My personal theory of learning of providing students a variety of instructional methods that encompasses many different learning styles to meet the needs of all students. I believe that if students are interested in the skill or knowledge than they are much more likely to master it. What this course has done is introduce me to several technology tools that will help me incorporate my personal theory of learning to my students. Technologies such as graphic organizers, VoiceThread, Wiki’s, and virtual field trips will help provide students with hands on learning experiences and motivate them to succeed.
I plan to use as many of these technologies as I can in my classroom. For our classes county project I plan to have students to create Wiki’s about their countries. The Wiki’s will contain basic information about their country such as foods, traditions, culture, landmarks, famous people, government, currency, etc. Having the project completed on Wiki’s will allow for students to work on the project at home as well as in the classroom. It will also make it a lot easier to be able to follow students’ progress because I can go to their site and see where they are at and who is doing what. I also plan to create and provide graphic organizers to help students enhance their note taking experience. They will point students in the right direction and help them focus on areas of importance. Having more in depth notes will help them understand the material more and earn better grades.
Two long-term goals I have for technology integration in my classroom is to try to stay abreast with upcoming technology that could be integrated into the classroom with positive results. To do this I will take technology classes where possible and stay in contact with the IT director of my school. I will advocate to fellow teachers and administration for new technologies to be used in the classroom. My other goal is to integrate at least one technology tool into my classroom each year. This will help me integrate technology into the classroom. I need to make sure that the technology is for hands on student learning instead of instructional technology.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice
The rabbinical saying "Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time." Sums up today’s education system more so than any other generations. With the advent on the computer, cell phones, the Internet, and etc students today grew up in a much different technological world. If you have a question you can google it or text someone to find out. We as teachers need to use technology which our students relate to so well and use it in the classroom as a motivational tool. Our students already are using social learning technology (Facebook, Myspace, Blogs, etc) and need to be actively engaged to learn best. Social learning is great because it has students learn and interact with each other gathering social skills, technology skills, and content knowledge. Some social learning practices I found interesting in the learning resources are Moodle, website creation, and web-enabled multiplier simulation games.
Moodle is freeware online classroom much like Backboard. I create a moodle classroom site for all of my classes because it is a great program. It is especially helpful in a journalism class I taught. It made it so we had an online classroom where students could post their ideas and stories. Then our copy editors proof read the articles and reposted them in their final draft. Then the layout editor could take the articles, pictures, and games off the moodle site and put them in the layout of the paper. Using moodle made for a great experience because we could all see what everyone else was doing, give suggestions, and work together. Moodle is also a great application for tests, quizes, polls, discussions, glossaries, etc.
Having students in small groups create websites or Wiki’s about a topic provides a deeper understanding of the subject than writing a 5 page double spaced typed paper about it. The example in Mrs. Cox’s classroom where students researched a city, created a tourism website for that city, and than contacted that city’s Chamber of Commerce to ask for feedback. ( Marzano, Pickering, & Pollock, 2001). This project sounds like it would be a great way for students to work together on a meaningful project that has a real world application feel to it because you are interacting with the real city.
Web-enabled multiplier simulation games I had never truly had put them together in my head in an educational setting. They do provide for an excellent social interaction experience. I actually found it quite interesting because I’ve been playing Civilization III off and on this week and in the reading it’s mentioned as a great web-enabled multiplier simulation game. It is and teaches history, famous people, alliances, and diplomacy, trade, and working with others. Games like this that encourage working together and learning should be used more in the classroom.
Marzano, R.J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, VA: Assocciation of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Moodle is freeware online classroom much like Backboard. I create a moodle classroom site for all of my classes because it is a great program. It is especially helpful in a journalism class I taught. It made it so we had an online classroom where students could post their ideas and stories. Then our copy editors proof read the articles and reposted them in their final draft. Then the layout editor could take the articles, pictures, and games off the moodle site and put them in the layout of the paper. Using moodle made for a great experience because we could all see what everyone else was doing, give suggestions, and work together. Moodle is also a great application for tests, quizes, polls, discussions, glossaries, etc.
Having students in small groups create websites or Wiki’s about a topic provides a deeper understanding of the subject than writing a 5 page double spaced typed paper about it. The example in Mrs. Cox’s classroom where students researched a city, created a tourism website for that city, and than contacted that city’s Chamber of Commerce to ask for feedback. ( Marzano, Pickering, & Pollock, 2001). This project sounds like it would be a great way for students to work together on a meaningful project that has a real world application feel to it because you are interacting with the real city.
Web-enabled multiplier simulation games I had never truly had put them together in my head in an educational setting. They do provide for an excellent social interaction experience. I actually found it quite interesting because I’ve been playing Civilization III off and on this week and in the reading it’s mentioned as a great web-enabled multiplier simulation game. It is and teaches history, famous people, alliances, and diplomacy, trade, and working with others. Games like this that encourage working together and learning should be used more in the classroom.
Marzano, R.J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, VA: Assocciation of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Constructivism in Practice
Motivation and learning go hand and hand. Without motivation the information isn’t going to stick. The information might be coerced long enough for the test but then it will be completely forgotten. That is why we as teachers need to help motivate our students by connecting learning with real life situations and having project-based lessons.
