Voice Thread

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Social Theory

One of the great social theory approaches that we learned about in this weeks resources is the jigsaw strategy. This described by Dr. Orey and he states, that students learn about certain subjects and then they are able to teach them to the class. This helps the students to do their own research cooperatively and find a ways as a group to present to everyone else. I believe this is an effective way to use the social theory as long a the perameters are set by the teacher and each group follows them. According to Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, there are a few strategies that they talk about where blog sites and wikis are used and students can interact socially through the different technology (p. 150). they also said that when allowing studnets to work together they are allowed to share ideas to create better sites that would include more valid information compared to them creating their own. Blogs and wikis are a great technology tool that helps the students to strenghten the assignment as well as to furture the discussion topics.

Trenton

Constructivism and Constructionist Learning Theories

Dr. Orey explains that we as teacher must prepare ourselves and our students for technology. He also talks about specific mechanisms that help the learners to get involved in this process. The first one he talks about is the assimilation, which he states is external reality that is made to fit current beliefs. The second mechanism is accommodation, which suggests that the meaning is fit externally to connect with reality. And the last one is equilibration, which explains how balance is achieved. When we as teachers can get students actively engaged in using their creativity they will create something that is unique and makes sense to them. I believe we are responsible for teaching students what they is expected and the knowledge so they can create their own project which allows for them to be creative and construct the assignment. I think allowing a student to learn on their own will help the student to understand the process and they will remember the information. This will also help the students to engage in higher learning. The idea of having the students to create spreadsheets and power points that will help them to understand information they have learned as well as past experiences.

Trenton

COGNITIVE LEARNING THEORIES

Cognitive learning theorists believe learning is a process that begins with information entering through our senses!! After this information enters it is processed and then storied in short-term or long-term memory. As educators, it should be our goal to ensure that information that we teach reaches long-term memory. The best way we can ensure that it reaches this stage is to directly relate the information to that of existing information. The better connection we can make with that student, the more likely they are going to retain the information!!
During this week’s resources they gave several examples that help me to better understand the principles of the cognitive learning theory.

The first example that I really like was the use of brainstorming with inspiration rapid fire tool. This could really help with our school because they are really encouraging all subjects to focus on writing. When using this tool students will really be able to use visual representation of their main ideas in the form of a web. This would be a very valuable lesson to use concept maps in my Health classes to help the students to remember and visualize the information.

The second example given in our text is the AutoSummarize tool by Word. This tool helps the students to reduce the amount of information and chunks it together into a manageable summarization. After they have chosen the key words they will need to summarize the information that the computer automatically summarized.

The last example that I am going to give is virtual field trips. I myself find this to be the most interesting because this is a powerful tool that can create a superb learning environment. This tool is great because the field trips allow the students to develop great long –term memory for the information. All of the above are great examples of cognitive-based tools that will help the students to will expand their knowledge, increase their cognitive thinking, and increase their abilities to recall and apply the information from the their long-term memory.

Tkeller

Behaviorism

Behaviorism I believe still has its place in the classroom. Whether it is by way of classroom management and getting desirable behaviors from students, or technology such as tutorials, we want students to understand there are expectations that directly correlate with learning. We as teachers have set an understanding of what we require the behavior to be if the students don’t follow the behavior plan they understand what the consequences will be. This will create a superior classroom environment that is safe, organized, and enjoyable for the students and my self.

One strategy that correlates with the behaviorist learning theory is reinforcing effort. Reinforcing effort as stated by Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski in Using technology with classroom instruction that works, “The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning” (2007, p. 155). This is important because students need to understand how the effort of studying directly correlates with the grade that they are receiving. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski also state two generalization that “not all students realize the importance of believing in effort and students can learn to operate from a belief that effort pays off even if they do not initially have this belief” (p. 155). As I stated above we have to help our students to understand how this works. Also we need to evaluate whether the students are putting forth the effort. This will allow use to talk to the students about the assignment and come to an understanding about why they got the grade they did. Some of the things we will be able to discuss with them are, are they taking notes, do we have there attention, are they doing there homework, ect..

According to Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski, “as an extension of the classroom, homework provides opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the content and to gain proficiency with their skills” (p. 187). I believe that assigning homework is a reasonable way for students to practice what is being taught in class. However, there are some teacher that choose to give a student busy work for homework. I disagree with this. Students should be required to do homework that is going to benefit them. Another good quote I found that supports this is again from Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski. They stated that “Having students practice a skill or concept enhances their ability to reach the expected level of proficiency. This shows that students gaining knowledge for the work. Also, students will understand that they will be reinforced for good behavior and punished for undesirable behaviors. Both the instructional strategies of reinforcing effort and homework and practice have a positive association that relates to the behaviorist theory.


