Reflection

Throughout this course I have had the opportunity to learn and use new technologies that increase student engagement. In the beginning of this course, my teaching philosophy followed three steps. Step one, introduce the material or concepts. Step two, practice using the new concept, and the final step is to apply the concepts to real world. My philosophy is still the same, but I have gained new knowledge about how to introduce and teach new concepts using technology such as voicethreads and virtual field trips. Understanding various learning theories has also added to the instructional piece of my philosophy. The final step of application has now been enhanced by the power of creating artifacts (Laureate Education Inc., 2008).

One immediate change I will be making to my teaching style is to use technology to enhance student learning rather than my teaching. For example, using the SmartBoard in my classroom during center time to have students explore various web sites and manipulate shapes during my geometry unit. I have spent time this year teaching students how to use various software, now it is time for students to start using that software to explore for their own learning purposes. Students using the SmartBoard during center time will allow them to collaborate with peers on solving problems and gaining new knowledge about people, places, and things. Using software such as excel will allow students to monitor their progress towards goals they have set for themselves focusing on their academics(Pilter, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007).

Two long-term goal changes I would like to make for myself are using virtual field trips during units in all academic areas and having students monitor their level of effort by creating graphs. In terms of an outline for virtual field trips, for the remainder of this year I would like to have my students participate in at least two virtual field trips in the area of social studies. By the end of next school year, my goal is to have the students participate in a virtual field trip in the subjects of social studies, science, math, and reading. In reference to effort, this year I have started laying the groundwork by having discussions about effort and making effort a part of everyday conversations. By next year I would like to have the students creating rubrics that focus on effort and then begin graphing their effort and placing those graphs in the Data Quality Notebooks(Pilter, Hubbell, Kuhn& Malenoski, 2007).

References:

Laureate Education Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author

Pilter, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technolgy with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD