I have expanded my learning as it relates to learning theories and have realized that my personal theory is not far off from those discussed in this course. The aim is to know your students and select theories that are student centered, rather than teacher centered. It was my personal theory to incorporate theories depending on the students’ culture, linguistic and socioeconomic background. I also believe that students are visual, verbal, reading/writing or kinesthetic learners, hence their learning styles. With this in mind, instructional strategies have to be implemented to cater to the needs of all learners. The fact that I still hold this view does not change the fact that there are many learning theories that need to be incorporated in our classrooms. Our classrooms are changing every day and technology has affected our classrooms positively. Therefore, educators need to use a variety of learning theories that are applicable to the lesson, students, and students’ learning styles. In addition, I am more confident in my use of technology tools, and it has become clearer to me that technology in the classroom is the way forward. Technology has enhanced my classroom in many ways, and both students and I are realizing its importance in the classroom.
My instructional practice will change to accommodate more technology integration based on the depth of knowledge gained in this course. Students are digital natives, and it is incumbent on teachers to combine several technology tools that will not only have students engaged in meaningful learning, while having fun. There are a number of technology tools that I will use in my classroom that will support and enhance students’ learning. My repertoire of instructional skills has expanded to include many technology tools, such as classroom blogs, wikis, podcasts, concept mapping and voice thread.
The use of technology tools in my classroom has taken a new shift as I seldom use technology as an instructional technology tool, but rather as a learning technology tool. I have chosen three technology tools that I have implemented in my classroom that I believe will support or enhance students’ learning. I think that students need to be engaged at all times and the use of wiki, classroom blog and voice thread are excellent ways of incorporating technology, and creating student centered classrooms. It should be at the forefront of our minds that we should be facilitators in the classroom, and encourage students to be responsible for their learning. The use of classroom blogs, wikis, and voice thread will allow students to collaborate and interact in and outside the classroom. Students will have an opportunity to be expressive in many ways, and will give them a chance to communicate in ways they would not normally do in a teacher led discussion. These tools encourage greater involvement of student participation and group interaction, which encourages a student centered approach to learning.
Two long term goal changes that I would like to make to my instructional practice regarding technology integration is incorporating a two year classroom blog, and a voice thread for my grades 10 and 11 students . These two grades carry a two-year curriculum and I thought it would only be fitting to engage students in a classroom blog, so that even when school is out, teacher and students can collaborate and communicate. I can also post questions that will generate discussions where students will learn and be excited. Blogs will also allow me to post homework activities that students will be able to view and comment. Parents will also be able to visit the blog and give their input. The intention of the blog is to have everyone involved, and build a small community within the class.
The use of voice thread, I believe, is also to build a community that would not only incorporate students, but parents and experts in the field. The voice thread will be used so that students can share their thoughts on different topics, and will give me an opportunity to understand how some students communicate and relate. Some students will not want to talk out in class, so this is a good chance for them to integrate in a more comfortable way. Voice thread can be an interesting tool that teachers can implement when teaching a topic that is not as easy as others are. Students can do their research and give feedback on the voice thread. I see where I can build different voice threads using different topics. At the end of each lesson, students in groups, can start their own voice thread and discuss the lesson topic, while the teacher can create the topic and allow students to add to it. Students will also be required to do their personal research so that they are able to respond to the voice thread. This will be a continuous exercise for the students. These two technology tools can be used in and outside the classroom, depending on how the teacher directs the integration. Cooperative learning has always been part of my lessons, and I believe with the use of technology, students who were hesitant in engaging in group discussion, will find it more interesting, and even entertaining.
As much as I teach Information Technology to high school students, I was of the impression that I was doing a great job because, for the most part, students were always on the computer. This course has opened up my eyes to a wide range of technology tools that will be beneficial to both teacher and students. The knowledge gained, in regards to learning theories and technology tools, has not only made me a more efficient and competent teacher, but it has brought a completely new meaning to my classroom.
