Personal Learning Theory

My personal theory of learning can be defined simply as the need for having a “student driven” classroom. A student driven classroom focuses on student’s inputs, interests and ideas. Whenever possible, I try and step back and let students lead class. One important nugget I have taken from this class is to find ways to bring students to some of these new instructional technologies.

One adjustment I will make next year is to use less Power Point assignments and more Voice Thread projects. The Voice Thread capabilities are more beneficial to the audience and of course allow feedback and discussion to make it all powerful. My students will enjoy using a fresh technology and many get bored with Power Point because they have used it so long. Voice thread is a great way for pictures and videos to speak volumes without the typical Power Point structure.

Another technology I plan on using next year is the virtual field trip. If done correctly, a virtual field trip can provide many of the identical cognitive gains that an actual real-life field trip can provide. Field trips taken online can take a student to locations too far away to travel to or too expensive to visit. The Internet is fast becoming a valid curricular device.

For the long term, I plan to continue being a student learning about new technologies to bring into the classroom. This course has given me some great ideas that will benefit my students in many ways. Through networking with other educators all over the world, it will be possible to keep up with cutting edge instructional practices. Also, I would like to collaborate with more teachers at my school in cross curricular endeavors. Teachers without regular access to computer labs are often looking for ways to enhance their instruction. Connectivity makes anything possible bringing technology to our eager students wanting to learn in new and exciting ways.

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is a long standing strategy for teachers and focuses on group interaction to enhance learning. Being able to function productively in groups is a 21st century skill that is needed by all students today. Technology plays a major role in facilitating group collaboration. Just think how challenging it would be having a group activity without connectivity. Web enabled collaborative learning enables students to communicate all over the globe and provides structure for group tasks. We all know how useful blogs and wikis are in giving students a platform to communicate and work together. Connectivism is all about forming networks and navigating networks of knowledge which technology enables.

I really enjoyed the Voice Thread activity we created this week. It reminded me of a Power Point presentation but I thought the capabilities were more beneficial to the audience and of course allowing feedback and discussion makes it all powerful. Too many times I have students with wordy text on Power Points that takes away from the message. I constantly preach to my students less is more with text and verbally talk about your message with the use of graphics. Voice thread is a great way for pictures and videos to speak volumes without the typical Power Point structure. Next year, you can bet my students will be using Voice Thread and I’m looking forward to the feedback and discussion that will be generated that otherwise would not happen. Cooperative learning is here to stay and technology will continue to open new doors for collaboration.

The Voice Thread

Just click on the title to view the Voice Thread created.