Yesterday's class was an excellent opportunity to expand my knowledge on a variety of learning theories. I have studied some of the theorists and their theories in some of my undergraduate classes, but there were also some theorists that I was unfamiliar with and it was interesting to learn about them. I feel it is beneficial as future teachers to be familiar with a variety of learning theories. The Kruse article was particularly helpful because not only did it outline the basic cognitive and behavioral theories, it also suggested that it is beneficial for lessons to be structured in a way that incorporates all of the learning theories. In prior classes we have talked about being conscious of students different learning preferences and I was unsure of ways on how to put together a lesson that would cater to a variety of learning preferences. The article illustrates perfectly on how this is possible through his explanation of the different learning theories.
I also found it helpful that we were all assigned a theorist a head of time and then we had time to share with the other groups on our findings about the theorist. I feel that this is more beneficial to my learning as I was able to have a strong focus on one of the theorists instead of having a weaker focus on three theorists. In this way, we were able to share our information to the other groups, which is a great practice in explaining things to others.
The part of the class on Bloom's Taxonomy was also extremely beneficial. I have learned about Bloom's Taxonomy in other classes, but it was not as clear to me until after this class. The text examples given on the course wiki page that showed how to actually apply Bloom's Taxonomy was the light bulb moment for me. I understood Bloom's Taxonomy and what it is trying to accomplish but it was once I read the examples for each of the levels that I finally saw how I can write these questions for my own classes.
If teachers utilize the learning theories in a way that complements each other, then students will become more well-rounded learners.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Week 3 LT1
1. Identify B.F. Skinner's theory related to learning. (Knowledge)
B.F. Skinner's theory related to learning is the Behavioral Learning Theory. This theory is based on operant conditioning and response to a stimulus. As people react to the stimulus, they will either be positively or negatively reinforced. In this way, people will know how to react to the stimulus again. For example, a rat in a cage after time has realized that if they hit the second lever they will recieve a treat. The rat is being positively reinforced for his behavior. This is one example of the Behavioral Learning Theory.
2. A psychologist is observing a child to figure out which stage of development they're in. The psychologist shows the child a stuffed animal, and then hides the stuffed animal behind a couch. The child begins to cry, believing that the stuffed animal is gone for good. What stage can we conclude the child is in, based on Piaget's stages of development? (Comprehension)
I conclude that the child is in the pre-operational stage of development as the child is unable to realize that although they do not see an object, the object still exists. At this stage, children do not have any concept of object permanence and things only exist if they can physically see them.
3. Further subdivide the Cognitive Learning Theory into its three main subgroups by creating a diagram that displays these ideas in a few words (Analysis)
Constructivist Learning Theory: focuses on changes in observable behavior, creates difficulty for understanding learner's reasoning and thinking
Developmental Learning Theory: focuses on how prior experience and age affect students' ability to handle abstraction.
Social Learning Theory: focuses on how learning is constructed via social interaction
B.F. Skinner's theory related to learning is the Behavioral Learning Theory. This theory is based on operant conditioning and response to a stimulus. As people react to the stimulus, they will either be positively or negatively reinforced. In this way, people will know how to react to the stimulus again. For example, a rat in a cage after time has realized that if they hit the second lever they will recieve a treat. The rat is being positively reinforced for his behavior. This is one example of the Behavioral Learning Theory.
2. A psychologist is observing a child to figure out which stage of development they're in. The psychologist shows the child a stuffed animal, and then hides the stuffed animal behind a couch. The child begins to cry, believing that the stuffed animal is gone for good. What stage can we conclude the child is in, based on Piaget's stages of development? (Comprehension)
I conclude that the child is in the pre-operational stage of development as the child is unable to realize that although they do not see an object, the object still exists. At this stage, children do not have any concept of object permanence and things only exist if they can physically see them.
3. Further subdivide the Cognitive Learning Theory into its three main subgroups by creating a diagram that displays these ideas in a few words (Analysis)
Constructivist Learning Theory: focuses on changes in observable behavior, creates difficulty for understanding learner's reasoning and thinking
Developmental Learning Theory: focuses on how prior experience and age affect students' ability to handle abstraction.
