EDUC6711 Reflection

Initially, my personal learning theory I developed focused primarily on the cognitivist learning theory and that students learn best with this theory. Lever-Duffy and McDonald (2008) stated that, “cognitivists focus on learning as a mental operation that takes place when information enters through the senses, undergoes mental manipulation, is stored, and is finally used” (p. 16). To me, that learning theory made the most sense, but after reviewing all the other learning theories, I have decided that not one learning solely working alone is best. I feel that incorporating each learning theory into lessons in different ways maximize learning for all students. I feel that incorporating only one theory all the time is not enough to maximize student learning.

The adjustments I will make in regards to my instructional practice with technology is to try to incorporate it more often. I rarely use technology with my students, and from this course, I have learned about a lot of different options with using technology. Two technology tools I will use with my students are virtual field trips and creating voicethreads. These two technology tools will allow students to work cooperatively and will also incorporate the contructivist learning theory, which is a good addition and will help enhance my students’ learning. Students will also develop a sense of empathy as we explore the Spanish-speaking world using virtual field trips, which is one of our school district’s outcomes and indicators.

The first long-term goal change I would like to make to my instructional practice regarding technology is to incorporate a student-lead technology project for each quarter for each Spanish class (first and second year) that I teach, so students are creating a project using technology tools for each unit (I have four big units each year). The second long-term goal change I would like to make is to not loose sight of which learning theories to use with different technological tools to best help my students learn. Instead of plugging in a technology tool into a lesson, I want to be able to plan it out knowing why I am using the tool rather than just doing it to say I am doing it. I will meet this goal by reflecting on my lessons each year and start planning my activities now, while the information is fresh in my mind from this class.

References:

Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.