Reflection on Learning Theory and Technology

My learning theory is students learn best when the modalities of visual, auditory and kinesthetic are built into the lessons so that all students are reached. Students should be actively engaged in activities, either individually or with a group, where the emphasis is on the process and not the product with the teacher being the guide on the side instead of the sage on the stage. This engagement allows students to construct meaningful representations within math.

My learning theory has not really modified much since the beginning of this course. However, I have already planned to adjust my instructional practice to include more technology that will support my personal theory of learning. I plan to implement voice threads, and use the features in word like the readability scale and summarizing. Students are proficient with power point so I want to use voice thread as a way to present their mathematical findings and to introduce new technology. It allows the students to bring in graphics creating non-linguistic representations plus receive feedback from many different sources including their parents. (Laureate Education, 2009).

I am excited to work with our school staff in implementing the use the readability scale tool in word. Our school has focused on increasing our writing scores and we did until the last couple of years. Our students have learned how to write paragraphs and five paragraph essays very well but if we can now focus on the level of their writing, it will help them to increase the sophistication of their writing (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). I believe that by focusing on their readability they will be able to increase the sophistication of their writing.

My two long-term goals for integrating technology into my instructional practice are 1) to create problem-solving activities that incorporate technology in each chapter of my math book and 2) to learn to use the smart board effectively so I can tie it into lessons on a daily or weekly basis to make it seamless. Goal 1 will be completed this summer, as I will pick either a lesson or a culminating activity for each chapter and start developing activities that incorporate technology beyond what I already use. I have designed one already and plan to continue through the summer. We just adopted a new curriculum so as I develop these lessons I will be able to use them every year and continue to build new ones. Goal 2 will be started this August with training and continued throughout the year as I am going to be one of the district’s trainer of trainers for the smart boards. By doing this I will learn the smart board and have to be able to apply it to the classroom for both myself and other teachers.

Laureate Education, I. P. (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Denver: Mid=continent Research for Education and Learning.