Social Learning Theory: focuses on how learning is constructed via social interaction
Monday, June 6, 2011
EDCI 5065 T2P Week 2
Today I further enhanced my knowledge of the concept of learning. The two articles that we had to read for class today really opened my mind to the degree that teachers impact their students. I knew the role of the teacher was to teach content and to share their knowledge with their students. However, I didn't realize how many other factors can also impact the overall learning of a student. I knew that teachers can be role models for student, but I didn't realize that this can happen in a very indirect way. It is important for teachers to realize that their actions can impact the future actions of their students as students look to their teachers to be able to judge how to act in social situations. Teachers direct this learning through their own classroom management as well as how they comport themselves in the classroom. This aspect really stuck with me today as important and especially to be aware of it in my future classroom.
I also appreciated breaking up into groups again to have discussions. This helps to solidify my learning as I enjoy bouncing ideas off of other people as everyone has a different perspective about an idea. At first my group struggled to create a new concept map, which was surprising to me because we had such an easy time last week. However, it makes sense that we struggled more this week because we have more knowledge about learning. Since we have more information, it was harder to categorize all of our thoughts. This also leads to another problem. It seems that learning is not best described through categorization, but more as a process. I believe that my group and I forgot that learning can be described as gray, which makes it very difficult to put into specific categories. By reassessing our concept maps again, it helped me realize even more how abstract learning truly is and how many ideas and thoughts can encompass learning.
Lastly, I feel that the videos we watched in class were very informative and helpful in demonstrating different methods of teaching. It is very easy to read about different methods in a textbook, but it was beneficial to actually see them in action in a video. It is helpful to examine other people's teaching preferences as it is helping me form my own preferences for teaching. Through watching the videos and class discussions of the readings I see how important the teacher's presence is in the classroom as an intrinsic and extrinsic model for students.
If students can learn to appreciate and utilize other people's differences as a resource then successful learning can occur because students will strengthen their own learning and understanding of a topic through the experiences of their classmates.
I also appreciated breaking up into groups again to have discussions. This helps to solidify my learning as I enjoy bouncing ideas off of other people as everyone has a different perspective about an idea. At first my group struggled to create a new concept map, which was surprising to me because we had such an easy time last week. However, it makes sense that we struggled more this week because we have more knowledge about learning. Since we have more information, it was harder to categorize all of our thoughts. This also leads to another problem. It seems that learning is not best described through categorization, but more as a process. I believe that my group and I forgot that learning can be described as gray, which makes it very difficult to put into specific categories. By reassessing our concept maps again, it helped me realize even more how abstract learning truly is and how many ideas and thoughts can encompass learning.
Lastly, I feel that the videos we watched in class were very informative and helpful in demonstrating different methods of teaching. It is very easy to read about different methods in a textbook, but it was beneficial to actually see them in action in a video. It is helpful to examine other people's teaching preferences as it is helping me form my own preferences for teaching. Through watching the videos and class discussions of the readings I see how important the teacher's presence is in the classroom as an intrinsic and extrinsic model for students.
If students can learn to appreciate and utilize other people's differences as a resource then successful learning can occur because students will strengthen their own learning and understanding of a topic through the experiences of their classmates.
EDCI 5065 Week 1 T2P
Today I learned many things about the abstract concept of "learning" that I believe will benefit me as a future educator. It was very interesting to me to be able to see on paper what my learning preferences are. I always speculated what I believed were my stronger/weaker learning preferences, so it was interesting to see a whole list of preferences and how I rated. As students and teachers, it is important to understand where are strengths and weaknesses are in order to be able to know how information should be relayed best.
It was also beneficial I feel to split up into groups in order to compare other people's learning preferences. It is important for teachers and students to realize that people have different learning preferences as this helps explain why we are all different. It is important to be able to present information in a way that is conducive to multiple learning preferences.
The concept map was also helpful as it made me realize how abstract learning really is. There is no one set definition and everyone views learning differently. Through discussing the idea of learning with my group, I was able to come up with a better understanding of learning through the multiple avenues that learning occurs. The biggest thing for me is that learning is gray. Learning is not cut and dry and encompasses many different definitions.
