Personal Theory Of Learning Reflection

The purpose of an education institution is to prepare young people for an adult world. Through basic education in mathematics, natural sciences, history, and language arts, as well as interpersonal skills, and the integration of technology, students are given the basic stepping-stones to succeed as an adult. I feel as if my theory of learning has not changed too much from the beginning of class. I still feel that students need to have the drive for motivation to reach their goals of success. Not only do I want my students to strive, but I also want them to become independent thinkers and make good choices.

Like I have stated before, as a teacher, I must introduce topics in a way that all students will be able to understand. While watching the DVD clip of Dr. Michael Orey (2009), he discussed the two types of learning theories: Instruction Theory vs. Learning Theory. The Instructional Theory is defined as "anything you do to change the environment to enhance learning: (Orey, 2009). I have to make sure that I am understanding the way that each on of my students learn. What works for them? What can I do so that they grasp the knowledge I am presenting to them? Teachers need to use all the tolls available in order to meet their needs of their students so that they have the opportunity to reach their goals.

As teachers, we understand that every classroom is different and that every child is different. Dr. Patricia Wolfe (2009) states in her DVD, Understanding the Brain, teachers for a long time have "[taught] brains that we have not understood" (Wolfe, 2009). Incorporating all kinds of strategies to teach the students the skills for each lesson, will allow teachers to reach out to all of their learners.

Technology plays a huge role with this discovery. Technology is the way of our future.
By incorporating technology into lessons, it allows teachers to stay connected with their students and to meet the needs of all learners. I love the use of the SMART board in my classroom. It allows me to not only broaden my lessons, but the students are engaged with what is being taught.

With the use of the SMARTboard tool, I am able to show my students engaging lessons. For example, we are able to take virtual field trips. If we are studying a particular place, but unable to travel their to get the full experience, we will still be able to feel like we are their with the use of the virtual field trip.

Another tool that I love is the Voice Threads. I feel that this is a creative tool to use with my students. They enjoy it too! Having students work hands on with a particular assignment is only beneficial. They students are able to work independently and research ideas because they want to learn more. They also love the final product and are able to share that with the class.

I feel that students learn more when they are interested. If they are interested, they are engaged. If they are engaged, they are going to obtain the knowledge and drive for success. The two long term goals that I have for myself is to continue to use technology in my classroom. My students learn when they are able to use this tool. I want to make sure that I do not just put this type of tool to the sidelines. The second long-term goal that I have for myself is to continue up with the use of technology. I want to make sure that I know the latest strategy and use in order for me to keep up on the knowledge! Knowledge is everywhere and to teach students these simple skills will give them the wisdom they need to succeed in life.

Elizabeth Brindley

Resources
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program one. Understanding the Brain [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program one. Understanding the Brain [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.

Cooperative Learning

When reading the resources for the week, I was able to learn more about cooperative learning. I feel that this theory is vital to a students learning experience. With cooperative learning, students are able to "interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007 p. 139). This type of social and cooperative learning allows students to engage in collaborative discussions which do not even need to take place in the same room. With the use of technology, students are able to blog about their ideas. Students can become more hands on and deeper thinking can take place. It is also important to know that "cooperative learning should be used consistently and systematically, but should not be overused" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p.139) Just like any idea, lesson and method, students can get burnt out on it. With these theories, "students actively engage in constructing artifacts and conversing with others" (Orey, 2009). Having students engaged in what they are doing is a key factor in their learning experience. Students need to be able to connect with the ideas in order to have a better understanding of the information. With technology playing the role that it does in society, we are able to create and provide opportunities for higher learning for our students.

