After re-read and reflecting on my “Personal Theory of Learning” I must say that I feel that I did a pretty good job. My theory revolved around the idea that students learn best when they are placed in an environment that is stimulating and immerses them in the curriculum. I also stated that I felt my style of instruction was must closely linked with social constructivism, which I still feel to be true. I believe that my students have the best chance to learn when they are socially constructing artifacts that show their learning. Overall, I believe that my Personal Learning theory was and is very close to what I believe, but there are areas that I would change.
An immediate adjustment that I would make to my Personal Learning Theory would be to incorporate more technology and different learning styles. Throughout this class I have been introduced to many new forms of instructional strategies and technologies that I believe would truly help my students learn. I would like to start by using more types of technology in different ways. During this class I set up an online blog for both of my classes and I now use these sites for many forms of instruction and learning. I would also say that I would like to include the social learning theory in my class on a more regular basis. I believe that my students would benefit form differentiated instruction out side of constructivism. I also would like to start using more organizing and brainstorming forms of technology like Microsoft Visio to promote student learning in my classroom. My instructional skills have vastly improved because I know have a greater understanding of multiple style of instruction and different forms of technology that work with them. I know try to constantly change my instructional strategies to best serve my students and their diverse needs.
I would like to make two long term changes within my classroom involving technology and my instructional practice. First, I would like to incorporate more technology within my classroom that promotes social networking. Starting next year I would like to have each of my students start their own blog. This would be easy to implement using Google blogs and it would help the students to communicate socially using technology. I could assign discussion topics and have my students post and comment on each others blogs in a similar style to what they will see in college and the work place. Secondly, I would like to work towards having my students use more web based projects. I could accomplish this by removing some of my lectures and replacing them with web-quests and other online tutorials. This would give my students the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning and accomplish their goals. I would like to remove myself, as often as possible, from the role of instructor and place that responsibility on the students.
After reviewing and reflecting on my Personal Theory of Learning I feel confident in moving forward in the future. This class has given me the tools necessary for success when working with technology and my students.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Cooperative learning and Social Learning Theory
Well, it has been an interesting week to say the least! Massive winter storms ripped through my small community in central Ohio and did some real damage. Most of the homes in the community were without power for 3-6 days and school was canceled three days in a row. It was a nice break, but not having power made it very dull and very cold. You will be happy to know that my power was finally restored this morning and the first thing that I want to do is send some time blogging! This week I am asked to correlate how cooperative learning relates to the constructs of social learning theory. After reading the chapter ‘Cooperative Learning’ in the text Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works I found many similarities to the social learning theory.
What is the focus of cooperative learning? The text states that “…cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). As a teacher I find this to be the core of cooperative learning; that students will work together towards some common goal. Students in my class are often involved in cooperative learning situations. From small groups to groups organized on ability level I constantly try to utilize all that cooperative learning has to offer. “When students work in cooperative groups, they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). I try to use cooperative learning in a way that will present my students with tasks that they will need to approach from multiple angles to solve. In this ways the students need the help of their peers to see the problem from a fresh perspective.
I also enjoyed the chapter’s approach to incorporating technology into cooperative learning. The text states, “Technology can play a unique and vital role in cooperative learning by facilitating group collaboration, providing structure for group tasks, and by allowing members of a group to communicate even if they are not working face to face” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Incorporating technolgooy is crucial for future success for our students as is cooperative learning. I found the section of the text focused on webquests o be especially useful. I often incorporate webquests in my classroom, but never in a collaborative setting, so I am excited to use this instructional technique.
I believe that the strongest link between social learning theory and cooperative learning is that both find their basis in the idea that students need to work together to learn. I would say that cooperative learning is the perfect tool to apply the social learning theory. Social learning theory pushes the idea that true learning takes place only when the student has the opportunity to learn and interact in a social setting. Cooperative learning gives the students the opportunity to work in an environment that is conducive to what the social learning theory stresses as crucial.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA:ASCD
What is the focus of cooperative learning? The text states that “…cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). As a teacher I find this to be the core of cooperative learning; that students will work together towards some common goal. Students in my class are often involved in cooperative learning situations. From small groups to groups organized on ability level I constantly try to utilize all that cooperative learning has to offer. “When students work in cooperative groups, they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). I try to use cooperative learning in a way that will present my students with tasks that they will need to approach from multiple angles to solve. In this ways the students need the help of their peers to see the problem from a fresh perspective.
I also enjoyed the chapter’s approach to incorporating technology into cooperative learning. The text states, “Technology can play a unique and vital role in cooperative learning by facilitating group collaboration, providing structure for group tasks, and by allowing members of a group to communicate even if they are not working face to face” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Incorporating technolgooy is crucial for future success for our students as is cooperative learning. I found the section of the text focused on webquests o be especially useful. I often incorporate webquests in my classroom, but never in a collaborative setting, so I am excited to use this instructional technique.
I believe that the strongest link between social learning theory and cooperative learning is that both find their basis in the idea that students need to work together to learn. I would say that cooperative learning is the perfect tool to apply the social learning theory. Social learning theory pushes the idea that true learning takes place only when the student has the opportunity to learn and interact in a social setting. Cooperative learning gives the students the opportunity to work in an environment that is conducive to what the social learning theory stresses as crucial.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA:ASCD
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