In all I feel the most important concept I took away from this class today is differences. We all have different learning preferences, different personalities, different demographics etc. After this class I feel that above everything our differences will make us stronger especially as a group as we will have the opportunity to learn from each other's differences, which will make us better educators. When we embrace each other's differences and begin to learn from them, it will help us reach our students in different ways.
If a teacher employs a wide variety of learning activities throughout the daily lesson, then a wide variety of learning preferences will also be met which is beneficial to the students because no student learns in the same manner as another so in this way students will have many opportunities to connect to content.
It was also beneficial I feel to split up into groups in order to compare other people's learning preferences. It is important for teachers and students to realize that people have different learning preferences as this helps explain why we are all different. It is important to be able to present information in a way that is conducive to multiple learning preferences.
The concept map was also helpful as it made me realize how abstract learning really is. There is no one set definition and everyone views learning differently. Through discussing the idea of learning with my group, I was able to come up with a better understanding of learning through the multiple avenues that learning occurs. The biggest thing for me is that learning is gray. Learning is not cut and dry and encompasses many different definitions.
In all I feel the most important concept I took away from this class today is differences. We all have different learning preferences, different personalities, different demographics etc. After this class I feel that above everything our differences will make us stronger especially as a group as we will have the opportunity to learn from each other's differences, which will make us better educators. When we embrace each other's differences and begin to learn from them, it will help us reach our students in different ways.
If a teacher employs a wide variety of learning activities throughout the daily lesson, then a wide variety of learning preferences will also be met which is beneficial to the students because no student learns in the same manner as another so in this way students will have many opportunities to connect to content.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
EDCI 5825 Assignment Week 2
All four of the instructional models of Internet use (Internet Project, Internet Workshop, Internet Inquiry, and WebQuest) have many similarities between them and many times actually overlap in their use. All four of these models use the Internet in some way in order to obtain information for personal knowledge or to be able to share with a group. There are only a few defining differences between their form and use. Internet workshop is a simple research activity that a teacher will utilize in order for students to gather open-ended information about a topic to be able to share with the class. This differs from Internet project where students collaborate on a project with another classroom either in the building or elsewhere. Internet projects allow opportunities for cultural exchanges as many classrooms from around the world may participate in these projects, whereas Internet workshop intends to collaborate within student’s own classroom.
Internet workshop and Internet Inquiry are similar in that students are attempting to research information on the internet, but Internet Inquiry is more of a personal research quest for the student. Internet workshop is guided more heavily on questions from the teacher, whereas Internet Inquiry allows students to choose their own research question based on the unit of study with guidance from the teacher. Internet workshop and Internet Inquiry both rely on the students to share their results from their findings.
Internet workshop and WebQuests are directly related to each other as teachers can use WebQuests in their Internet workshops. WebQuests consist of teaching/learning units on their Internet already tested by other teachers. Students follow the directions and complete their learning experiences at the webquest site. Teachers should fully investigate the WebQuest before using the activity for an internet workshop in order to deem it an appropriate activity.
Internet project and Internet Inquiry utilize Internet research conversely. Internet project utilized the internet as a collaborative project whereas Internet Inquiry is an individual effort. It is possible that some Internet projects utilize a WebQuest as one of the activities so this is how these two instructional models may overlap. As for comparing Internet Inquiry and WebQuest, these two instructional models also approach using the internet differently. Internet Inquiry relies on personal research and investigation where the WebQuest guides the student along for information.
Since my subject area is Spanish, using internet project would be something I could use in my future classroom. Internet project allows for cultural exchanges between two different classrooms so this would be an excellent opportunity for my students to meet students from other Spanish speaking countries to be able to share information with one another. In this way, my students and the other cooperating classroom will be able to experience another culture first hand. My internet project would most likely consist of e-mail exchanges with the other cooperating classroom so it would be like having an online pen pal. This is a known as a form of internet project called a temporary project where teachers develop a project that fits a specific curriculum need (Leu, 2001). My students would be directed to write about certain things to their pen pal to enforce certain grammatical points and vocabulary that I am currently covering. In this way, students will see a greater importance of being able to communicate in the Spanish language as they will actually be talking to someone who is native Spanish speaker.
