Reflective Essay

At the beginning of this course i wrote about my Personal Learning Theory. I stress the importance of my students being engaged in the work we do in the classroom by being personally invested in what we are doing. I put great effort into getting to know my students so I can incorporate their unique personalities and interests into what we do each day. I also stressed. I also have a constructivist perspective when it comes to my teaching. “For constructivist, knowledge is a constructed element resulting from the learning process. Further, knowledge is unique to the individual who constructs it” (Lever-Duffy, McDonald, p.16, 2008). This class has made me understand this to an even greater degree. My students must be involved with what they are learning. The more "hands-on" the more success I will see in my classroom. With the ideas I presented in my paper, I would now ass the importance of the Social Learning Theory. Although there are times me students will create and learn independently, I know that they benefit the most from working with others. Our course resources clearly explained why the social interaction is so crucial to learning. This is especially true when using technology. When my students are using technology, it is many of their first times doing so. They are more confident when they are able to explore these new tools with each other.

My immediate adjustments I 'll make in my classroom will be focusing on more technology than simply computer programs. I realized that most of my students technological experiences were on academic review programs on the computer. Two new tools that I will introduce to my students are Voice Threads and Virtual Field Trips. I plan to have my students record themselves while reading with their fifth grade buddies. Since we will start using Voice Threads later in the year I felt my kids would benefit from working with their older peers. I already have my Virtual Field Trip to the San Diego Zoo planned in my animal unit in May. My class will be going to a local zoo the last week of May so I am excited that they will be able to make comparisons to their Virtual Field Trip which they will have already taken.

I have two long term goals that I will make when using technology in my classroom. The first, I mentioned when discussing my personal learning theory and that is to have my students work together more frequently when using technology. I much to often have my students working independently in front of a computer screen. My second goal, is to use a broader variety of technology and not limit myself to what I am comfortable using. My students deserve to have as many technical experiences as possible. This course has already provided me with many more technology rich activities that I can use in my classroom! Now, I need to continue educating myself about technological opportunities for my students.

VoiceThread

http://voicethread.com/share/889929/

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

"When students work in cooperative groups, they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others (Johnson, Johnson, & Stanne, 2000) When students participate in cooperative learning they are both the teacher and students. They would with a partner or a group to try to achieve a common goal. This could be through a simple discussion or over a month long project. Cooperative learning supports the Social Learning Approach in many ways. In my understanding they are almost one in the same. Both concepts focus on learning with and from other and the environment around you.

Whenever I am teaching I try to remind myself of what is most important and that is for my students to be able to apply what they are learning in the real world When children learn to work with each other in order to be successful they are learning one of the most important life skills that there is. In everyday life outside of school we interact with people everywhere. Even more importantly the job force almost demands the ability to work with others and people who cannot, loose out on job prospects. If my students can learn to apply what they are learning while gaining teamwork and social skills, then I feel that I have done my job.