EDUC 6711: Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology: Reflection

At the beginning of this course the challenge was to reflect about our personal theory of learning. Indications are that teachers teach in the mode they learn. It is always important to keep in mind that children learn in many different ways. In doing some on-line questionnaires, I found that I was multimodal in terms of learning. I believe this to be true because as I look at the assignments I give my students, I find there are choices for students of different learning styles to show their best work.

This course has offered several instructional tools and practices that use technology in a variety of ways in different lessons. Two practices that stood out for me and that I can use immediately were cooperative learning and summarizing and note taking. Incorporating technology into a group setting can be beneficial for all students. Group members can put together a page on a wiki, make a movie, or a variety other technology based projects. In doing this students can create meaning together and then share that information with others. In other words, students can teach their peers. Teaching middle years has taught me that not every child has the ability to take good notes. This skill may develop later in a child’s school career. Using a concept map to put together thoughts and ideas works well. Concept maps allow students to put ideas together in a way that makes sense to them. Depending on the concept map application students will use, adding pictures or characters can add even more meaning. A combination of words and pictures strengthens learning.

Two long-term changes in instructional practice I will apply to my teaching are reinforcing effort and homework and practice. These two items go together closely together. I would like to see students track their effort using technology in order for them to see the changes in their grades. To this, I would like to have websites for students to use in their homework practice. Even seeing the necessity for homework would be a positive step forward.

No matter the instructional practice, it is important to put technology in the hands of students so they can generate product and show their understanding and learning.