Reflection on Bridging Learing Theory

The final week of reflection is always exciting. I get to see all that I have learned and wrap up another class on the way to a Master's Degree. Fun Stuff!

As I look back on the first paper that I wrote for this class, I really don't think that I have changed that much. Rather I think that this class has reinforced some of my basic beliefs about students and learning. Students learn in many ways, and I don't think that I will ever be in just one camp when it comes to a learning theory. I believe that the Behaviorist have it right when it come to actions. Students learn from experiencing consequences and reinforcements. The evidence for that is solid. I can't argue with it. But that is all about how students act. When it comes to what students think, I am still a cognitivist. Students have to map, organize and file all of the information that comes there way. Their minds are not simply video recorders, their minds are much more powerful and complex objects. The ideas presented in this course about dual coding and concept mapping all make too much sense to ignore! The only real changes that I can say I will make when it comes to my view on learning theory is the addition of social learning and constructivism. The evidence and thoughts provided by Dr. Orey really make sense. I never realized how much of an influence the people around us make when it comes to how we view the world. The "more knowledgeable other" is a sound idea, and I will look to that whole theory as I start to plan lessons.

The immediate change that I am going to make in my own instructional practice is an important one. I am going to do everything I can to get the students be active in their learning. I rely to much on the passive form of lecture. I would say that 90% of my teaching is lecture and examples. It is no wonder that my students shut down at the end of the year. It has to be extremely boring! I am going to make sure now that whenever I plan a lesson, I am going to first ask myself how I can make this an active process.

Two tools that I am going to use to accomplish the aforementioned change are the Voice Threads and Concept maps. When I was working with those tools, I was fully involved. They were fun to use, and they were not hard to integrate into lesson plans. I already have two lessons that I am envisioning for this upcoming school year. They will be great tools to have in the tool belt.

There are two long-term goals that I have for my instructional practice. First, I want to stay up with the newest forms of technology. To do this, I plan on attending all of the professional development that is offered to me. I also will take the time to search the Internet for the newest trends on the Blogs and teacher sponsored sites.

My second goal is to be as students centered as possible. This goes along with my immediate change that I want to make, but I want to make sure that this is a change that will last! I actually want to get very good at it and share it with my colleagues. I eventually want to have a position where part of my job will be advocating technology and all of its great uses to my building.

It has been a fun class and I am looking forward to the second half of the Master's Program. 5 down, 5 to go!

Tyler

Wrap up for Week 5

Thanks to everyone who commented on the Voice Thread and Thanks Leilani for the comment on the blog.

I will take your advice on trying to get students there on time. Consistency will be the key.

Leilani, the veteran teachers are still my MKO in my building. They will be for some time.


See you all next week as we get through another new piece of technology,

Tyler