Behavioral Learning and Instructional Strategies

Instructional strategies in the classroom should mandate and reflect the learning styles of students.  Furthermore, behaviorism offers a defined perspective on how learning occurs and how teaching impacts that process.  Orey (Laureate Education, 2010) states that reinforcement of the correct behaviors is more powerful than punishment.  What does this mean for a 21^st Century Classroom teacher?  An interesting read, excerpt - Reinforcing Effort from the book Using Technology in the Classroom, discussed the importance of having students to recognize effort and through this strategy, students’ attitudes and beliefs about learning can be changed.  For example, a struggling Math student may tell the teacher “I do not like Math because I am not good at it.”  Moreover, a student’s background or home life can play a factor in less effort.  However, with high stakes testing, students need to achieve topics and units of study.  . According to the authors of the book,  research indicates that students can change their beliefs and make a connection between effort and achievement (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K., 2007)  .  One way to enforce effort is through an effort rubric, kind of a like a self-assessment and reflection about effort put into the topic.  Spreadsheets can also be created as a visual tool to help the student recognize shortcomings or advancements and mindset changes.  Another idea would be to survey the students before the unit to see how they view the topic of study.  After the unit, give them the same survey to let them see the difference in their thinking. As an educator in my master’s class, I am required to reflect before the class, during the middle of the class, and at the end.  This strategy has definitely worked for me! 

When a teacher hears the words “homework and practice”, reinforcement of skills is most likely what comes to mind.  When a parent hears “homework and practice”, sometimes, it is an unsettling feeling.  Busy work or frustration often results.  Parents and students should know that homework should not be extra work, but an extension of the classroom.  One great advantage that students have today is technology.  There are many sites available to help students with practice in all subjects.  On my teacher web, I have several sites listed for student help.  I also have enrichment type projects.  Some of my parents want their children doing more at home with academic help and they do not have the resources or ideas to implement and foster this yearning to learn more.  Through my teacher webpage, students have opportunities to advance knowledge through webquests, projects, technology journey’s and explorations.  

Reference:

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

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Behaviorist Learning Theory. [ Webcast]. Bridging

Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore MD: Author.

EDUC-6710I-3 Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society Analysis

Through taking the course, Understanding the Impact of Technology on Education, Work, and Society with Walden University, I have learned many new and innovative technology skills.  Technology is becoming a visible part of childrens lives.  From classroom settings to home use, computers are now a part of how children learn, play, and communicate with each other.

Living in the digital age, Computers can be used as devices for communicating with people literally a world apart. For example, Skype and Podcasts allow users to transform a telephone conversation into real-life conversation.  Wikkis allow teachers and colleagues to communicate and work on the same projects while living miles apart.  Other tools, such as blogging sites allow users to communicate in a diary type form.  Blog's can be used to help understand a topic and allow visitors to offer solutions and suggestions.  These technology advances can be used as tools to create instructional materials or as presentation devices to provide information in ways never before possible in our classrooms. 

Furthermore, through technology, classrooms are able to reach students of all learning styles, as well as be more efficient. Technology induces students with interest and motivation.  Students are much more receptive to using technology than a simple pencil and paper activity, thus this makes its usage in schools important.  All teachers understand how important a students’ individual learning style may be.  Educators better prepare students for the future when using technology aimed at addressing each learning style. This recognition has helped me to become for learner centered as opposed to being teacher centered.  As a motivational tool, technology positively impacts student attitudes toward learning, self-confidence, and self-esteem because students are interested. Educators must continue to learn various technologies to keep up with the digital babies that we teach.

Two Long Term Goals that I plan on investing to transform my classroom environment:

1-     Use Wikkis, weekly blog, and podcasts in my classroom.  Although I have learned how to create these technologies, I now must plan on using them effectively in my classroom to teach students how to do these.  I already have the resources to use; I will need to find the time to implement them.

2-     I want to become a Technology Teacher for students and work with grade levels to help the teachers with projects aligned to the standards. This goal will be much harder.  Technology positions are very hard to find in my area.  In the meantime, I will continue to work with my team teachers, offering suggestions and comments from what I have learned about how to use technology in our schools.

