Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology Reflection

Over the pasts several weeks, this course has made me consider my personal learning theory of how learning takes place as well as on how I teach. Not much have change when considering how I believe students learning best. To me, the social learning theory matches my beliefs closely in that it involves cooperative learning. For my science class, collaborative group activities prove to work better for my students. With this said, my personal theory of learning stays the basically the same. Nevertheless, I my personal theory of learning now includes a constructionist approach as well. When I consider project based assignments I give my students once each nine weeks, the constructivism seems more prominent. This theory of learning also shapes my teaching as well as my student's learning. Needless to say, other theories such as the behaviorist theory play a small role in teaching and learning in my classroom especially when considering classroom procedures and routines.

With regards to instructional practice that involves technology, I use technology to do the same things in different ways. This course has introduced me to other ways of using technology. I discovered ways to integrate technology as learning tools rather than as teaching tools. For example, although I was intimidated at first by using it, Voice Threads may become hit with my easily disengaged student. Voice Threads enhance cooperative learning. Other uses of technology as learning tool include student created power point presentations from the curriculum they learn. Furthermore, classroom blogs on key concepts and use the teaching strategy of reciprocal teaching to help students with skills such as summarizing, and predicting are great. These are a few ways to use technology in my instructional practices; but, I plan to explore the other technological integrations as I grow as a teacher.

Considering the swiftness of the technological revolution, it is imperative for me to make a conscious effort to use the resources that are available for me and my students. Therefore, I pledge to continue to explore the endless possibilities of these technological resources and instructional strategies as learning and teaching tools.