Cognitivism in Practice

In education cognitive tools are beneficial because they allow students to interact with information to acquire, synthesize, create, and share new knowledge by examining their roles (Orey, 2001).  Technology can be used to assist in the learning process.  Students are able to utilize technology to think, learn, and problem solve by using different applications available to them.  Students are able to use technology to look up information, present information, organize information, integrate prior knowledge, and generate knowledge (Orey, 2001). 

It is important that as we teach we check students’ ability to retrieve, use, and organize information about the subject by using cues, questions, and advance organizers that assist students (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2013).  A cue is a hint that uses students’ prior knowledge to help them understand new information.  It is important that teachers questions students to determine their prior knowledge on what they previously verses what they do not know.  Advance organizers are used to help students focus on important concepts in a lesson.  They are able to use advance organizers to point out important information, identify relationships within the material, and formulate connections with prior knowledge (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2013, p. 91).  These strategies are important to use in the beginning of a lesson because it allows the students to begin to think about the information they are going to learn.  In addition, it will also help students focus on key concepts during lesson. 

In a classroom there are many different approaches that teachers can use to incorporate cognitive tools into their teachings.  One strategy teachers can do is to require students to research information before going on a field trip.  They could use the their research to create a brochure on word processing software and use on their trip.  They can use the brochure as an agenda, map, or for information they will see on their field trip.  Students can also use organizing and brainstorming software to form connections between information in a unit.  The teacher can create essential questions and have students create a graphic organizer.  This will require students to use higher order thinking skills to answers and also incorporates cognitive learning strategies.  In this activity students will be able to incorporate written descriptions along with pictures that can be used to help create connections to the material.  It is important that students create a network of connections to help them retrieve information from their long-term memory (Laureate Education Inc., 2011).  Instructional media is also another approach that teachers can incorporate into their lessons.  An example is by having students watch a video segment on a subject where they are able to stop and replay the segment as needed.  In addition, questions can be incorporated into the lesson by providing cues for students to answers questions to a blog.  Blogs are extremely beneficial in education because students are able to post information, have discussions, ask questions, and clarify misconceptions on a topic. 

In order for students’ to better understand information summarizing and note take can be use to synthesize information.  Students need to not be able to just copy information from a book or online resource but put it in their own words.  If they information is not in their own words students will not be able to form connections between the material.  These skills can be addressed through use of graphic organizers, multimedia, wikis, and blogs.   In addition, as students take notes they should incorporate outlining, webbing, and pictographs in additions to words (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2013, p.151).  This will help students to create connections to information and access it from their long-term memory at a later time.  Students can utilize applications such as evernote, audionote, infinite, and paperdesk to help them with this strategy.

I think there are many useful websites that students can use to incorporate summarizing and note takes skills.  Thinkfree is a great website that students can use to collaborate to prepare documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.   www.thinkfree.com 

Although I have not begun implement many of these strategies into my teaching I anticipate that I will next year.  I think with the use of technology it can help enhance students learning by incorporating skills they use daily.  In addition, many students would rather look information up on the Internet then read it in a book.  They would also rather create a word documents then hand write an assignment.  As a result it might be difficult at first for them to get use to using technology to enhance their education but it will eventually become second nature to them.  In addition, it will provide them with benefits of problem solving, critical thinking, working collaboratively on a project.  One of the most important aspects is that students do not need to be in the same location to work on group assignments.  I know as a student it became frustrating to create group projects and coordinate times that work form everyone however, with the use of technology that no longer is an issues. 

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program five: Cognitive learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2^nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Behaviorism in Practice

 
Behaviorism Theories

Behaviorism is the learning theory that emphasizes behaviors changes of students.  Behaviorist focuses on directly observed behaviors that can be learned habits as a result to operant conditioning.  If a student is demonstrates a desirable behavior rewards will help encourage those behaviors.  However, if a student demonstrates an undesirable behavior they are often followed by consequences (Orey, 2001).  I think it is necessary as an educator to point out desirable traits and behaviors that students’ demonstrate to recognize its importance.  In addition, these students serve as role models to other students as their positive behaviors are pointed out.  In addition, behaviorist can also use learning theory, instruction, and technology for positive reinforcement of students.  Technology can be used to “Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition,” and “Assigning Homework and Providing Practice.”

