Final thoughts about the past 8 weeks!

In the beginning of the course my personal teaching philosophy was that the majority of elementary students are hands on learners and do extremely well when given the opportunity to create their own learning. Now that the course is coming to an end I still feel that many students today learn by doing, but I would also add that they learn by interacting. Students who work cooperatively and collaboratively with their peers are still very much able to create their own learning, but they have each other to share ideas, opinions, and knowledge with.

In order to nurture the creativity of each student and their need to work with one another in situations that allow them to explore their creativity, I need to make modifications to the strategies I use in my classroom. Throughout the course we were presented with many wonderful technology tools that can be used to support any learning style. One such tool that I will incorporate into my teaching is the use of Voice Threads. These “interactive photo albums” will allow my students to share their work, make modifications to another’s work or simply make comments on the work of their peers. This tool will also be used as an electronic portfolio that will travel with our students from one grade level to the next. In addition to the voice threads I will also make use of WebQuest and concept maps. Using WebQuests in the classroom will “allow students in my class or from multiple locations to work together to learn about a particular subject…” (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Maleoski, K., 2007). WebQuests are a great way for students to feel in control of their learning and be fully involved in the lesson. Concept maps will be a wonderful tool for students to use when completing a WebQuest or research. It will allow my students to organize their thoughts using graphics and words.

One goal I have for my future instruction is to educate my students on as much of the technology as possible and what it can all do. Even though I find all of this technology to very interesting I must remember that to get the most out of it is to allow my students to opportunity to explore it. Many times students are unfamiliar with the tools that are presented in class therefore, it is my job to teach them about the tool and then show them all the things that can be done using the tool. Many students know much more about technology than I do, but they still need to be made aware of how they can be used to help them learn. To do this I must provide students with exploration time. During this time they can play with it and see what they can get it to do. Once this is done, I will then complete a whole group lesson that demonstrates how it can be used to help them grow academically. Another thing I wish to improve upon is the giving of options. Knowing that all students learn differently, I must design lessons and integrate technology to support that. Not only must I do this in the lessons I teach, but I must also encourage it in presentation and projects that my students complete. Students must have a variety of tools to choose from that will allow them to show what they know. To do this I plan on providing students with at least two to three forms of technology that they can use to present their information to the class. This can be done by blogging, voice threads, PowerPoint, etc.

Dr. Michael Orey stated that “learning is the act of constructing knowledge, making meaning and making sense of the world” (Laureate Education, 2009). The knowledge obtained and technology tools shared throughout this course can easily help students in any classroom develop cognitively and socially in order to make meaning of the world around them.

Resources:

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

Orey, Michael (Ed.).(2009). Connectivism as a Learning Theory. Los Angeles: Laureate Education

Voice Thread

The use of voice threads can be very beneficial for students in the classroom. They are very easy to use and for this reason can be used by my third graders with ease.

http://voicethread.com/share/782503/

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

Chapter seven of the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works presents learning strategies and techniques that correspond with the beliefs of the social learning theories. Social learning theories are defined as "the collaborative conversations and interactions that take place when the students create an artifact (Laureate Education, 2009).

The strategies described in this chapter support the collaboration and interaction between students, teachers and professionals in other fields. Each strategy encourages individuals to work together in order to accomplish a common goal. One specific technique that was discussed was the JASON project. I found this particular web resource very intriguing. The JASON project is an opportunity for "students to become part of a virtual research community, accompanying real researchers in real time as they explore everything from oceans to rainforests to polar regions to volcanoes" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007). I enjoyed learning that there is a resource that enables students to become involved in expeditions that they normally would not have the opportunity to embark on.

In addition to the JASON project there are many other strategies that encourage communication and interaction between students in other cities, states and countries. All the resources presented in this chapter promote cooperative learning opportunities that will help prepare the students "for the fast paced, virtual workplace that they will inherit" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007).


Resources:
Orey, Michael (Ed.). (2009)Social learning theories. Los Angeles: Laureate Education.

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