Reflection: Final Blog Posting

After reflecting on my "Personal Theory of Learning" that I completed during week 1 of my masters course, I still feel the same about most of the topics mentioned in my application paper. For example, I wrote about using positive praise as a strategy for classroom management, which I read about in our learning resources as a successful tool when used in moderation. In addition, I wrote about creating a safe environment where the students are challenged, but can still find success and enjoyment in their learning. I still utilize this strategy everyday with my all of my classes.

A learning strategy that I will incorporate into my lessons came from week 3, which focused on the "Cognitive Learning Theories". Our learning resources that that we utilized week opened my eyes to the functions of our brain, and the important role teachers have in student learning. Teachers need to understand how to connect the student to the content, so the students can associate the material, and therefore, be able to recall the information at a later time. One technique I am implementing more in my gymnasium is peer teaching. Our resources mention that the more ways that students are exposed to the material (touch, smell, taste, hear, and see), the more likely they are to remember the information. They need to be able to create their own experiences, which is why I also have them peer teach to recall the information learned, and help others associate the content through each other.

Two technology tools that I would like to use with my students are a virtual field trip and blogging. I believe a virtual field trip will help me teach the students the history of sports and expand their learning about sports played around the world. For example, if I lecture to them about Ancient Greek Olympics, they will only remember one or two things I say. However, if I have them take a virtual field trip to Greece and show them pictures of what the events looked like, what the athletes wore, where Greece is located on a map etc., they will be able to have a more memorable experience through the use of multiple senses. Blogging is another technology tool that will allow my students to record their learning experiences, and communicate with each other. I will have the students blog about what they learned in class, and goals for the next lesson. In addition, I will have them blog on each others pages to give one another feedback and offer different insights about the content they are learning in Physical Education class.

Two long-term goal changes I would like to make to my instructional practices are making more time outside of class to incorporate technology, and also to make more time in class to implement new technology strategies, without limiting the students' activity time. My school has two computer labs, so I plan to sign out one of the labs during the students' study hall to allow the students access to a computer for a virtual field trip or blogging. In addition, if a student has a home computer, they can complete their blogging assignment for homework. However, if a student does not have a home computer, they will have free access to the school computer, in order to complete their out-of-class assignment. Besides using the projector for aerobics DVDs, I would like to connect the laptop to the projector and have the students teach the other students through a presentation about different fitness techniques or a dance. When using the laptop, they can create a powerpoint presentation with different pictures of the movements and the critical elements for the movement. This strategy will incorporate technology, teamwork and collaboration, and get the students up and moving.

Voice Thread

Here is the link to my voice thread about classroom space.

https://voicethread.com/#u658269.b786581.i4174532

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

I thought their were numerous instructional strategies from our book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works that correlate with the social learning theory. For example, one strategy mentioned having the students work together in groups to create their own web site. Each student was responsible for a certain job to make sure that the web site was created with as much information about the topic that they could find. Once the web site was completed, the students wrote a letter to the Chamber of Commerce for the city in which they researched to get feedback from the city. I love the different layers of the social learning theory that tie together with this lesson. For example, the students have to collaborate, cooperate, and work together to research and create their web site. Next, they have to collaborate with adults from their city to get feedback about their creation. Finally, the students also receive feedback and a grade from their teacher. When a student takes ownership in their learning, they feel more responsible for making sure that they succeed, and in return, receive enjoyment for their accomplishments.