Reflection: Final Blog Posting for 6711

As this class comes to a close, I did some reflecting on the knowledge I have gained over the last eight weeks. I took a look at my “Personal Theory of Learning” that I wrote during the first week of class and my feelings towards it is still pretty much the same. I discussed the difference and importance between learning theories and instructional theories. “Understanding learning is just the first step a teacher must take in planning effective instruction. Learning theory tells us how learning might occur” (Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. 2008). I used this quite in my paper and I feel it truly that teachers must first understand how young minds grow and discover new pieces of knowledge before any real learning takes place. Instructional theories than, “immerse” the mind in meaningful instruction according to Dr. Michael Orey (Laureate Educational Inc., 2008). Planning meaningful and interactive lessons is very important to me and I am currently working on creating new and exciting lessons for my classroom that will integrate more technology into learning. I also want to use more of the technologies that are available in my school for this upcoming school year.
Two technologies that I plan to use for this upcoming school year are the Flip video camera and the SMART Response clickers that accompany the SMART Board. My school got both of these tools during this past school year but I never used them. My plan is to use the Flip video camera to record group projects such as Readers Theater. I also want to use the Flip camera to record video for Voice Threads. The SMART Response clickers (use to be Senteo clickers) will be great when reviewing for spelling, math, and reading tests. My students and I can plan games such as Jeopardy while using the SMART Response clickers. I can also create my tests, pull them up on the SMART Board, and have my students take the test by using the clickers. I look forward to using both technologies in my classroom.
Along with some immediate changes that I plan to make in the classroom, I also have several long term goals. My first goal is to become better acquainted with some of the technologies discussed in this course as well as previous courses. I want to become experienced and learn more about Voice Threads, blogs, wiki’s, concept mapping, Microsoft Excel, Moodle, and many other technologies that I have used once or read about. I feel that this is an important and necessary goal to have because I need to be knowledgeable and understand how these technologies work in order to effectively teach my students. My final goal is to stay current with technology. Technology is always changes and my goal is to stay as current as possible. I will try to achieve this goal by reading books and articles related to technology. I also want to go to workshops and any other professional development opportunities that may involve technology.
In conclusion, this class has been very meaningful, exciting, and has really made me want to learn even more about what technology is available for teachers and students to use. I am currently making adjustments to my instruction and to plan to create even more meaningful activities and lessons while incorporating new technologies into my classroom.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author

Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.