I have been able to meet with my cooperating teacher already so I have an idea of some of the technology components she would like me to include in the classroom. The textbooks that I will be teaching from have additional online resources that I may utilize in my lessons. These additional resources include online activities and additional online information about certain topics in the textbook. There is also a language lab in the school where activities such as internet workshop can occur as well as opportunities for students to practice listening and speaking Spanish. The classroom that I will be using will also have access to a SMART board, which my cooperating teacher uses frequently. I hope to be able to devise some lesson plans that will allow me to use the SMART board. I have already received the textbooks that I will be teaching from in the Fall so I will shortly begin to start planning my lessons and I plan on trying to fit the SMART board in there somehow.
Mac Questions: I have noticed that there are certain videos that I am not able to play because I don’t have the correct plug-ins. If I opened the windows side of the mac would they play? Can I download the plug-ins for the mac or is it for windows only?
Reference
Leu, D.J., Jr. (2001, March). Internet Project: Preparing students for new literacies in a global village [Exploring Literacy on the Internet department]. The Reading Teacher, 54(6). Available: http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/elec_index.asp?HREF=/electronic/RT/3-01_Column/index.html
Internet workshop and Internet Inquiry are similar in that students are attempting to research information on the internet, but Internet Inquiry is more of a personal research quest for the student. Internet workshop is guided more heavily on questions from the teacher, whereas Internet Inquiry allows students to choose their own research question based on the unit of study with guidance from the teacher. Internet workshop and Internet Inquiry both rely on the students to share their results from their findings.
Internet workshop and WebQuests are directly related to each other as teachers can use WebQuests in their Internet workshops. WebQuests consist of teaching/learning units on their Internet already tested by other teachers. Students follow the directions and complete their learning experiences at the webquest site. Teachers should fully investigate the WebQuest before using the activity for an internet workshop in order to deem it an appropriate activity.
Internet project and Internet Inquiry utilize Internet research conversely. Internet project utilized the internet as a collaborative project whereas Internet Inquiry is an individual effort. It is possible that some Internet projects utilize a WebQuest as one of the activities so this is how these two instructional models may overlap. As for comparing Internet Inquiry and WebQuest, these two instructional models also approach using the internet differently. Internet Inquiry relies on personal research and investigation where the WebQuest guides the student along for information.
Since my subject area is Spanish, using internet project would be something I could use in my future classroom. Internet project allows for cultural exchanges between two different classrooms so this would be an excellent opportunity for my students to meet students from other Spanish speaking countries to be able to share information with one another. In this way, my students and the other cooperating classroom will be able to experience another culture first hand. My internet project would most likely consist of e-mail exchanges with the other cooperating classroom so it would be like having an online pen pal. This is a known as a form of internet project called a temporary project where teachers develop a project that fits a specific curriculum need (Leu, 2001). My students would be directed to write about certain things to their pen pal to enforce certain grammatical points and vocabulary that I am currently covering. In this way, students will see a greater importance of being able to communicate in the Spanish language as they will actually be talking to someone who is native Spanish speaker.
I have been able to meet with my cooperating teacher already so I have an idea of some of the technology components she would like me to include in the classroom. The textbooks that I will be teaching from have additional online resources that I may utilize in my lessons. These additional resources include online activities and additional online information about certain topics in the textbook. There is also a language lab in the school where activities such as internet workshop can occur as well as opportunities for students to practice listening and speaking Spanish. The classroom that I will be using will also have access to a SMART board, which my cooperating teacher uses frequently. I hope to be able to devise some lesson plans that will allow me to use the SMART board. I have already received the textbooks that I will be teaching from in the Fall so I will shortly begin to start planning my lessons and I plan on trying to fit the SMART board in there somehow.
Mac Questions: I have noticed that there are certain videos that I am not able to play because I don’t have the correct plug-ins. If I opened the windows side of the mac would they play? Can I download the plug-ins for the mac or is it for windows only?
