Final Reflection

My personal learning theory has been enhanced and validated by this course, although I do not think it has really changed too much. On November 8, 2009, in my first paper, I discussed my personal theory of learning and it is there that I stated, “I believe students learn through personal connections and interactions with the lesson. Dr. Wolfe’s lessons on how the brain works and how it learns complement my personal theory on how students learn” (Brittingham, 2009). The DVD segments presented by Dr. Wolfe and Dr. Orey both helped me realize that my natural instincts and my teaching experiences are correct and the information learned in this course from research has validated my personal learning theory.

In my paper I also stated, “The importance of personal interaction and connections with a subject solidifies true learning. I believe my personal theory is a blend of Orey’s description of constructivism and social learning theories. (Laureate Education, 2009). Creating something a student can see, and working in collaborative groups, is a concept that I incorporate into my classes.” The nature of what I teach, which is rich in the use of technology daily, helps me to incorporate social and constructivist learning theories. This course has helped me to feel more confident in my teaching strategies in the fact that I know that I am utilizing strategies that will be beneficial to my student’s academic development based on what I now know about how the brain learns.

Another point that I noted in my original personal theory of learning was, “My personal theory of how students learn has also been influenced by the fact that I am a parent. “I found that they (my children) also learned best when they were involved in the lesson and were encouraged to involve others. They learned songs that went with their reading books and they taught them to us all at dinner. My own children learned by sharing what they had been exposed to in the classroom and by being involved in the lesson in a sensory way. These experiences have shaped the way that I deliver my instruction in my classroom.” (Brittingham, 2009). This point is important for me as an individual and as a teacher. I feel I am a better teacher because of my experiences as a parent. I understand first hand the home and school connection. If I had taught when I was younger and did not have children, I would not have had the personal experience to design lessons that make students want to share the information with their families. Before taking this class, I knew that having children share what they learned was important, but I did not realize how it could aid in retention until Dr. Wolfe spoke about it on the DVD (Laureate, 2009).

Although my personal learning theory has not changed, I feel surer about it, and it is stronger. I will use what I have learned to incorporate many new technology based tools into my instructional arsenal. I would like to use the virtual field trip as an instructional tool. I feel I could use it as a way to generate ideas for our video stories. Students could go to “virtual places” (to which we could never actually go), and make a video about their experience and what they learned. I also would like to incorporate the use of the Voicethread site for teaching storyboarding. In using this software, students could give feedback on other students’ storyboard images and the creator would know if he/she was effective in telling a story in pictures. Both of these tools would support student learning as they would incorporate internet searching in a multi-step task and students would create artifacts, which would promote discussion between their peers. These are important aspects of social and constructivist learning.

One long-term goal that I have regarding the integration of technology is that I would like to place students in the role of teacher as often as possible. This could be done by having a student model a technology skill that she has mastered. In addition, I would like to work with my administrators and county technology supervisor to make the latest websites and software more available to students through the school internet. So much “good stuff” is still blocked and not available for students to view and incorporate into their projects.

This class has been very informative and worthwhile. I have learned a lot about the brain and how it works. It seems that this information should be “required reading” for new teachers as part of the teacher preparatory programs at the undergraduate level. However, on the contrary, perhaps a teacher needs some “real world” experience to connect this important information to and then use it to design effective lessons. At any rate, the information is important and I am glad to have been exposed to this educational data and research.