Technology and Learning Theories

Even though I have a deeper understanding of different learning theories, I do not think my view on how I learn has changed. The deeper understanding only helped me become more aware of different learning theories and how they link to one another. When learning occurs, I may use different learning theories together but my learning style is still based on the constructivist theory. It also helped me realize that changes in technology will continue. My knowledge and awareness of all learning styles will ensure that I am reaching all learners and their learning experience will be beneficial. Over the past few weeks, I have important information about learning theories through the weekly resources as well as classmates. I have learned that we solely base our learning on personal experiences and we continue to store information in our memories. This further explains why I have always believed in the constructivist theory, because in our daily lives whether personal or educational, it is based on an experience we have had in the past or related to a real-life experience. Technology plays a key role in my life. All of my work and communication at school where I work centers around technology. I have to do the daily attendance, input grades, teach using the interwrite board, assess students, and communicate through emails all using technology. In an elementary setting, I have to differentiate instruction. If one of my students is not grasping a concept, sometimes I will pull up a PowerPoint lesson or a video on united streaming. This technology really helps students who are struggling. I was never one who liked traditional classroom settings. Since online learning started, I have had beneficial learning experiences. My job and home life is time consuming so online learning for me is a great way for me to continue my education. Technology helps me learn new things such as new programs and software, create new projects and learn new information.

How the Brain Works Best: Easy ways to gain optimal learning in the classroom by activating different parts of the brain
The article written by Dr.Bruce Perry talks about how educators and neuroscientists have researched the brain and how it works over the past 40 years. He discusses how all learning is brain based and how it is important for a teacher to have knowledge of how the brain works, because when learning occurs we are literally trying to change the brain. The article explains what part of the brain is working when a teacher says certain things to a student. Dr.Perry believes teachers much find ways to engage students in learning because the brain activates learning. This is an excellent article for teachers because it will help the teacher gain an understanding of how important it is to know that learning comes from the brain. Teachers must have an awareness of how the brain is the core to educating students and different parts of the brain serves a different function. We have to learn how to tap into all parts of the brain and engage students in learning in order for success.

URL: http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/brainlearns.htm

A Fresh Look at Brain Based Education

This article was written in Phi Delta Kappan by Eric P. Jenson. He gives a detailed overview of brain based education, how it effects educators and students and how it should be implemented. He starts the article by talking about the history of brain based education and how it has evolved over the years. Jenson thinks if we learn more about brain based education, we will be able to better apply that knowlege. Brain based education is based on principles derived from an understanding of the brain. If we don't understand how the brain works, we risk student success. This article is an excellent resource for anyone interested in brain based education and how it is becoming more popular.

URL:http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k_v89/k0802jen.htm

Week 1 Assignment

This week's resources provided three links related to blogging and instructional design. The first blog was Instructional Design for Elearning Approaches created by Ferdinand Krauss. This blog has reflections, articles and insights on elearning strategies and instructional design. Some of the topics include: A Framework for the Pedagogical Evaluation of eLearning Environments. This paper is a link anyone can use as a framework to enhance learning when it deals with eLearning environments. There are also links to articles about the benefits of online learning as well as how to manage online learning. http://ideas.blogs.com/
The next blog for week 1 was Internet Time Blog. This blog was created by Jay Cross. The Internet Time Group helps organizations improve the performance of their people by speeding up their learning. This group develops action plans, training programs, presentations among other things. In this blog, one will find the definition of the term design, along with links to top principles of design. It also includes the history along with links to articles such as Instructional Design and Learning Theory, Instructional Design Models, etc. This blog is very resourceful for instructional design terms and background. http://www.internettime.com/blog/archives/001083.html
The third resource for week one is Blogs About: Instructional Design. Anyone can post on this site. Whether it is an instructional design job posting, seminars that are coming up worldwide, someone sharing ideas about good books to read, etc. Anyone can post on this blog whatever information they have on instructional design and related topics.http://en.wordpress.com/tag/instructional-design/