Reflection

Prior to this course, my “Personal Theory of Learning” was to address the auditory, visual, language, and disability needs of my students. I typically used direct instruction / lecture style with an occasional group lesson, activity, or quiz. Last year, I received a SMART Board and LCD projector. Technology was used to do the same things in a different way. This course has taught me that I used technology as an instructional tool. However, technology needs to be used to do different things instead of just doing things differently (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008). My “Personal Theory of Learning” will still address the individual learning needs of my students but also prepare them with the skills necessary for the 21st century such as collaboration, team work, and technology.

This current school year, I plan to make adjustments in my instructional strategies. Lessons and activities need to be more interactive and collaborative. Notes need to include visual images and graphics that help the students make connections/links to the information. Concept maps/graphic organizers can help student’s link new information to prior knowledge. Technology can support me in making these changes. My Webspiration allows users to create concept maps which provide a visual picture of how content information links with prior knowledge as well as real-life application. SMART Board can be used to create interactive notes for instruction of new concepts. Communication software such as blogs, wikis, email, etc. allow for students to collaborate outside the classroom in order to complete a task. Multimedia software such as Power Point and Voice Thread provide a tool for students to create projects that demonstrate their learning. Technology needs to be used as a learning tool instead of solely as an instructional tool.

A teacher could easily feel overwhelmed with the numerous methods and tools available to them to support and enhance the learning of students. Instead of trying to make all the changes at once, I plan on taking small steps and make steady progress. My first goal is to make instruction more student-centered and gradually change my role to more of a facilitator. The strategy to achieve this goal is to create notes/instruction for at least one new lesson/topic of each unit each year. Since each unit contains about 4 topics, the majority of the lessons will be student-centered in about 3 – 4 years. Secondly, I plan to create and assign more collaborative projects as unit assessments. To achieve this goal, I will introduce two to three new assessments each year. In about 3 -4 years, all the unit assessments will be collaborative projects.

The saying “slow and steady wins the race” comes to mind. As a person who desires to be an effective educator, changes need to be implemented slowly and successfully. If one becomes overwhelmed, the lessons, activities, or projects will not be successful and the learning of students will be affected. My job is to facilitate, help, and support students in learning to be successful and productive in the 21st century.


References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). The Emergence of Educational Technology[Motion Picture]. In Walden University: Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society. Los Angeles: Author