Class Reflection

Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology has opened my eyes to many new ideas. I have been exposed to numerous technology tools that can be incorporated into my classroom. I have learned that technology is a great way to instruct students and there are many tools that can be used that are fun and interesting to students. This class has opened my eyes as a teacher on the importance of having technology in the classroom. We are a technological world and our students should have the opportunity to use the technology while they learn.

An adjustment that I would like to make immediately in my classroom is the amount of technology that is being used by my students. I felt that I used some technology in my classroom but when I really stepped back to look at what was being used I noticed that I was using majority of the technology and not my students. I would like to have my students using the technology more and having me as a facilitator. I would like to start incorporating Voice Thread as well as more virtual field trips being used in my class. Voice Thread is a great opportunity for the students to make the learning more meaningful by creating a project and the virtual field trips allow for students to go places they may never get to go to in person.

Two long term goals that I would like to set in my classroom would be the following
1. Start next year with one technology lesson a week and then build from there. By the end of the year I would like to be incorporating more technology in my lessons a week.
-In order to achieve this goal I will be using this summer to plan out different technology that I could incorporate into lessons that I plan on teaching. Since I taught the same grade last year I know what lesson I will most likely be teaching so I can start to think which technology would go with which lesson.
2. Have the students monitor their own progress.
-To achieve this goal I myself must be familiar with the spreadsheet layout that I would like my students to be using. I will begin this summer by finding a spreadsheet that is kid friendly and practicing on how to use the program so that I can have my students monitor their own success next year.

Here is my Voice Thread...Just copy and paste the link below.


voicethread.com/share/1196650/

Social Learning

Social learning is a great way for students to discuss topics with one another and learn from each other. An activity that I do with my students is jigsaw activities. This is where certain groups or students are experts on their particular topic and then share to the rest of the class. This activity is very beneficial in a lot of ways. For one students are able to become experts on what they are talking about so that they have the best understanding possible. Instead of students trying to cramp in everything they are able to focus on one topic and then listen to others discuss their topics. This allows for the students to do more of the teaching and allow for the teacher to be the facilitator.

Another activity that our county actually uses all the time is think, pair, share. My county has all the teachers complete the I do, We do, You do model of teaching. This allows for the teacher to model the skill, the students to work on the skill together, and then allow for them to work on it on their own. This is a great way to have the students communicate their thoughts and ideas to one another before really being on their own. It is a perfect time for them to ask any questions that they might be having and allow for their peers to help them better understand the topic.

Social learning is very beneficial for students to interact with others in their class or even around the world through technology while they are learning. Students will be faced with interactions in their work area so now is the best time to have them use the skill. Allowing individuals to communicate while learning is beneficial because it allows for more questions and discussion. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one!