Reinforcing Effor and Providing Recognition

It is important as an educator to provide moral support to all students to help build on their self-esteem and motivation to succeed in class.  It has been prove through research that self-efficacy plays a strong role in motivation in learning.  If a student feel that they are unable to succeed they often do not succeed where as if a student believes they can succeed they often do.  The saying “Success comes in cans; failures in can’ts,” can be used to represent a students self-efficacy (Pitler, 2012, p.57).  I have noticed from past experience that students need to believe in themselves weather it is in science class when designing an experiment, history class when they are presenting a project, or gym class when they are trying to run a mile.  I believe that your mind has a huge impact on your success.  It is important as a teacher that you create an environment that reinforces effort and provides recognition to students to encourage their success. 

They are a various technological tools that educators can access to help increase motivation.  Teachers can use data collection and analysis tools that students can be active participants in the creation of the rubric they will use to monitor their achievement.  They can then rate their efforts weekly based on attitude, commitment, pride, and total effort and assessment school.  They can monitor their progress throughout the course to visual how their attitude attributes to their assessment score.  Students also love to be recognized and praise for their hard work and achievement.  As a high school teacher I put stickers on test grades that are “A’s,” or a when I notice an improvement on a test.  In addition, students like their work displayed for other people to see.  In my classroom I often display projects that students create around the room.  In addition, teachers can showcase students work on their webpages by posting photographs of their project, links or attachments to their presentations or word documents to be seen by anyone who view the website.  In my class I had students create fictitious marshmallow creatures based on genetic traits that was inherited.  After students created their Marshmallow Creatures I had them email me a picture of and created a class photo gallery of their creations.  This could be posted on an online source that students could show their family and friends as well a source such as flicker, website, blog, or wiki page.  In order to encourage participation in class I created “Budney Bucks” that I print out and give to students are rewards coupons.  My students are able to cash in their Budney Bucks and redeem them as homework passes or extra credit on the test.  I often sent my students reminders and inspirational quotes using reminder 101.  I feel that it is important as an educator to provide positive reinforcement for my students to encourage they achievement in my class.  I strongly believe when students are provided positive support it helps raise their motivation and desire to succeed.  When students know that other people are going to view their work they often but more time and dedication in to the assignment or project.      

Assigning Homework and Providing Practice

This year in teaching I have been struggling with the creation of effective homework assignments.  I believe that practice, drill, and repetition are essential in mastery the understanding of information.  However, I feel that students no longer want to take the time to review their notes or textbook to complete assignments.  They often answer questions off the top of their or instantly Google the answers to questions.  Many of the worksheet I provide my students are from the Internet or supplemental material from the book where the answers easily accessible online.  When students are coping answers they are not thinking or analyzing what they are writing and the assignment is ineffective.  As a result, researching finds have mix findings of the effectiveness and importance of homework (Pitler, 2012, p.167).  As a teacher I feel that extra reinforcement is needed at home however, it must reflect on higher order thinking skills and be effective to student learning.  Homework assignments must support academic learning communication and also provide feedback to students. 

It is important as a society is becoming more technology based that teacher utilize technology is their assessments.  If homework assignments are designed using technology it can prevent students from copying answers to worksheets.  Multimedia can be implement in lessons to redefine homework practice by having students listening to a podcast or vodcast lecture at home.  In class the teacher would be able to focus her time to answering questions and working with small groups in school.  Students can also watch tutorials from the Khan Academy in various different subject areas to help reinforce information they learned.  Students can also watch short video segments on BrainPop followed by questions they need to answer and email quiz to their teachers.  Students are also able to use technology to create games as homework assignments.  Students can utilize blogs as a classroom collaboration to answer questions and respond to classmates post (Pitler, 2012). 

As our society is changing the way we educate must change as well.  What worked well in the past is not longer as effective today.  As students are becoming more technologically equipped we must utilize technology to keep them engaged in a lesson.  In the past if a topic came up in class I would give extra credit to a student that research the material for homework however, today they want answers instantly.  We must redesign our lesson and teaching strategies to keep students engaged, interested, and waning to learn. 

