Blog:
Final Reflection
Step 1
Most
of my personal learning theory from week one for the most part still holds
true. There is one modification I will implement moving forward. Originally I stated that I would have a classroom
where Connectivism and Constructivism (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a) are the
learning theories used the majority of the time. I still plan on incorporating
both learning theories into my curriculum; however the majority of the time
will be dedicated to the social learning theory. I believe that the social learning theory combined
with the cooperative learning and a technology tool like voice thread is the
most powerful combination in a teacher’s arsenal.
Step 2
Before
I took this class my list of technology tools was a document camera and a smart
board. There are now several technology
tools I plan on implementing along with the social learning theory and
cooperative learning are: blogs, wikis, virtual field trips, web quests, concept
mapping, and voice threads. Any of these
technologies I just listed combined with social learning theory and cooperative
learning will create the strongest connections, be the most authentic, and will
meet the most diverse needs in the classroom.
Step 3
Two long
term goals I will implement is replacing my weekly newsletter to parents with a
class wiki that will be online and have the ability to access anywhere and
anytime. I plan on first creating and
sharing a blog with my students and parents.
As they become comfortable with following the blog and responding to it,
I will then switch gears and create a classroom wiki that will eventually
replace the weekly newsletter. The
second long term goal I have is assign this year’s heritage project as a voice
thread. I may have to introduce it a
couple of months ahead of time, and model how to navigate, create, and respond
to a voice thread. I may have to have a
special parent meeting to introduce the voice thread, and teach parents how to
navigate, create, and respond to a voice thread. I understand that there will have to be a lot
of bugs I have to sort and fix along the way.
I will be patent with parent and students and not assign official classroom
presentations until I see that students and parent are understanding how to use
a voice thread and hopefully having fun and creating some really interesting voice threads.
Behaviorism in Practice
Dr.
Michael Orey stated in the video segment Behaviorist Learning Theory that
some experts say behaviorism is dead (Laureate Education, Inc.,
2011). He stated that behaviorism is used every day in everything that we
do (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Dr. Michael Orey also stated in
the video segment Behaviorist Learning Theory that reinforcement is
more powerful than punishment.
From
the book, Using Technology With Classroom Instruction That Works in
terms of providing recognition, some research has shown praise and recognition
can have negative effects on intrinsic motivation (Hubbell, Kuhn, Pitler,
2012). While other research shows praise and recognition can have a
direct and positive impact on effort, persistence, and motivation. (Hubbell,
Kuhn, Pitler, 2012) I teach second grade, and I agree with Dr. Orey,
reinforcement is more powerful than punishment. Praise and recognition
can go a long way in second grade. For example, I had a second grader
last year who lived one week with mom and the next week with dad. This
situation had a very negative affect on her academically in first grade.
She started second grade on a first grade reading level. I believe
consistent recognition and praise provided a spark that carried her through second
grade and she ended second grade on a third grade reading level.
The book Using Technology With Classroom
Instruction That Works stated that research shows there are mixed
feeling about the effectiveness and importance of homework (Hubbell, Kuhn,
Pitler, 2012). Some research says homework provides an opportunity to
practice, review, and apply what they have learned in class (Hubbell, Kuhn,
Pitler, 2012). Other research says they have found no positive
relationship between homework and achievement (Hubbell, Kuhn, Pitler,
2012). In my second grade class, I assign homework nightly. They
have one page of reading, one page of math, and one spelling word
activity. For my students it is usually the difference between an A or an
F on their spelling test. Students who complete their nightly spelling homework
are usually the students who perform well on their spelling test.
Students who chose not to do their spelling homework correlate with the
students who fail their weekly
exam.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program four: Behaviorist
learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction
and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Pitler,
H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with
classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria,
VA: ASCD.