Reference
Leu, D.J., Jr. (2001, March). Internet Project: Preparing students for new literacies in a global village [Exploring Literacy on the Internet department]. The Reading Teacher, 54(6). Available: http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/elec_index.asp?HREF=/electronic/RT/3-01_Column/index.html
Friday, June 3, 2011
EDCI 5065 Week Two Assignment
• http://www.spanishnewsbites.com
This looks like an extremely beneficial resource to use in the classroom. This website consists of articles and videos about what is going on currently in Spain and Latin America. There are a variety of articles and videos of various levels for different levels of Spanish speakers. Unfortunately, many times current events are discouraged from being included in curriculum as it takes away time from other topics that needed to be covered. However, including events that are actually happening right now in the world seem to be an excellent way of engaging the students in the subject matter. In my opinion, “good teachers” will take the time to incorporate something that may not be in the curriculum, but is relevant and important to what they are teaching. In this way, the subject may seem more relevant to the student’s own lives as the event is occurring right now. Students will be able to develop competency in world languages when they allow themselves to become immersed in the language and this can be accomplished by sharing with the students current events from the Hispanic culture.
• http://www.virtualseville.com/
This also looks like an excellent resource that I may use if I were to teach a unit on the cities of Spain. This website provides a virtual tour of the city of Seville. The videos provide an accurate portrayal of the city and it comes to life more for the students instead of just looking at Seville from 2d pictures. The website also includes 2d pictures and maps so this activity could also be used for teaching directions and public transportation. I feel that many people learn by seeing and actually experiencing something, which pairs nicely with this activity. In my opinion, “good teachers” utilize a variety of teaching methods and utilize a wide variety of materials. This is an excellent interactive tool, which many students nowadays will appreciate. Students will develop competency in Spanish when they feel like they are a part of the culture, which is easily facilitated with this activity as the videos can make them feel like they are practically walking down the streets of Seville.
• http://www.spanish4teachers.org/
This website would be for me to utilize in order to produce activities for the students but it provided me with many ideas to include in my lesson plans. The website includes a variety of lesson plans, handouts, PowerPoint’s, vocabulary lists, tests/quizzes, and songs/videos. This website has a whole host of resources to browse through. Again, “good teachers” will pursue a variety of different resources to share with their students. Students will especially interactive activities such as the songs/videos section. Students will learn best when they are engaged in what they are learning about and this can be accomplished through incorporating something like unusual like a song that will help them remember the subjunctive tense for example. Something interesting like a song to help remember a verb tense will encourage students to develop competency in Spanish.
This looks like an extremely beneficial resource to use in the classroom. This website consists of articles and videos about what is going on currently in Spain and Latin America. There are a variety of articles and videos of various levels for different levels of Spanish speakers. Unfortunately, many times current events are discouraged from being included in curriculum as it takes away time from other topics that needed to be covered. However, including events that are actually happening right now in the world seem to be an excellent way of engaging the students in the subject matter. In my opinion, “good teachers” will take the time to incorporate something that may not be in the curriculum, but is relevant and important to what they are teaching. In this way, the subject may seem more relevant to the student’s own lives as the event is occurring right now. Students will be able to develop competency in world languages when they allow themselves to become immersed in the language and this can be accomplished by sharing with the students current events from the Hispanic culture.
• http://www.virtualseville.com/
This also looks like an excellent resource that I may use if I were to teach a unit on the cities of Spain. This website provides a virtual tour of the city of Seville. The videos provide an accurate portrayal of the city and it comes to life more for the students instead of just looking at Seville from 2d pictures. The website also includes 2d pictures and maps so this activity could also be used for teaching directions and public transportation. I feel that many people learn by seeing and actually experiencing something, which pairs nicely with this activity. In my opinion, “good teachers” utilize a variety of teaching methods and utilize a wide variety of materials. This is an excellent interactive tool, which many students nowadays will appreciate. Students will develop competency in Spanish when they feel like they are a part of the culture, which is easily facilitated with this activity as the videos can make them feel like they are practically walking down the streets of Seville.
• http://www.spanish4teachers.org/
This website would be for me to utilize in order to produce activities for the students but it provided me with many ideas to include in my lesson plans. The website includes a variety of lesson plans, handouts, PowerPoint’s, vocabulary lists, tests/quizzes, and songs/videos. This website has a whole host of resources to browse through. Again, “good teachers” will pursue a variety of different resources to share with their students. Students will especially interactive activities such as the songs/videos section. Students will learn best when they are engaged in what they are learning about and this can be accomplished through incorporating something like unusual like a song that will help them remember the subjunctive tense for example. Something interesting like a song to help remember a verb tense will encourage students to develop competency in Spanish.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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