Reflecting on Technology Integration

With many diverse students learning styles represented in today’s classrooms, as teachers it is necessary to have a deep knowledge of all instructional strategies and learning theories. As I reflect on how I can incorporate technology into my current teaching style, I see support of several different instructional theories woven in my lesson plans as a result. I believe the most important aspect of each lesson is active learning, because it emphasizes high student engagement which is an essential aspect of not only achievement, but of creating a pro-social classroom environment.
Two technology tools that I can add easily to enhance my lesson objectives will use of Voice Thread technologies, and using Power Point to create a student artifact. It will be especially important to use these technology tools in a way that effectively reaches the desired learning outcome. I feel that as a result of taking this course, I have gained important knowledge that will help me in bridging learning theories with my classroom instruction, thus making my classroom even more stimulating for my students, which will in turn increase active participation and result in a higher level of student performance.
My long term goals will be to have students using technology I the first day of class so they we can become very comfortable incorporating them into are everyday class, and to build learning artifacts using a variety of technologies through out the school year. I can do the first few days’ procedures that involve getting to know you with voice thread, creating a power point slide of quick facts about yourself, or making a short video of yourself. As a result of that early school year prep, students will feel comfortable doing classroom project together all year.

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

I strongly believe in the assertions of social learning theories. The longer I teach the more I see the effectiveness of this important learning theory. In my recent experience I find that my school environment strongly supports these methods. I just sat last week in a meeting with several of my experienced colleagues and we discussed different strategies of engaging our students. Many of the ideas incorporated projects based on students learning together in a teacher created social learning environment. We are in an exciting time in our district, with many of us “tech heads” getting new technologies and brain storming ideas together to incorporate our technologies with our learning objectives. We are finding at times we are becoming consumed with technology use, and forgetting some of the basic science of teaching. Using technology to support our learning objectives, and create social learning model is important to our students learning 21st century skills.

Helping Students Be Successful With Homework

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Voice Thread