Reflection for EDUC 6711

After the completion of this course, I have great insight on the learning theories. Although many adaptations are being made based on current research, learning theories’ overall purposes did not change. This course deepened my knowledge by focusing me to review the uniqueness of each learner. For a deeper understanding of how learning occurs, you must first examine the underlying psychological views of human behaviors (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2008). One size does not fit all sums up my viewpoints.

The immediate change I plan to take into my instructional practice is creating higher order thinking questions that require the students to use their environment to assist with answering. Students can learn from their interaction and not just solely on the information that the educator has provided. As an educator, awareness of these differing views helps you understand the options you have in approaching the design of an instructional event and, indeed, the entire learning environment (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2008). My repertoire was expanded because I must use instructional strategies and technological tools that can activate prior knowledge and establish the skill or concept in long term memory.

Long Term Goals:
1. Present learning style questionnaires and take the students’ responses as my top priority when I am creating a lesson/project.
2. Incorporate 2 technological tools per week to assist the students in preparing for the future.






Sources:

Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical foundations (Laureate Education, Inc.,
custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc

Voice Thread

My Voice Thread consists of major problems that actively play a major role in the performance of my school/location. In order for my particular school to move forward, all the key components (parents, students, and community) that affect success must join together to help delete this struggle. I communicated my issue with the addition of pictures and voice commentations about the specifics of each image. In order for a change to occur, a problem must be stated so that the outsiders can hypothesize about possible solutions. I hope you enjoy this project as I tried my best to manipulate this technology.


Website:


https://voicethread.com/share/2694001/


Embed Code:

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

The social learning theory emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others (Culatta, 2012). Social learning theory explains human behavior in terms of continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, an environmental influences (Culatta, 2012). This instructional approach creates a collaborative/cooperative learning environment that is student-centered; removing the prominence of a teacher led instructional setting. The instructional strategy of cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Knowledge is derived from each student’s personal knowledge and environment.

Educational technologies can be used to enhance and support the teaching-learning process at any number of points in the process (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2008). The technological tools, listed within the text Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, allow the learners to engage with others instantly and to construct technological tools based on their personal knowledge & experiences. Teaching, learning, and technology work together to achieve the ultimate goal of effective knowledge transfer (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2008). Multimedia, Webquests, and Keypals are activities that require the learners to collaboratively retrieve knowledge from others as well as place their input on specified information. Although I do not have experience using majority of the tools, I can see how the integration of the tools can engage students in higher order thinking as well as build an instructional setting that is student-centered.


Sources:
Culatta, R. (2012). Social learning theory. Retrieved on February 1, 2012 from:
http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/social-learning.html

Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc

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