Bridging Theories, Instruction, and Technology

I began this course focused on a learning theory based on student interests, intelligences, and technology with real-world applications.  Yet, I had not considered how I would use student interest, intelligences, and technology effectively.  This course allowed me the opportunity to refine my theory to include behaviorist, cognitive, constructivist, and social learning theories.  For example, I learned that I must know when and how to use practice, investigations, projects, and group learning with technology.  Now my new learning theory is that an effective lesson will incorporate one of the major learning theories as well as student interests, intelligences, and technology in real-world applications.

My teaching techniques will change.  Now that I realize that technology can be used in multiple ways, I can then plan better to create a lesson that incorporates technology accordingly.  For example, if I want my students to practice the skill, I will specifically seek out websites that meet the objective.  Two tools that I am excited to integrate into my classroom are Voicethread and Virtual Field Trips.  My students can only get better at reading, writing, and speaking by using this tool.  Just as important, virtual field trips will allow my students to go across the globe and across time, something they may never be able to do. 

While I have already begun to improve my teaching practices, I have two long-term goals to make my lessons that integrate technology even better.  I will plan to use technological tools on a daily basis.  This could be my chance to use the behaviorist, cognitive, constructivist, and social learning theories. To complete this goal, I will begin by integrating a Voicethread prompt or a virtual field trip once a week.  Eventually, I will be able to comfortably add more technology.   My next goal is to use the constructivist learning theory more often.  I am guilty of wanting my students to get a real-world connection, but I rarely give them projects.  To complete this goal, I will try to set up a project each month.  By doing these things, I feel I can bridge learning theories, instruction, and technology for an effective lesson.