Module 5 Blog: New Technologies

This school year, my students participated in the Monster Exchange Project online at www.monsterexchange.org. The project basically deals with descriptive writing. Two classes partner with one another and each class draws a monster. They then write about the monster so that the other class can draw the monster from their descriptions only. After the monsters have been redrawn, each class uploads the drawing and the students are able to see how well they drew the monster based on the descriptions. My kids loved it and I told my coworkers about the project, trying to encourage them to do it, also. Needless to say, they were lukewarm at best; they wondered why I was doing the project in the first place. They stated that with our busy schedules they just did not have time. Later in the year, when I posted our drawings in the hallway and wrote a summary of what we did with the project, I was looked upon as an overachiever.

Based on Keller’s ARCS model, there are things that I could have done that might have made them more interested. First, I should have discussed the importance of this technology and the benefits our students would gain. I could have then determined the teachers’ personal goals with their students and related that with the project. Showing the teachers the project online would have also been beneficial. They would have realized that the project is simple and doesn’t consume a lot of time. Lastly, I could have helped them with setting up the project. Perhaps if I would have been a little more persistent, I would have been a little more successful.

Holly

Reference:

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

**I posted responses to the following:
Carol Lee at http://carollee387.blogspot.com/
Wandra Coffield at http://wpc-eductech.blogspot.com/

Module 4 Blog - Connectivism

The network has definitely changed the way I learn. Instead of having to research in a library, I now am able to access information from virtually anywhere! For example, my hometown, as well as the town in which I currently live, has had terrible weather the past week. The town in which I live has been declared a disaster zone due to the heavy amounts of flooding. Tornadoes ripped through the area early this morning. Instead of turning on a radio or the television, I was able to keep up with the latest weather happenings on my telephone and online. Learning is now instantaneous. If I have a question about almost anything, I am able to turn on the computer and find out all I need to know.

The tools that facilitate learning best for me are those in which I am able to communicate with others about relevant topics, such as blogs, wikis, etc. I feel that discussing information and getting views of others is extremely beneficial in the learning process.

Holly

**I responded to the following blogs:

http://sharon-mcdaniel.blogspot.com/
http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/

Module 3 - Collaboration

Collaboration

Humans have a basic instinct to interact and work together as a group. It is simply human nature to not only communicate with others, but to feel as if one belongs to a group. People have been working together for a very long time and have worked in groups in order to complete specific task (Rheinhold, 2008). Evidence of this can be seen in every aspect of life: families, raising children, education, work, etc. I am reminded of the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Each and every aspect of my personal life involves interaction and working as a group. While at school, I depend on my coworkers for support and guidance. I depend on communication from my students to determine whether something needs to be retaught to the entire class, to just a few individuals, or to none at all. My coworkers and I work together as a group to ensure that all students are given the same exposure to conent. Within my classroom, although I am the teacher, we work as a group to build our knowledge base and to reach one common goal: understanding. When my workday is over, I return home to my family. I depend on my husband to help with our children and we assist one another constantly.

Technology can certainly facilitate learning based on constructivist principles. To put it simply, technology is such a part of our students’ real lives. They have access to all kinds of collaborating tools online, such as wikis, blogs, social networking sites, skype, etc. The technological options are endless for our students. Participating in a blog that enhances their education is ideal because not only is the learner engaged, they are enjoying being able to integrate technology into the everyday classroom.

Holly

Reference:

Rheinhold, H. (Artist). (2008). Howard rheingold: way-new collaboration. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

**I posted responses to the following:
http://janedewitt.blogspot.com
http://sharon-mcdaniel.blogspot.com

Module 2 - Cognitivism as a Learning Theory

After reading the blogs of Bill Kerr (2007) and Karl Kapp (2010), I am convinced now more than ever that the culmination of learning theories is the most beneficial for the educator, as well as the student. As Kerr (2007) stated, "We need to take pieces from each school of thought and apply it effectively because…Cognitivism doesn’t explain 100% how humans process information and neither does Constructivism or Behaviorism. What we need to is take the best from each philosophy and use it wisely to create solid educational experiences for our learners." I totally agree with these statements. When both behaviorism and cognitivism theories are taken into context, the teacher can use both effectively in the classroom to control behavior and use the best strategies to teach the students.

References:

Kerr, B. (2007). _isms as filter, not blinker. Retrieved April 5, 2010, from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Kapp, K. (2007). Out and about: discussion on educational schools of thought. Retrieved April 5, 2010, from http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html

Responded to:

Carol Lee - http://carollee387.blogspot.com/
Angela Finley - http://finleylearningtheory.blogspot.com/

Learning Theory and Educational Technology

What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?

I certainly believe that people learn best when the content is meaningful to their lives, is enjoyable, and they are engaged in the learning process. It is apparent that no two children learn the same way. Therefore, we as educators must determine the best practices for all of our students, planning for the array of learning styles we see in our classrooms. It is not enough to gauge our teaching by one learning style or even one learning theory. We must embrace the variety of our students and adapt our teaching to suit their needs. So much research exists that could benefit educators and how we teach. Society places a lot of pressure on the education system, and rightly so. The students in our country are not prepared to compete with others globally. Siemens (2008) believes that before education can meet the needs of society, it must first rethink and reconsider its view of learning and knowledge, and its approach to teaching.

Learning theories are important in any educational setting, whether it be the conventional classroom or the online classroom. Embracing the different learning theories will help an educator determine how to teach his/her students and what to teach them with. A variety of technolgy should be used in the online classroom, once again in, support of reaching all of the students.

Reference:

Siemens, G. (2008, January 27). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf

Responded to:
Jane Dewitt - http://janedewitt.blogspot.com/
Carol Lee - http://carollee387.blogspot.com/