Final Reflection

In my original description of personal learning theory I focused on how the brain works and the influence of multiple intelligences, learning styles, and preferences.  I also discussed the importance of building on a student’s prior knowledge and experiences.  I think that this is a wonderful starting point, but it is what it is, the basic foundation.  Through this course I have learned the importance of placing the emphasis on student centered learning vs. teacher centered by means of project based and problem based learning, putting the learning in students’ hands.  In this way I become the facilitator and the person offering guidance.  I feel I have also deepened my understanding of the importance of cooperative learning and the benefit it brings to students.  Allowing students to have meaningful conversations, contribute to a group assignments, and learn to socially work with others are all skills that will help students succeed in the future.  My use of technology as and instructional and learning tool has also helped me become a better educator.  Having the opportunity to try new programs such as concept mapping, organizers, and voicethreads has definitely opened up my teaching style and approach to how students learn best.   

The immediate adjustment I see myself implementing in my classroom in regards to instructional strategies and technology is incorporating more project based and problem based learning with the use of technological tools.  I would like to also research and use some of the webquests I have been looking into, and maybe adjusting them a bit to meet the needs of my students.  After using voicethreads with my students and seeing how responsive they were to them, I plan on integrating the use of them in more of our lessons as well.  I believe by having the opportunity to try all of these technological tools myself it has created a whole new world of opportunities for learning that I can share with my students.

My first long term goal for implementing new instructional strategies and technology would be to create more project based and problem based learning with the new technology tools I have experienced across the subjects I teach.  I realize that the effective use of this strategy and planning these activities takes time so I think it would be wise to develop three each year so that they are based on quality.  By slowly adding these new projects to my curriculum I can pick and choose what works best for my students.  The second long term goal I would like to work on is having students create “how to” videos for mathematics.  Students are at so many different levels in math that having this library of how to videos with examples by students could really help others that are having trouble with a specific concept.  This also allows the students creating the videos to develop a better understanding through reciprocal teaching.  This idea would also take some time because I would have to do it as my students have mastered a skill set and are ready to teach it to others.

      

Connectivism and Social Leaning in Practice

The instructional strategy cooperative learning relates to social learning by creating an environment where students are working collectively on an assignment or project that requires teamwork, discussion, and reflection of the new information or skills.  With this strategy students are accountable for their share of the work creating a sense of responsibility, and evolving their thinking process with partner or group members leading to a more trusting relationship, along with sharpened critical thinking skills.  In these situations students can also learn about one another’s interests, thoughts, ideas, families, and cultures which can create an even tighter bond.   Through these methods students also have the opportunity to reinforce their learning by reciprocal teaching and have a better understanding of knowledge by seeing information through someone else’s perspective.

Technology lends itself to social learning through collaboration tools and networking.  Students today are able to work together on a wiki, Power Point project, discussion board, webquest, online gamming; you name it the list goes on and on.  These tools allow students to work together, share their ideas, and reflect on their ideas and others’ thoughts.  They also make it possible for students to create or do sections of a task or project individually, or as a team.  The use of networking through social sites such as My Space and Facebook to name a few, permit students to collaborate, share ideas, resources,  and new information.