I think that with this class, I have been able to learn more about how to get my students to collaborate with one another effectively. As I finish my VoiceThread, I am able to understand where students can use this tool to create deeper level thinking and become more hands on with their work. You can view my VoiceThread at http://voicethread.com/share/653679


Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Social Learning Theories Baltimore: Author.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Constructivist Constructionist Learning Theories

It is important to provide feedback to their students so that they are able to continue to grow and progress in their learning. Through technology, I am able to provide constructive feedback immediately through our classes blog and email accounts. Students need to be prepared for real world experiences and with this type of method, they are. Constructivist Learning Theories provide students with learning experiences that are engaging and worthwhile.

"Constructivism is a philosophy of learning founded on the premise that, by reflecting on our experiences, we construct our own understanding of the world we live in" (Funderstanding, 1998). For students to learn, they have to understand. By meeting the needs of all of our students, we need to use different strategies and methods to find success.

Students not only can discuss ideas with me, but through this method, they can discuss and collaborate with their own peers. Deeper thinking can take place and students are able to be more reflective.

Resources:
Edutopia: What Works in Public Education (2009) The George Lucas Educational Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-introduction

Cognitive Learning Theory

All students learn differently. As a teacher, wouldn't it be more beneficial to meet the needs of my students by teaching them the skills, strategies, and knowledge they need to know in a way that they can understand? In order to create successful lessons that meet all learners, teachers need to find what works for their students instead of using one standard lesson.

Integrating technology into the classroom not only creates a vast amount of knowledge to learners, but students are performing better with this tool. In the resources for this week, I was able to learn more about how technology can be successful for many learners. I took a math lesson that was used this week in my classroom and incorporated technology. Throughout this week, I overheard discussion in my class between my students recalling the information that they used on the computers and on the SMARTboard. Great connections were made and remembered. Students can recall information when they understand information.

Through virtual field trips, my students can engage in the lesson as if they were there. Virtual field trips can provide those students with information and knowledge of settings that they may never get the change to go visit. It also provides my students with the "opportunity to engage in critical thinking activities" (Orey 2009). Technology is a great tool that provides engaging lesson for these students!!! Technology is changing the way our world is today and we as teachers need to prepare our students for this world.

Elizabeth Brindley

Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program one. “Cognitive Learning Theories” [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore

The Correlation Between Behaviorist Learning Theory and Instructional Strategies

As a teacher, it is important to me that my students are praised for good behavior and have consequences to behavior that is unacceptable. I use daily drills, practice, and tutorial services in my everyday classroom. I feel that this is important for students to review what is being taught and continue to strive on the knowledge they know. I also get a sense of what my students need to continue to work on and am able to work in small groups to meet the needs of my students. I use these instructional strategies during math time, reading time and especially during spelling lessons. We use online educational games to practice these skills as well. Not only can technology in my classroom work as a reward, but it also is a tool to meet the needs of my students who learn in this manner. "Technology makes it easier for students and teachers to track the effects of effort and faciliates more immediate feedback" (Pitler, 2007)

"In defining behavior, behaviorist learning theories emphasize changes in behavior that result from stimulus-response association made by the learner" (Standridge, 2002). As teachers, we use words and phrases that can benefit a child's self-esteem. This might include "I like the way you are..." or "You are being a great friend." Simple phrases such as these can not only have the child feeling great about themselves, but I also notice the other students acting in a similar way.

For the most part, behaviorist learning theory in today's classroom and instructional technology can be very effective within a classroom. Technology is used daily in the classroom and in order for it to work well with my class, standards need to be set and followed. Students need to understand and model the proper behavior that is expected of them. Using this type of theory in a classroom, both students and teachers can benefit from its use. Teachers can continue to grow and learn with these strategies as well as their students.

Resources:

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M. & Malenoskil, K (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Standridge, M. (2002) Behaviorism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved 8/15/2009, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt

Reflection On Technology

As this class comes to an end, I am able to reflect on all that I have learned. As I look back, I am excited to use what I have learned in this class, in my very own classroom. I feel more confident with using these technology tools, such as blogging, podcasts, wiki's, etc. and teaching my students to use them as well.