   

At the beginning of this course, I responded through a checklist that I was not very technology savvy.  I am proud to say that I feel more comfortable using technology in my classroom.  I have always used power points and word documents with students, but these are minor compared to the skills I have learned in this course.  I feel confident that I will be able to better Provide students with multiple and varied opportunities for using technology tools and resources to support the learning.

Technology Survey for Students

The following podcast reports the demographic profile of my classroom population and the students interaction with technology. Included in the podcast are sound bites from three student interviews that support my findings.


Podcast: Student Technology Survey

Although I enjoyed the end result of this assignment, I had to complete a lot of research to figure out how to do this.  I enjoyed learning about Podcasts; I just did not realize that it was more than a click here or here. There were several steps involved and thank goodness for Google!  I did not have anyone to help me with this and I had to use trial and error to figure it all out.  Podmachine was a waste of time.  I could not get everything to work.  Podbean was very user friendly.  I understand that Mac computers are much easier to use due to Garage Band. I have a PC, so I was forced to improvise.  I used Audacity and then I had to download a MP3 Converter.  Once this was complete, I then compiled my files and uploaded to Podmachine.  This site was very confusing, so I then tried Podbean. 

Rethinking How Students Learn: Evaluation of the Partnership of 21st Century Learning

As I reviewed the site fpr The Partnership for 21st Century, it became clear of the authors intent.  Rethinking how students learn.  The site is filled with technology lessons and comes complete with its own set of frameworks.  The visual pyramid reminds me of our tiering process already in place.  One skill that I just cannot seem to completely master on the Georgia CRCT is Information and Media Literacy.  This site has this covered, with lots of resources to combat research and information.  Although some of the links were no longer available, most were.  I also like the worksheets already pre-made to accompany each lesson. 

The website flowed fairly easy, although content was not easily displayed.  I had to click on every single word to find things.  I reviewed the subject matter and I was surprised to see the main subjects.  I was expecting the site to contain all technology based items.  One thing that was cumbersome for me was the category "Global Awareness".  It specifically listed Asia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.  These were clearly represented, and I am curious why these each get their own categories in a "Global World".

As a contemporary educator, I realize that I need to be more mindset focused on technology lessons and creative ways to give my students the opportunity to use and understand technology. 

Smartboards

Ok, a little blue bird told me that there is a "good chance" that I may be receiving a smart board soon.  I know some of you already have one.  I need resources... so, what sites do you recommend for me to get lessons or ideas using the smart board?  Thanks for your help!!!

Blogging for 4th Graders

 What is blogging?

To us, blogging is...

Personal reflections
Mini-memoirs
Essays
But mostly...blogs are stories, feelings, and opinions.

            Bloggers write about stories dealing with wisdom, lessons, joys and sorrows of everyday life. Mostly Real-life stories and experiences of life. Whether it be two sentences or two paragraphs, it is writing.  As we all know, everyone has a story to tell or an opinion about something.  When we share our stories with others, we realize how connected we really are and we sometimes find compassion about the topic of interest.  We can learn from each other, challenge each other, question each other and receive feedback about our life stories. 

             Students struggle with finding voice in their writing.  Blogging allows students the opportunity to research topics without feeling the stress of traditional writing practices.  I created a web page and I have a section for blogging.  What I have discovered is that kids really like it.  1/4 of my class have independently blogged while they were at home.  I did not direct them to do so, I simply told them about the blog and showed them where to post. I also surveyed my students to see how many students had a computer at home with internet.  Over half of my class did not.  This also told me that I would need to include blogging into my daily or weekly lesson plans for these students to benefit.  Bottom line, kids are definitely interested in blogging.  I see this as an opportunity to engage my students interest in learning.  What ideas can you offer or suggest to help?

You can visit my webpage to view the blogging at:

www.oliverwcis.weebly.com

Finding Technology with a Tight Budget

I simply cannot give my students enough time to use technology.  I have four computers in my classroom and students will do just about anything to get time on them.  Whether it be researching projects or simply making a powerpoint for a particular interest, let's face it, technology is one sure way to get students interested in learning. The problem is that my computers are very old.  Sometimes they work and sometimes, they do not.  Moreover, computers are only one simple piece of technology in the classroom.  Smart boards, I Pads, Inter Write Pads, etc. are just a few examples of technology that teachers can use to obtain students interest.  I hope this site will serve as a starting place to help me to find innovative ways to obtain resources in our growing technology world.