As I reflect on my learning experiences after completing this course, I am so elated that I now understand the importance of how utilizing various learning theories can help me become a more effective teacher. I will continue to stay abreast of innovative strategies, technology and the latest educational methodology because I know that it will impact the quality of education that my students obtain in my class. I have gain knowledge and skills that will allow me to implement strategies and interventions that will help increase student achievement. For example, when I present lessons I will make sure that I incorporate activities that are going to address the different learning styles of students so that I will accommodate the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learner. At the beginning of each semester, I will have students to complete a learning styles inventory this will help me plan lessons that will be more engaging and meaningful to students. I will create activities that will give students the opportunity to use technology as a method to reinforce key concepts and I will also plan more collaborative group activities so that students will have a chance to share their ideas. My role is going to transform to a teacher who facilitates instructions so that students can become more active participants in their own learning.
When I integrate technology into my instructions, I will make sure that students have the opportunity to use the latest software application and computer devices so that will be prepared to transfer those skills into the workplace. The two technology tools that I will use to help support student’s learning are incorporating blogs and voice thread software to increase students’ content knowledge. One of the main focuses at my school this year is literacy. Blogs would be an excellent learning tool to reinforce key topics and it will also allow students the ability to improve their writing and reading skills. Blogs can also give students the opportunity to share and learn from their teachers as well as their peers. The voice thread software will allow students to construct an artifact exhibiting their comprehension of new concepts and then receive feedback from their peers, teachers, parents, and all other stakeholders. This will create a network of people who are collaborating, communicating and sharing their knowledge. Using technology helps to motivate students and it also increases student’s retention of information which causes them to excel academically.
One of my long-term goals changes that I will make to my instructional practice regarding technology integration is to make sure that I use the interactive whiteboard more frequently as a learning tool and less as an instructional tool. I will create additional activities that will require students to use the interactive whiteboard to demonstrate their proficiency in mastering challenging concepts. Students will have the opportunity to use the whiteboard to create educational games, present multi- media presentations, demonstrate use of new software, and to complete projects to share with the class. This will also require that I spend additional time planning enrich technology lessons that allow students to become more immerse in the learning process. Russell and Sorge (1999) stated how technology can give students “more control over their own learning, “facilitating the analytical and critical thinking and the collaboration championed in the constructivist approach to education (pp. 1-2) (Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, Pitler, 2007) My second long term goal regarding technology integration is to make that I continue to participate in social networking sites such as blogs, facebook, and Yahoo groups so that I can continue to collaborate with educators globally so that I will become more knowledgeable of the latest educational strategies, advance technology, and new teaching practices. I will create a weekly reflection journal to record the skills and knowledge that I have gained from using these social network websites.
In summary, I have gained a wealth of instructional tools that I will use to improve my teaching practices. When I introduce new concepts, I will make sure that students fully understand the objectives and are capable of demonstrating their knowledge and skills by completing challenging yet engaging activities. It is crucial that I implement learning tools that will give students an opportunity to hone their technology skills, individualize instruction, reward and recognize students for their academic performance. My goal is to make sure that students understand that they will only grow personally and professionally by becoming a lifelong learner.
References:
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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