Reflection

My personal learning theory will always center around, first, building relationships with students. How can you teach a child you don't know? I think many of the learning theories relate to one another on some level. I, like the behaviorist, believe the behavior and learning is a result of external stimuli. I consider that stimuli to be those most influential to students throughout life. Mothers that read and sing to their babies while still in their stomach are already stimulating their babies brain. Children that come from stable, loving, nurturing homes are more likely to be successful in school. Children raised in homes where family reading is done, family talks are held, and there is respect and appreciation for education; those children are more likely to be successful in school as well. It is the external stimuli that is setting the foundation and sustaining the learning process.

Technology is another external stimuli that is having a major impact on learning. As technology continues to be designed for educational purposes and the field of education continues to embrace and utilize the emerging technology, the learning theories will continue to be reexamined as they relate to technology. One technology tool that my students are excited about is VoiceThread. After visiting the website, my students were exciting about uploading pictures and video and communicating through this medium. Whenever students are excited about learning, it is exciting for teachers. Another technology tool my students are interested in is Epals. I thought my high school students might think communication with other students in other countries was kind of elementary, but they were actually excited about the idea. The are curious to learn about the structure of the school day and credits to graduate and other things relevant to them. Getting students excited about an assignment is a major task. Students are already engulfed in technology, so bringing technology into the classroom is like meeting them where they are as opposed to bringing them to where we are as teachers.

Looking forward, this is an exciting time to be in education. I feel a shift in the way classroom instruction has been done for many many years; and educational technology is playing a major role in that shift. One personal, long term, goal I have is to find some creative ways of using cell phones in the classroom to integrate into lessons. I need to do some research to find school districts or schools or even teachers that have shared lessons using cell phones. Students are so attached to cell phones, I think if curriculum could some how be tied into using the cell phone there would be instant buy in to any lesson. Another long term goal is to take a more active role in my school in educating teachers on the benefits of educational technology. Many teachers continue to be reluctant to use any form of educational technology with their students. I could take time during staff development, throughout the year, to share different educational technology tools being used across the country and their benefits. The only way some teachers will start to use technology in the classroom is alleviate their fear of using it.

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

I was considered a social butterfly by all my teachers in school. I am sure they would confirm that I had the social part down pact, but certainly could have put more effort into the learning aspect.

I love the idea of students working together on a variety of task in class and around school. School today can be such social nightmare for students: how do I dress, how do I walk, how do I talk, long hair/short hair or bald, pierced or not, tattooed or not, sports or not, and on and on with the decision; all rooted in what others will think. When teachers implement cooperative learning activities in their classrooms, I feel like it alleviates the stress of yet another decision in school. The teacher selects the groups and gives the assignment and the students are free to explore new people with alike and different thoughts and ideas. 21st Century Skills call for students who can think critically, communicate well, collaborate, and are creative. Connectivisms and social learning practices allow students to learn and grow in all of the mentioned key skills.

Technology facilitates a broader exploration into cooperative learning and other social learning practices. "Communication with students in other cities, states, and countries broadens the perspective of students and challenges them to learn about other cultures, languages, and issues throughout the world" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). There are wikis and blogs designed just for educators to use with their students that make connecting and communicating with other students easier. There are website designed to help students create their own web pages and web sites. The possibilities are really endless when technology is embedded into social learning practices.

One final thought is that technology is universal for kids; they all love it. I think technology has the power, particularly within the classroom, to make students forget about their differences and focus on learning.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

School Dress Code Discussion

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