Projects like the interactive savings and investment lesson that used spreadsheet software is a great example of motivated students with real life applications. Through the use of the spreadsheet software it eliminates the repetitive and tedious information gathering stage of the activity and lets you focus on interpreting the data. Students can manipulate the data easily to test out their hypotheses while getting immediate results. The hand on manipulation of data activity aligns with constructivist and constructionist learning theories because the students are learning from discovery. It has real life application because you can see if you put X amount in the bank this is how much I’ll have in 30 years. This activity would interest students and get them thinking about saving for retirement or how much a car loan is going to cost.
“Project learning is filled with active and engaged learning, it inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying. Research also indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-centered learning.”(Why Teach, 2008) Projects allow for more use of technology, options for assessments methods, and they are student driven. Being able to choose what you are interested in learning and or something that effects your community gets students increases motivation. It makes you feel like you have a say in your learning experience and lets you tackle real world situations. Designing the perfect school for 2050 or figuring out what type of bridge should be built in your town are great examples of project-based learning. It incorporates a variety of learning areas such as research skills, technology skills, math, history, reasoning skills, social skills, and etc.
Marzano, R.J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, VA: Assocciation of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
“Why Teach With Project Learning?: Providing Students With a Well-Rounded Classroom Experience.” 2008. Edutopia. 5/26/09. http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-introduction
Projects like the interactive savings and investment lesson that used spreadsheet software is a great example of motivated students with real life applications. Through the use of the spreadsheet software it eliminates the repetitive and tedious information gathering stage of the activity and lets you focus on interpreting the data. Students can manipulate the data easily to test out their hypotheses while getting immediate results. The hand on manipulation of data activity aligns with constructivist and constructionist learning theories because the students are learning from discovery. It has real life application because you can see if you put X amount in the bank this is how much I’ll have in 30 years. This activity would interest students and get them thinking about saving for retirement or how much a car loan is going to cost.
“Project learning is filled with active and engaged learning, it inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying. Research also indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-centered learning.”(Why Teach, 2008) Projects allow for more use of technology, options for assessments methods, and they are student driven. Being able to choose what you are interested in learning and or something that effects your community gets students increases motivation. It makes you feel like you have a say in your learning experience and lets you tackle real world situations. Designing the perfect school for 2050 or figuring out what type of bridge should be built in your town are great examples of project-based learning. It incorporates a variety of learning areas such as research skills, technology skills, math, history, reasoning skills, social skills, and etc.
Marzano, R.J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, VA: Assocciation of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
“Why Teach With Project Learning?: Providing Students With a Well-Rounded Classroom Experience.” 2008. Edutopia. 5/26/09. http://www.edutopia.org/project-learning-introduction
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Cognitivism in Practice
Creating organizers/presentations that include what we are going to learn today, visuals, and essential questions is a great way to get the students in right frame of mind for what we are going to cover that day in class. I like the use of computers to make advanced organizers to help students take and retain their notes. Creating these organizers that connect ideas and visuals is a different way to write notes that will interest the students. If not enough computers are available then the teacher could create the organizer and print it off and have the students fill it out and add it to their notes. Having organizers presents the information in a way that is easily assessable for the student to go back and retrieve information.
Being able to summarize and take notes are important skills that many students have trouble with. Taking notes verbatim isn’t a very effective way to take notes because it’s hard to figure out what items are supposed to be important and need notes taken on. I cue my students and left them when they should be taking notes. They know that if I write it on the white board or I am showing a PowerPoint presentation then they should be writing that information down. I make sure to summarize my points and include relevant visuals, which creates concept mapping. Using concept mapping and virtual field trips is a great way to use visuals, sounds, and information to make learning more engaging and a memorable experience. Connecting these visuals, sounds, and text together will make it easier for this information to be stored in long term memory. Using note-taking templates and outlines is a great way to help guide students in the right direction and is a great resource. The use of Wiki’s and blogs to create online glossaries and post information is a great way for students to combine their knowledge and ideas for the benefit of the rest of the class.
Being able to summarize and take notes are important skills that many students have trouble with. Taking notes verbatim isn’t a very effective way to take notes because it’s hard to figure out what items are supposed to be important and need notes taken on. I cue my students and left them when they should be taking notes. They know that if I write it on the white board or I am showing a PowerPoint presentation then they should be writing that information down. I make sure to summarize my points and include relevant visuals, which creates concept mapping. Using concept mapping and virtual field trips is a great way to use visuals, sounds, and information to make learning more engaging and a memorable experience. Connecting these visuals, sounds, and text together will make it easier for this information to be stored in long term memory. Using note-taking templates and outlines is a great way to help guide students in the right direction and is a great resource. The use of Wiki’s and blogs to create online glossaries and post information is a great way for students to combine their knowledge and ideas for the benefit of the rest of the class.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Reinforcing Effort and Homework Practice
Reinforcing effort and Homework practice go hand in hand with behaviorist learning. “Typically, students need about 24 practice sessions with a skill in order to achieve a 80-percent competency.” (Marzano et al., 2001, p.67). This means that practicing a skill repeatedly is way to learn a skill effectively. These skills can and should be learned using several strategies that make the material more interesting to the learner. Practicing a skill 24+ times if done in the same manor can be tedious and discourage some students. With the use of technology applications that have you learn the material in different and increasing difficulty ways it makes the repetition of the skill more meaningful and less like work. The learning resources examples in reinforcing effort helps show students through effort/achievement spread sheets that they have made that effort is important and helps increase their learning and grades. Knowing this some students will work harder and study more to get better grades instead of just trying to slide by doing the minimal amount of work required.