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

Reflection

By Kellert

What is course has helped me with is to understand and become familiar with 21st century technology. I have lots of different accesses to technology through my school tech teacher as well as thorough my school website. Before I started this class I didn’t really know how to use any of the technology available to me. Now I have an understanding of how to use blogs, wikis, and podcasts. All of these tools are useful as teachers to teach our students and also to use these in the real world. Student have taking big leaps to be exciting and get involved with technology. I am now in the process of creating some really fun lessons that the students will be able to use the 21st technologies that we have learned.

I now have a better arsenal for teaching these lessons. I can create wikis for class by uploading different assignments and chats. I can add my different podcasts to my website that will explain different assignments if students miss class and need to further explanation. As I stated above I have a better variety of things I can teach. Even though I am a PE and Health teacher I can still teach students about technology and how it is use. They are learning great content that will help them enhance their lifelong skills.

During this course I have modified from teacher-centered to learner-centered, because the students are changing to a more involved learning style. Or maybe they have been this learner-centered way the entire time and we as teachers are finally learning how to approach the students to utilize our time. I do feel that I have a little upper hand because I am a young teacher and I don’t necessarily have to change too much. I find it easy to vary my lessons and change my routine, maybe compared to a teacher that is more or less stuck in their ways.
In order for me to be a successful teacher I will have to keep looking for new ways to help further my teaching strategies as well as to learn new content. This will help me to have a better arsenal of weapons to use. I believe that everyone is a “Lifelong Leaner” and will need to continue their education. After I complete my masters program I will still be looking for new ways to further my education. Other areas that I will look forward to learning about are traits of reading and writing.

One of the long term goals that I have created is that I want to use technology within the classroom a few days of week. There are so many cool things you can do with technology and I am going to definitely explore those different routes. Another long term goal that I have is to further my website and post lots of podcasts and wikis that help student understand assignments and what I expect from them in class. Also with the wikis I can post lost of valuable resources for them to use.

As I visited the website I observed some really good informative content. I also like the fact that if you like what the site offered you can subscribe to their email updates. The of the things the site also talked about was bridging the gap between how students live using technology and how they learn with it at school. While at home students are learning and teaching themselves how to use Ipods, cell phones, computers, video games, and other technology devices. With that being said, I believe we are failing are students by not bridging the gap here at school. The website mentions the keys to the 21st Century learning. I find there is a big problem with these keys because our schools are built around the 20th Century curriculum as well as our technology. How as teachers are we supposed to teach this new age of technology, but follow the 21st century curriculum. However, I so agree that the 21st Century offers new and exciting challenge.

I found the six elements of 21st Century education very interesting. One area in particular that took me by surprise was the 21st Century content. I truly believe the content mentioned in this section: global awareness, financial, economic and business literacy, and civic literacy should be the goal of our education system. Now, I do understand the need for students having basic skills in the core subjects, but the main goal of schools should be for students to apply these basic skills to the 21st Century content. As I read, what surprised me the most is I do not feel schools really teach students global awareness, financial, econmic and business literacy, and civic literacy, which is really what students need to be a successful and responsible citizen. Instead, schools teach to the test and unfortunately, tests do not accurately measure real world applications.
There was only one thing on this site that I disagreed with, and it was more implied then stated. The website makes it seem as if it is an easy task implementing these strategies. Teachers are constantly struggling to get through all the required material, ensuring student understanding, and finding funding for new programs. I do agree with Learning for the 21st Century, but I do feel it would be quite a challenge to implement the suggested strategies and ensure student understanding.


Learning for the 21st Century has several implications for both students and teachers. Students would graduate from high school being better prepared for the workforce and life in general. It would give students a firm foundation for college employers to build upon. I believe students would see a purpose to learning and would answer the perpetual question “When will I ever use this? ” Teachers, on the other hand, would have new challenges, most of which I mentioned previously. Teachers would have to be creative and design lessons that would focus on core content knowledge, and show its real world application. Teachers would have to resist the temptation of teaching to the test, and teach meaning of the content. Although teachers may have to put more time and effort into new lessons, the payoff would be well worth it!