I cannot believe our class is drawing to a close. It seems like just yesterday that I was listening to Dr. Orey talk about instructional theory vs. learning theory. I can honestly say that I did not have the faintest idea about either of these theories. Now a mere seven weeks later I can have an intelligent conversation with someone explaining the difference between the two.
The main thing I took from the class is about the role of the learner. “All four of the theories are based on having an active learner in the classroom. Children have to be active in the learning process regardless of the learning theory that we incorporate.” (Laureate 2008) I think that this after finishing this course personal learning theory has been strengthened even more. I always tried to get the students to be active in the process. Now I make a more conscious effort and try to find ways for them to act as the teacher.
I learned that educational technology integration is not just me using an active board in front of the students to demonstrate something. I have to let them use it if they are to get any real sustenance from the activity. Two technology tools I would like to implement into my classroom would be the use of pedometers to measure the amount of steps students takes. It is recommended that we take ten thousand steps a day. I think if I had them track their progress and then put their information in an excel spreadsheet they would really enjoy this. The other technology would have to do with orienteering. This is a sport that helps students with navigational skills using maps, compasses, and now GPS. Teach them how to read maps and properly use the GPS while exercising by walking to the next destination around the school grounds.
My long-term goal for integrating technology into my instructional practices would be to not overdo it. I know this sounds strange in a time when the big push is to get technology into everything. As a PE teacher some technology as I have mentioned can be beneficial to adding depth to a class. However there are other times when good old fashioned basketball or kickball without a computer screen hooked up is really good for them. I have noticed that there are times when I pull out a technology and the students groan because they have it shoved down their throat too much. I am going to try and find a happy medium for when I use technology in my gymnasium to supplement a lesson.
I did not really know what to write for this fourth step paragraph. All it said to do was copy and paste the URL for my blog into a word document and submit it to the instructor. I went back and looked at the instructions for this final reflection and it says to be sure to have a total of six paragraphs with an intro, conclusion, and one for each of the four steps. I was not sure how I was going to get a fourth paragraph about my URL but I thought I would give it a try. After submitting this to my blog I will make sure to paste it here.
I learned a lot in this class about the theories behind how students learn. The most important thing I take away from this is that I need to try and get my students involved in the learning. Nothing is more important than having an engaged and active learner. It will be my job to help the student get there. I need to not stifle them but rather give them the opportunities to teach others what is expected.
Reflection:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Instructional Theory vs. Learning Theory Baltimore: Author.
