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.