Seven weeks ago I developed and wrote my “Personal Learning Theory.” As I reflect upon that writing, I still believe my learning theory to be quite eclectic, drawing on aspects of the Behaviorist, Cognitivist, Constructivist, as well as Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences perspectives. Integrating all of these theories is the best way for me to meet the diverse needs of learners and differentiate instruction for my students. Using technology assists in accomplishing this goal by keeping my students actively engaged in their education.
Some changes I plan to make include recognizing that there is a time and place for on-line drill and practice activities. Since behaviorists believe that students learn by responding to rewards, consequences or a lack of response, this is a way for those children who need immediate feedback to receive it. Websites such as www.studyisland.com and www.arcademicskillbuilders.com are two powerful on-line tools that can accommodate this need.
Another important adjustment I plan to make in my instructional practice includes the use of online concept mapping tools such as www.webspiration.com. Using this learning tool will allow my students to make more connections to access information quickly and easily at a later date.
Two technology tools I would like to use with my students next year include webquests and more interactive video conferences. Webquests support student-centered learning by allowing the children to solve a problem with the teacher acting as a facilitator rather than a disseminator of information. Students are more actively engaged while working cooperatively with their peers to complete this type of activity. When the webquest is complete, the small groups can also then produce an artifact such as a VoiceThread, PowerPoint presentation, blog post, or wiki to demonstrate their learning.
Video conferences are another learning tool I hope to integrate more frequently in my teaching. Having searched the Polycom video conference website, I have found several interactive conferences that encourage active engagement in a student-centered environment. Students become responsible not only for their own learning, but also for the learning of their classmates by using reciprocal teaching strategies such as the jigsaw approach.
Finally, two long term goals for integrating technology into my classroom are using technology as a learning tool rather than as an instructional tool, and having my students create a blog to showcase their work throughout the year. To accomplish the goal of using learning tools, I plan to use on-line concept mapping tools when showing video clips so students need to “do something” with the information they are watching. Achieving the goal of student created blogs will begin in September when the class will work together to build a classroom blog. During the first few months of school, students will practice posting information to the blog so they can then begin creating their own blog using ePals, SchoolBlog, when they return from winter break in January.