Homework practice is a way to reinforce classroom learning so the student becomes competint at the task. With homework I agree that it’s important to have assignments that have a clear purpose and outcome and that they receive varied feedback on their work. This feedback should be specific intermittent praise which from a behaviorist perspective reinforce learning. This specific praise will help incourage positive behaviors and discourage negative ones. Technology programs such as Flashcard exchange which allows students to create and share flashcard notes is a way to practice vocabulary and information. The research tool in Msword sounds like a great program for students to gather a more in-depth understanding of a word without having to go online and sort through information. Strategies such as Co-teaching units like the example of the Football coach and Math teacher working together to get students to create graphs of the amount of weight lifted, reps, and heart rate help teach a skill because it remediates the skill and shows that the skill has a real life application.
Marzano, R.J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, VA: Assocciation of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Homework practice is a way to reinforce classroom learning so the student becomes competint at the task. With homework I agree that it’s important to have assignments that have a clear purpose and outcome and that they receive varied feedback on their work. This feedback should be specific intermittent praise which from a behaviorist perspective reinforce learning. This specific praise will help incourage positive behaviors and discourage negative ones. Technology programs such as Flashcard exchange which allows students to create and share flashcard notes is a way to practice vocabulary and information. The research tool in Msword sounds like a great program for students to gather a more in-depth understanding of a word without having to go online and sort through information. Strategies such as Co-teaching units like the example of the Football coach and Math teacher working together to get students to create graphs of the amount of weight lifted, reps, and heart rate help teach a skill because it remediates the skill and shows that the skill has a real life application.
Marzano, R.J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, VA: Assocciation of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Reflection + Technology Goals
The class understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society (EDUC - 6710I – 1) has helped me move forward with my technology skills. It has helped me modify my goals regarding integrating technology into my classroom. Throughout this course I have gotten to learn new technologies like wiki’s, podcasts, and blogs. I had not had the opportunity to use them before and now I feel that they can be used as great tools in the classroom. They will help keep my students interested as well as up to date with current technologies.
I have come to realize that I need to focus on becoming a more learner centered teacher and to act as the guide for my students. I originally thought using PowerPoint presentations, and using document cameras, projectors, etc was a good effort of integrating technology into the classroom. Those technologies are focused on the teacher as the instructor. My experience in this class has deepened my knowledge of the teaching and learning process. Students need to learn/ teach themselves and others how to use these technologies and Wiki’s, Podcasts, and blogs. This will get students more involved and interested in their learning.
There are a few ways I plan to try to stay up to date on new technologies that can be used in the classroom. I plan to keep in contact with the technology director who is always brimming with new integrating technology into the classroom ideas. I plan to check educational blogs and to have my students keep me informed of any new technologies they are interested in.
My goals going forward are to set up a classroom blog that contains notes, homework assignments, resources, etc. I plan to have the students be a part of the classroom blog by updating classroom notes, student examples, and discussions. I want it to be a place students can be involved in learning outside of the classroom. Another goal I have is to create Wiki’s for my classes and have the student use them for projects and for creating glossaries of the terms we are going over in class.
I have very much enjoyed this class and how it has brought me closer to the teacher I want and know I can be. I look forward to learning and working with technologies that can be used in the classroom.
I have come to realize that I need to focus on becoming a more learner centered teacher and to act as the guide for my students. I originally thought using PowerPoint presentations, and using document cameras, projectors, etc was a good effort of integrating technology into the classroom. Those technologies are focused on the teacher as the instructor. My experience in this class has deepened my knowledge of the teaching and learning process. Students need to learn/ teach themselves and others how to use these technologies and Wiki’s, Podcasts, and blogs. This will get students more involved and interested in their learning.
There are a few ways I plan to try to stay up to date on new technologies that can be used in the classroom. I plan to keep in contact with the technology director who is always brimming with new integrating technology into the classroom ideas. I plan to check educational blogs and to have my students keep me informed of any new technologies they are interested in.
My goals going forward are to set up a classroom blog that contains notes, homework assignments, resources, etc. I plan to have the students be a part of the classroom blog by updating classroom notes, student examples, and discussions. I want it to be a place students can be involved in learning outside of the classroom. Another goal I have is to create Wiki’s for my classes and have the student use them for projects and for creating glossaries of the terms we are going over in class.
I have very much enjoyed this class and how it has brought me closer to the teacher I want and know I can be. I look forward to learning and working with technologies that can be used in the classroom.
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