Any of these tools can be incorporated into a lesson. I am excited to try blogging during my reading groups for book talks, and using podcasts to create new songs for my students to learn or spelling words for my students to practice. I feel that with the use of technology, not only is it another learning tool, but it also gives students ownership and to feel independent.

Through this class, I have broaden my knowledge of new teaching techniques. I don't ever want to be a teacher that gets stuck in a rut and has a difficult time trying something new. I feel that every year is different, every child is different, and times are changing. Both teachers and students need to be up to date with the latest tools and skills. This class has definitely made me come out of the comfort zone and try new strategies to bring back into my classroom lessons.

I will definitely carry out what I have learned and continue to broaden my knowledge with the use of technology. By doing so, I plan to reach my goals of using more technology through the use of my lessons. I plan on giving my students the knowledge they need to know to accomplish these goals as well. I am truly excited to be receiving a SMARTboard in my classroom for the upcoming year. With this tool, I will be able to create a classroom environment where technology will be at our fingertips. I want my students to be able to work and explore, where my lessons can be learner-centered. I plan on doing this by setting a routine where directions are clear and expected. Every child has the ability to learn, just not every child learns the same way. This is why teachers need to format their lessons for all learners in order for them to help their students find success!

Elizabeth Brindley

Podcasts

I really enjoyed working with my 4th grade students to create podcasts! My whole class was given a survey as to how they use technology in their daily lives. I pulled three surveys from my students and asked them to help me create podcasts! I posted their responses to my classroom web page! They loved hearing their voices to the survey! I hope you enjoy it as well!

http://www.affton.k12.mo.us/gis/staff/ebrindley/podcasts.htm

Partnership For 21st Century Skills

When I first entered the site Partnership For 21st Century Skills, I thought that the page itself was very visual! After browsing around, I noticed that the overview for the Partnership For 21st Century Skills, believes that all "schools must move beyond a focus on basic competency in core subjects to promoting understanding of academic content at much higher levels by weaving 21st century interdisciplinary themes into core subjects." (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2004)The site posted the core themes for students to master such as Science, Math, Language, etc. The list also continued with subjects such as Economics and World Language. There mission at the Partnership For 21st Century Skills is to build "collaborative partnerships among education, business, community and government leaders. " (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2004) The skills set that this site includes is...

• information and communication skills
• thinking and problem solving
• interpersonal and self-direction skills
• global awareness
• financial, economic and business literacy, and developing entrepreneurial skills
• civic literacy

(Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2004)

After searching the site, it was surprising to see that only ten states were involved in something that seemed so powerful. The funding for this organization, however, seems to be very supportive. It seems as if these states also with the partnership for 21st century skills try to promote learning through this technique. As teachers, we are not only teaching students how to add and subtract, but we are also teaching them valuable skills in order to find success in their everyday lives. The site also contains information that provides individuals with the knowledge in going about becoming a state member and getting involved in order this partnership helps create the tools and skills that students need to learn, as well as becoming better citizens to our community.


Resources
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/images/stories/otherdocs/p21up_Report.pdf

Introduction to Blogging

Hi! This is Elizabeth Brindley and this is my blogging page. I am very excited about learning how to intergrate technology into my classroom. Being a teacher of twenty-three fourth graders, most of them use technology on a daily basis. In obtaining my Masters degree in technology from Walden University, I am hoping to provide my students with the knowledge of technology use. Our world is becoming more technological each day and as teachers, we need to make sure that we are aware of these changes.

With having four computers in my classroom, students are able to take turns or pair up with assignments given to them. As the next school year approaches, my building is becoming very anxious waiting to hear back from a grant that we asked for. This grant would provide each classroom with an eMINTS room. There will be a computer for every two students as well as a wall mounted SMARTboard. With knowing that there will be many hours put after receiving this grant, we are still all very excited! I hope to be able to use the device more as a teaching tool where my students can explore and become creative. Below, you will find my post on how exactly I use technology in my classroom. I look forward to hearing all of your ideas as well!