Reflection For Effective Bridging of Technology and Instruction

As I reflect on the past eight weeks and all that I have come to learn, I have found that it is not so much that my personal learning theory that has changed, but that the way in which I ulitize those theories has changed. I have always gone to great lengths to identify the various learning modalities of my students. From my personal school experience, my own childrens' learning experience, and that of my students, I now more than ever, realize the importance in using a combination of the theories presented to effectively reach each and every child in my class. I will continue to use the Constructionist and Social Learning Theories, because it is evident that children learn better through collaboration and being actively engaged in their own learning process.

Two technology tools that I am very excited to use in my classroom are VoiceThreads and Virtual Field Trips. Being a first grade teacher, it is sometimes difficult to have students blog because of their lack of keyboarding skills and blog sites being blocked at my school, (although I am trying to have students do this from home using one or two sentences). VoiceThreads is something that I knew right away that I could implement. I am eager to have my students break up into small cooperative groups and present standards-based information using their own creativity. The other tool that I am using is Virtual Field Trips. I have written before about how I, myself, am a visual learner. Virtual Field Trips enable the child who can't get an image in their mind just from reading words on a page. These "trips" appeal to all of the senses, making learning more optimal. I am still amazed at how these tools, among others, will change the way in which I teach, as well as, the way in which my students learn.

When I think about my long term goals, I become a little overwhelmed because there are so many. But, as I have learned, I need to begin slowly. I have learned that I need to essentially work backwards. I will first look at my goal(s) and then identify which technology tool(s) best suites my needs. Using technology just for the sake of using it, isn't necessary or good practice. My second goal is to allow my students be more in control of the way in which they are learning their material. I need to step back and be more of the learning facilitator. Once I have introduced my students to these various technology tools, they will be able to tell me which tool THEY would like to utilize in learning or presenting, instead of me telling them. In order to make this a smooth transaction, I, myself, need to become more comfortable in using the technology that is at hand. In essence, it is important for me to continue to step out of my comfort zone and into the 21st century of technology! It is a time for me to bid farewell to so much pencil and paper work, and say hello to all of the amazing technology we have at our fingertips.

Amy Arsenault