Learning theories are important because each student has a different way to learn. It is important for teachers to keep an open mind when teaching a classroom of different learning styles. When thinking of my personal learning theory, I feel I learn best with hands-on activities and being able to visit with others around me to discuss possible outcomes and other understanding. This is mostly the social constructionist theory. I also feel this is how most students learn best, as well. If students are being active learners, they are actually being able to demonstrate their understanding and ability to show the knowledge they are obtaining. If a learning theory is based on what is in the mind and what is going on, students need to be fully engaged and excited about the learning. (Orey, 2009) As Dr. Michael Orey stated, “students need to be embedded into the learning” to get the most out of it. (Orey, 2009) The behaviorism theory of learning complements my model because if students are off-task during a hands-on activity it can defeat the purpose of learning together. Students need to have positive reinforcements for acceptable behaviors and punishments for off-task behaviors. If this occurs, then the learning will also be greater and students will be active learners. The constructionist approach also influences my model. I feel if students are able to build on their previous understandings, they will be more aware of misconceptions our further their learning.
I feel my personal learning theory is reflected in my instructional practices in a variety of different ways. The curriculum we use at my school involves hands-on instruction and social environments during learning. The math program we use is Bridges in Mathematics, which is based on students being active participants and using tools to discover their understandings. As for our language arts program, we use Literacy by Design and this is also another hands-on type of learning where students are engaged in think-pair-shares as well as table talk to discuss topics. As students are sharing and conversing with other students, it is very important students are on-task and able to complete this process without other distractions. This is something I have worked with my students since the first day of school. I feel with these programs and my personal learning model, I am able to help students become immersed in their learning experience and become engaged with the discussions. My students are able to work with each other to think through and process what they are learning.
During my lessons, technology is embedded into each activity. Technology is very important to me because if they are unable to become involved with it at a young age, they will be behind the rest of society. Each lesson I teach, rather it be math, language arts, Social Studies, ect., I create a Flipchart for my Promethean Board. This way students are able to see what the objective is for the day. It is also a neat way to get students up and demonstrate understanding by also becoming involved with technology. Another way technology is used in my classroom is with the ELMO. Students are able to bring up their work and discuss it with the class. The way I am able to use technology in my classroom is just another way to help students become actively engaged in learning.
At this time, I feel my only modifications I would like to make to my personal theory of learning is to include technology in my everyday lessons. If students become more involved with technology, it will make the learning more exciting to them. This will be an immediate adjustment I will make to help improve my instruction. The two technology tools I will like to use with my students include the Concept Map and Spreadsheets. The Concept Map will be a great way for my students to get an organized idea of how the lesson or unit will go. I feel this will help with their abilities to understand what is coming next in the lesson. The second tool will be Spreadsheets. I have never used this tool in my classroom, as of now. I feel this will be a great way to help my students collect data in an organized way. One long-term goal I would like to make for myself would be to integrate technology into each lesson I am teaching. I already use the Promethean Board for each lesson, but I would like to have my students be using a laptop or some type of technology at their desks. This would help my students become actively engaged in the lesson. Another goal I am setting for myself is to cut back on my lecturing type of teaching. When I create my flip charts for my lessons on the Promethean Board, I want to make sure I have images and not words for my students. I know this will help with student engagement.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Dr. Michael Orey.
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