Useful to enhance your technology use in the classroom

Can be used to show short reinforcement videos:  https://www.khanacademy.org/library

Flickr can be use to virtually display student work:  https://www.flickr.com/

References:

Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and

technology. Retrieved from

http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom

instruction that works (2^nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Reflection of Course EDUC 67101

This course has taught me a great deal of information in seven short weeks.  I never thought I myself would have my own blog page, participate in a wiki page, and create a podcast.  As a teacher I have heard of podcast and wiki pages but never really knew the true impact that they could have in education.  After taking this course it has become apparent to me that these resources can be extremely beneficial to students in my classroom.  I personal blog on a daily basis and never realized it before from social media sites to visiting different websites that you can post a blog response to.  I never thought about introducing these ideas into my classroom before taking this course.  I have discovered many powerful ways in which these resources can help educate and cause my students to analyze and critically thinking.  In addition, these are different types of technologies that they are exposed to on a daily basis.  They are also ways to make education fun and appealing for students by using tools that interest them. 

In addition, to the technology I used in this class I also gained a better perspective of the 21st century standards.  I have heard about the 21st century standards however, I myself did not know about them.  This course has forced me to have better understanding of what these standards are.  In addition, it has caused me to want to change my teaching strategies.  It is no longer important for the educator to know all the information in the classroom but to act as a facilitator help bridge the gap of knowledge together.  As educators our job is to prepare our students for their future workplace even if their future jobs have not been created yet.  In order to prepare our students we need them to be able to collaborate, problem solve, and be creative with their ideas (Partnership, n.d.).    These are ideas that without this class I would have never considered their importance. 

This cause has made me realize several reason why it is important for classrooms to no longer be teacher centered but rather student centered instead.  It is apparent that when students are able to control their own questions and discoveries in education it is more meaningful to them.  In todays world with the technology available to students they are able to discover and find out anything they are interested in.  They no longer need a teacher to stand in from of them and lecture what they should know.  Where as, in a student centered environment students are able to control the knowledge they learn and most analyze like the information to learn out to apply it.  As a teacher I want students to learn in my class and not dread having to learn.  I think in order to make sure that children are understand ideas and concepts you must allow for students to research and discover information that interests then as well.   This class has caused me to want to expand on these methods of teaching.  I want my students to be able to problem solve, critically think, express their creativity, and collaborate with others. I want to introduce more project based learning in which students are able to direct the way in which they are going to learn.  I want students to work in small groups and where they will have to take a concept and create a project on in that elaborates on many different aspects on it.  I want my students to be able to teach other classmates through their research.  I want to incorporate technology into my lessons to help students learn and elaborate on their idea.  However, these are ideas I had several weeks ago but never knew where to begin.  After, exposing myself to several different types of available resources I can no introduce them to my classroom.  I know I am not an expert in blogging, podcasts, or wiki spaces but you have to start somewhere.  In order to become better acquainted and more familiar using I will have to begin somewhere.  In the next few weeks I plan to introduce these ideas to my class and begin a new journey of teachers I never thought I would use.

As an educator the goals I set for myself that I would like to achieve is to incorporate more 21st century standards into my lessons and utilizing more digital technology use for students.  I know that it will take some time to direct my teachings from teacher centered to student centered but I plan to make small changes.  I plan to increase problem solving and critical thinking skills within my classroom.  I also plan to incorporate more collaborative group based projects in my class.  In order to introduce more digital technology next year I plan to start a blog that students will answer discussions questions on.  This will allow my students an opportunity to critically thinking around from the classroom.  I reviewed my checklist from week 1 and I do not feel that my answers have changed yet.  Although I have a better understanding of some of the technologies I do not feel completely comfortable yet.  I think it is going to take time and practice.

References: 

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). Parntership for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.p21.org/

Interview of Technology Usage

Interview of Technology Usage <-- <--PODCAST LINK!!!

CLICK ON LINK ABOVE TO VIEW MY PODCAST!

I recently surveyed 76 of my students to determine their daily usage in technology.  I also asked them questions regarding the different kinds of technology that they used in both their home and school environment.  I also asked them questions regarding their interest and experiences for using technology socially and academically.  I created a podcast and personally interview three students named Bryan, Lisa, and Bryanna.  In addition, I also include my class demographics to the technology survey.  Please listen to my podcast I create regarding their personal technology usage of my students.