Final Post

At the Start of this course I believed that a large part of my teaching strategy consisted of the behaviorist theory but now I will be implementing more of the constructivist approach utilizing the technology methods that I have learned. In the past I had engaged students in activities where they were to create something. In the future I plan to have projects that are more frequent and engaging using the technology I have used in this class, thus providing for deeper understanding of the content. Multimedia presentation of lessons and the student ‘s use of the technology allows for more practice, more hands-on involvement, and more critical thinking for the students. In the future I will be focusing on engaging the children in activities in which they will have the opportunity to use technology to create evidence of learning. Dr.Orey, discussed that the constructivist theory allows students to be “actively engaged” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008a). I also agree that students learn and understand more by building and creating things.

There are a few changes that I will implement immediately such as the use of Voice Thread. I am really excited about using Voice Thread in my classroom with students. To start using Voice Thread in lessons I will work in a small group with 4 to 5 students. I will teach the first group of students to use the Voice Thread program over a period of time until I know that they are comfortable to use the program on their own. Then I will assign them to a partner with a new assignment. I will continue this pattern until all the students are able to use the program easily and efficiently. When students are able to use the Voice Thread program I will begin creating assignments for students on a regular basis. Teaching a small group of students who then can be the “professionals” to help or train classmates will help make future lessons for the whole group easier as they will have the opportunity to ask peers for assistance and not just me. Another change I would like to make is to turn the use of power points into an independent project for students to use in addition to the ones I create for lessons. I am currently working together with the school technology teacher to provide students will the skills that they will need to be successful with using power points as part of their assignments. After this course I am hoping to continue to research and locate different forms of technology that I would be able to successfully implement in my class. I will continue to meet with the technology specialist and attend professional development classes on technology topics to keep current on the ever changing technology tools that can be used in the classroom. I will also start implementing the new technology I learned about by using the strategies listed previously. The train the trainer technique minimizes the task of implementing a new program of technology skill for the whole class. I have really enjoyed this class and the tools that I have been exposed to, that I can implement in my classroom.

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

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program seven. Constructionist and Constructivist Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.

Natural Resources

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

The learning strategies discussed both in the media and text this week, directly correlate with the social learning theory. All the activities discussed incorporated the need for students to work together to be successful with a project. The activities would also provide students with the opportunity to communicate, display trust among peers, demonstrate leadership, apply decision making and problem solving skills. If students are working together to create a multimedia material such as a video they will need to be able to collaborate to piece together each students ideas to create a finished product. In having students depend on one another to be successful there will be more thought put into the cooperation among the group members.