REFLECTION OF Weeks 1-7
In week 1, I wrote
my “Personal Theory of Learning” and I most definitely wrote it without the
vast amount of knowledge that I now have as a result of taking this
course. My theory was based on a
teacher-centered classroom and as I reread it, I felt somewhat ashamed. I saw myself as a really good teacher as I
constantly created new ways to make the classroom fun with the use of games,
and flash cards, and competitions.
Although these strategies are useful in my classroom, and promote a fun
learning environment, it lacks technology and it lacks the Constructivist Theory that Dr. Orey
constantly promoted in the videos. Consequently,
my strategies keep me front and center most times, and doesn’t allow my
students to create. (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).
In this course, I
fully comprehend the difference between a technology tool where the teacher
simply presents information, and a Learning tool where the teacher promotes
learning with the use of technology in a student centered classroom verses a
teacher centered classroom (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Consequently, I will adjust my instructional
practice by integrating technology into my lesson plan wherever possible in an
effort to make students more responsible for their own learning, and to make
learning exciting and rewarding for them with the use of technology.
Until recently, my
students were not utilizing any of the resources that Dr. Orey, Dr. Pikering,
and the other presenters mentioned, and they are not necessarily creating any
artifacts (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).
The reason is that I had never
heard of many of the resources that are available to me before taking this
class. I am excited to be able to take what I have learned back into the
classroom, and watch my students utilize such resources as FAKEBOOK, VIRTUAL
FIELD TRIPS, and my favorite, VOICETHREAD.
These tools will enhance my student’s learning as they take full responsibility
for their learning experience. By
working collaboratively, as mentioned in the videos, students will get a sense
of working as a team to accomplish a common goal. Group collaboration during learning, also
takes me, the teacher, away from the front of the classroom, and allows me to
mix and mingle as I support my student’s efforts. I am excited to utilize the instructional
skills and technological resources that I have gained in this course.
The first long-term
goal changes that I plan to make to my instructional practice regarding the
integration of technology is to place myself in a position to share what I have
learned with my colleagues and other teachers in the Northern Virginia
area. Taking this class has been a
blessing, as I see advantages developing in the work place. My workplace is undergoing a huge transition
in an attempt to receive a new certification.
Ironically, the integration of technology into the curriculum has become
a top priority. I have been nominated
the “Chairmen” of a new committee called The Technology Committee. I have
been nominated as the person to receive additional training in order to teach
my colleagues what I am actually learning in this course.
The second Long-term
goal change that I have already implemented in my instructional practice is the
implementation of technology in most or of (or all of) my lesson plans. I plan to go through each link that I have
seen during this course and the last one, and compile them in a
spreadsheet. I’ve already started using
a resource called DELICIOUS (thank you Professor Arnold), which allows me to
keep all of the links that I have recorded in one place. It is my goal to learn how to use them all so
that I am knowledgeable in the use of each one.
Thank you, Professor
Arnold for all of the resources, and for a job well-done.
References:
(Laureate Education,
Inc., 2011).
