1. As I look over my "Personal Theory of Learning", I need to continue my efforts to get technology in the hands of the students.
2. I will continue to work on getting the technology coordinator to allow my students to use VoiceThreads. It is a powerful learning tool and has many applications. VoiceThreads can enhance the use of technology and reduce student anxiety in using unkown technology because it is such a simple and straight forward application.
After working with the students I find that few are aware of or have used the making of charts on a computer. It is a simple tool with many applications that will be included as part of assignments so that students learn to use the chart making tool and practice it's use.
3. More technology needs to be added to my lessons each week. Student responded well to a short humorous video clip on dating that was used to open a classroom discussion on dating. There are a number of things I can do as a teacher that are not terribly time consuming that use technology and would enhance how learning materials are presented.
I need to immediately and accurately identify students who are chanllenged by technology and make sure they have or learn the skills necessary to accomplish classroom tasks and personal goals.
Oct 24, 2009
Oct 7, 2009
Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice
I feel that social learning is very important. If you look at today’s business and industry, much of it is based on social learning, collaboration, and networking. By using each person’s unique abilities, knowledge and/or skills the group can accomplish amazing things and produce rapid change. Our students must experience everything that will be demanded of them in the working world.
Orey pointed out that with all group work there needs to be a group grade and an individual grade. It couldn’t agree more. How many times have we as teachers seen one or two members carry the entire group to achieve the desired results (Laureate, 2009)?
Social learning does not have to just be about working in a group. The group can be set up in such a manner that each person has a job or responsibility. It can also be collaborative so that members put together information and present it in some form of technology. A PowerPoint, a VoiceThread, a Skype or a blog could all be implemented as a form of demonstrating knowledge gained and background information accumulated (Pitler et al, 2007).
It was suggested that a cooperative learning project be implemented at the beginning of a term or school year. He also suggested that it not be your only type of learning practice in the classroom (Orey, 2001). Although it is a wonderful tool, it could be overused and students can lose focus and interest. On Monday I attended a Teachers Institute and that speaker also said that teachers need to be careful will social learning. If used to often it loses it's effectiveness and students do not learn as much as when it was first used.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Social learning theories. [Motion Picture]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology and classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Orey pointed out that with all group work there needs to be a group grade and an individual grade. It couldn’t agree more. How many times have we as teachers seen one or two members carry the entire group to achieve the desired results (Laureate, 2009)?
Social learning does not have to just be about working in a group. The group can be set up in such a manner that each person has a job or responsibility. It can also be collaborative so that members put together information and present it in some form of technology. A PowerPoint, a VoiceThread, a Skype or a blog could all be implemented as a form of demonstrating knowledge gained and background information accumulated (Pitler et al, 2007).
It was suggested that a cooperative learning project be implemented at the beginning of a term or school year. He also suggested that it not be your only type of learning practice in the classroom (Orey, 2001). Although it is a wonderful tool, it could be overused and students can lose focus and interest. On Monday I attended a Teachers Institute and that speaker also said that teachers need to be careful will social learning. If used to often it loses it's effectiveness and students do not learn as much as when it was first used.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Social learning theories. [Motion Picture]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology and classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
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