Reflection- Final Post Education 6711

Throughout this course I have learned many valuable things. Upon learning these new ideas and solutions for the classroom, I am going to reflect on my own personal theory.  In the beginning of the course, I developed my own personal learning theory, that theory was focused on students being active engaged learners in the classroom and them building on prior knowledge.  I still believe that students must be active learners and build upon experiences, however, now I have a more defined way of getting children to be active and build upon knowledge. This course has taught me many valuable lessons and ways to allow children to learn.  One idea that I will now incorporate into my classroom is using more technology as a learning tool. Prior to this course, I was using technology more as an instructional tool than anything else. Now, I am aware of the importance of having children use the technology and self engaging themselves with the new tools. One of the tools that I am going to actively incorporate into the classroom, is voice thread. Voice thread is a tool that allows for people to verbally share an idea and recieve verbal feedback, a powerful experience that can be incorporated into the classroom through many different lessons.
I have also learned new techniques of keeping my students engaged in the lesson. One technique that was shared in the class was having students actively summarize what they are learning in short chunks (after each paragraph of an article or every few slides).  I have tried this in my classroom already, and it works great. Another idea shared was having students apply what they are learning after a very short time, for example, if teaching with a power point, after a few slides have the student create their own model (either visual or written, again very powerful).  Allowing students to create is crucial, and that is something I will add to my own personal learning theory.
As for using technology with my students, there are so many tools that I will incorporate to enhance learning. One tool is voice thread. Voice thread will be used for my students to verbally read their stories they had written, they will read and post, and then each child will verbally give feedback to one another. I think this will be a less intimidating way of sharing feedback with each other, and students love to use such tools in their learning expereinces. Next, I will have each of my student create their own blog. Students will create a blog to post their thoughts and their own stories. After posting stories and opinions, students will follow each others blogs. We have already started to do this in the last couple weeks and it has been a very positive experience thus far. Lastly, I will incorporate digital story boards into my lessons, I will have students create their own story boards about historical events.  I am not sure as to what story board site I will use, I have used movie maker and that seems to work well. This will enhance learning, because each child will be creating their visual to represent what they have been learning about.
My two long term goals are 1.)incorporate more virtual field experience in my social studies classes and 2.) incorporate more concept mapping and planning for students in lessons.
The first goal is to incorpoate virtual field trip expereinces. I have learned that when teaching social studies students will need to be able to see other countries and experience life outside of Gobles. However, because funds are limited, I need to do this virtually. I have learned through this course how to incorporate virtual field trip in the classroom, and would like to make this one of my top goals for this school year. I want my students to feel as though they understand other countries and points of view, I want them to be global citizens.
My second goal is focused around concept mapping. I have learned that incorporating concept maps are very important for visual learners. Students are able to connect their thought through using concepts maps, they are great tools for both planning a paper and even taking notes in the class.  I woud like to have each child create their own maps and be able to connect ideas and concepts together. To achieve this goal I am goin to try and check out the computer lab at school and have each child on a computer at least once a week in social studies, having them create an online concept map through bubble.us, a great tool.

Overall, what I have learned in this course has been valuable. I believe that the tools and ideas are going to help me become a more effective and relavent teacher. I want my students to have a meaningful learning experience in my classroom and because of this course, they will.

Voice Thread

Here is my voice thread on a problem I face in my classroom- requiring project based research in social studies. Enjoy!
voicethread.com/share/893160/

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

Cooperative learning is a powerful tool in any classroom. In order for students to make meaningful connections to any subject area, social learning techniques must be used. It is crucial that students learn how to work with one another and learn strategies for team work and cooperation.  When our students become adults, they will need to be able to work with others and use strategies that they learn in school. In my classroom, I am constantly encouraging students to work together and respect each other's opinions, while recgonizing differences and appreciating opinion.  I find that students are quick to be critical, and I am working on helping them avoid. Many students dread working in group projects and cooperating, because they are scared to share their opinion.  Building self-confidence and teaching skills is crucial.

Technology plays a huge role in cooperative learning. Technology can allow for students to work in groups and still remain focused. I find that when I incorporate technology, like power points and web quests all students in the group are actively engaged and problems do not arise as often.  I feel as though when students are actively searching and involved with technology they are not only excited about learning, but are structured in their work in getting it complete.

I enjoy incorporating many of the cooperative learning strategies. I find that my students share ideas with each other and have valuable discussions when they are working together. I enjoy using webquest, power points, blogging, and other valuable tools with my students. However, as many of the teachers in my school are experience problems, so am I.  It is difficult to incorporate many of these valuable tools due to lack of resources and computer lab time. I was recently trying to have my students create their own digital stories, but lack of lab time and no available lap tops to use we have had to put the project on slow mode. I know my students are capable and there are endless possibilities, but we need to resources to allow for these possibilities to happen with our students.