom. One change I would like to focus on is using technology as a learning tool more than as an instructional tool. To do this, I will take time to teach my students how to use different applications such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Publisher so that the tools can be used to promote student learning through the construction of an artifact (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a). While I will continue to use such tools as instructional tools, I will encourage the students to use them to construct knowledge. My second goal is to find and learn new technologies that my students can use in the classroom. I am committed to searching for technology that will promote student learning by having them become active in creating something. I will continue to share ideas with peers and try new technologies so I can increase the number of resources available for my students to use. By focusing on these two goals, I will create an engaging learning environment that supports student learning.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011a). 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

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011b). Program ten: Spotlight on technology: VoiceThread [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.