Reflecting on Technology

At the beginning of this course I had to come up with my “Personal Theory of Learning”. I discussed Vygotsky’s social development theory. I was introduced to this theory in my third education class in undergrad and I identified with it immediately. Especially the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and More Knowledgeable Other (MKO). The ZPD is what a students can do on their own and what they can do when a teacher or another person that is more knowledgeable (MKO) on the subject or skill is helping them (Learning Therories.com, 2013). The other theory I discussed was Gardner’s multiple intelligences. In his theory, “every individual possesses some degree of each of the intelligences he details…If any one of the intelligences is of significant capacity, the result is a prodigy in that area.” (Lever-Duffy, 2008). Both of these theories are still very important to my teaching style. However, this course opened my eyes to other theories and strategies; some of which I was already using. The elaboration and dual coding theories are two that I have added to learning theory. Elaboration theory states that “content to be learned should be organized from simple to complex order, while providing a meaningful context in which subsequent ideas can be integrated.”(Learning-Theories.Com, 2013, para 1). Dr. Orey states that dual coding is information that is stored two ways, with a picture and the labeling of that image (Laureate, 2011). One of the strategies I did not realize I was using was project based learning. With this students are creating an artifact; they are working together, and I have been using this for several years. This class also introduced me to many different technologies such as concept mapping software, virtual field trips, Voice Thread, and more. These different technologies have are very exciting for me as a teacher, and the students are having fun and learning at the same time. I have already started using Kidspiration for concept mapping in a couple of my classes with a great deal of success, as well as viritual field trips. I am working with a 3rd grade to make fractured fairy tales and I am looking into the animation sites I learned about from our technology resources. I think that will be a wonderful way to keep students engaged and learning. I also want to use Voice Thread much more, as well as blogging and wikis. Many of my older students use different social media sites and I think a wiki for things such as a book discussion would be useful and fun for the students. One of my long term goals is to get a set of Ipads for my library. Not only can tons of books be downloaded to them but the educational apps are awesome. l have a personal Ipad that I use on my smartboard with airserver. The students love using my ipad, especially on the big screen. The apps are great learning tools, and are fun for the students. To get ipads for my classroom I am going to have to beg, borrow, and plead. I am working with my local library board to help with funding, and I am also looking into grant writing. My other goal is to get more computers in one of my libraries. I have two school libraries, one has ten computers and the other has two. So it is a must to get more computers in that library. To get this technology into the hands of my students I plan to ask for donations of old computers that I can fix up and I am sending out letters to local businesses asking for their old laptops and desktop computers. I am also looking into different grants to buy computers. Both of my goals involve getting technology into the hands of my students. Learning to use technology is a hands-on process. It is my job to make sure that they have that technology to learn on. References Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program five: Cognitive learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1 Learning Theories.Com. (2013). Social Development Theory (Vygotsky). Retrieved from http://www.learning-theories.com/vygotskys-social-learning-theory.html Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is an instructional strategy that is part of the Social Learning theory. According to the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, “cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in a ways that enhance their learning (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, 2012, p. 73). This strategy has students working together, teaching each other, helping each other, to learn and create a product. This type of learning leans itself very well to technology. Using multimedia in cooperative groups can involve making videos, animations and websites. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn state that this “is a complex task that requires many roles and responsibilities…By nature, both multimedia projects and cooperative leaning groups require attention to detail in the planning process.” (2012, p.75). Students can build websites or use different sites, such as wikis, Facebook to collaborate. Another type of activity that works well with cooperative groups is WebQuests. These are “inquiry-based activities that allow students in a class or multiple locations to work together to learn about a particular subject or to tackle a particular project or problem.”(Pitler et al. 2012, p.83). WebQuests are very structured and “are designed to use learners’ time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners’ thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation (Pitler et al. 2012, p.83). They require students to think critically and increase depth of knowledge. Web-enabled multiplayer simulation games use human interaction inside a game. “Gaming simulation is an interactive learning environment that makes it possible to cope with complex authentic situations that are close to reality. At the same time, gaming simulation represents a form of cooperative learning through teamwork” (Pitler et al. 2012, p.84). The possibilities for learning with these types of learning are endless. Two other multimedia items that can be used in cooperative learning are shared bookmarking and course management programs. Shared boo marking sites allow a person to set up an account and bookmark websites in one place that can be accessed from any device that has internet access. Cooperative groups can use such sites to bookmark sites for their projects and categorize them. (Pitler et al. 2012, p.86). Anyone who has taking an online course has used some form of course management program, such as Blackboard. These sites are set up by teachers and are used to access information about a class, submit projects, and can be used for corporative learning. These sites have areas for learners to interact and collaborate on projects. Below I have Voice Thread I made to use in one of my classes. Voice thread is an online conversation that incorporates video, pictures, and people. It allows people to cooperate on projects from anywhere they have internet access. The project I have created is for one of my 4th grade classes. Enjoy!