Module 6

My Philosophy of Teaching

In all actuality, I could write at least 10 pages on my Philosophy of Teaching.  However, I will try to condense it for this posting.  I postulate my thoughts will be ever-changing in this field.  Each year brings new aspects which I have to ponder upon and decide what I believe.  On the other hand, a few things are absolute: 1) Students are always going to be hormonal and have attitudes (good or bad), 2) You have the choice to change their lives and show you care, 3) You have the ability to give them an exceptional education, and 4) It is their choice whether they step up to the challenge.  Now, there are other things which play into these absolutes like parents and administration, but teachers can make a difference if they choose too.  Also, I believe the importance of emotional intelligence should be addressed in school.  Sometimes, students have a hard time receiving an education because they have so many other negative things going on in their lives.  However, if we address how to handle these other factors, I believe attendance confidence, and grades will improve. 

Some non-negotiables I have with teaching and learning are that all students can learn at high levels and all educators should have high expectations for all students.   If there are teachers who do not believe this, then they should be removed from this field.  As an educator, I should be consistently reflecting and re-molding myself to fit the students’ needs.  Let’s face it, this job isn’t easy and it has high risks, but big rewards.  Seeing students walk across the graduation stage makes it all worth it for me.

In what ways do you learn differently in an online environment from the way you learned in a face-to-face environment?

I actually prefer face to face learning.  I can see the instructors’ faces and hear their intended meaning.  I also receive help immediately rather than waiting for days and days to receive an e-mail about when I can get help. I am more apt in a face to face environment to participate and pay attention than in an online environment.  However, I chose Walden for my Master’s and now Specialist degree because my life is hectic.  Walden allows me the freedom to learn at home and on the weekends.  It also helps me to become a digital native not immigrant.  On the other hand, after this experience with my specialist, I wish I would have gone to UTC to receive my degree.  I have learned a few new technological tools, but that is it.

What impact has technology had on your learning?

Technology has had a major impact on my learning.  As I stated earlier, I have gone from a digital immigrant to a digital native.  I have learned so many new tools to use in my classroom; such as, wikis, blogs, Skype, moodle, edmodo, and many others.  My students have benefited from what I have gleaned in some of these classes; especially from my master’s program. 

Module 5: Responses

http://twrighteduc.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-technology.html?showComment=1321200378196#c1860892865520323912

http://rachelbell33.blogspot.com/2011/11/module-5-blog.html?showComment=1321200124589#c4982148522814845505

New Technologies

Briefly describe a situation in which you have encouraged people to use a new technology and have been met with resistance or disappointing results. What attitudes did these people exhibit? What behaviors did they demonstrate? Using Keller’s ARCS model, describe how you could change the motivation of these people, or learners, to encourage success. 

One year ago, I worked at the Whitfield County Career Academy where they were completely immersed in project-based learning.  Because of this, they used technology as a tool in order to make project-based learning more engaging and relevant to the students’ lives.  However, only half of the school chose to do this, while the other half experimented with it.  I was in the half that was experimenting, because they wanted me to work with seniors and the senior teachers on using technology in the classroom.  I thought it was going to be an easy/fun experience, however, it turned into a nightmare.  The reason being, they did not want to change from traditional learning or use new technologies.  I tried to remain positive for most of the year, but after a while, I gave up and did my own thing.  Once I began to work on my own, they hated me more for it because they felt guilty and like they were going to get into trouble.  Looking back, I wish I would have known about Keller’s ARCS model.   Keller (1984) proposed four conditions for motivation that must be met to have a motivated learner.  These are:

A-attention

R-relevance

C-confidence

S-satisfaction

If I would have known about ARCS, I believe I may have been a different person to them.  I forgot that even teachers need small successes in order to glean confidence in something.  Also, they need to see how it is relevant to their curriculum and receive some type of affirmation or satisfaction by trying something new.  Instead, I proposed something new and expected them to jump right in head first. 

References:

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Module 4 responses

I posted to the following:

http://hutchisonedt550.blogspot.com/

http://momtech-eeducatorblogger.blogspot.com/2011/10/module-4-connectivism-mindmap.html?showComment=1319908189051#c1873272956577379287

Connectivism Mindmap: Module 4

How has your network changed the way you learn?

My learning has radically changed over the last few years due to my education through Walden.  I will honestly say I would have never known about wikis, blogs, podcasts, vodcasts, skype or anything else if it wasn't for this program.  Because of these tools, my learning comes quicker than it used to.  I no longer have to wait on a professor to teach me the information.  I can now learn it on my own through said programs. Also, I have the ability to skype with colleagues from around the world to discuss educational matters.  This has not only increased my learning, but also allowed me to collaborate with others who may think differently because of their environment.

Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

The tools that best facilitate learning for me would have to be skype, wikis, and discussion boards.  I learn more from communication with others, and these programs allow me to do so. I meet with different groups at least once a week to collaborate on projects or to discuss the "happenings" of class.  This not only helps me to learn, but also keeps me up to speed with what all is due that week.  Lastly, the discussion boards allow me to expand my thinking by comparing it to others' thoughts.  I really grow as a learner when I am able to see and ponder upon different ways of thinking.

How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions?

I learn new knowledge a variety of different ways.  One is by reading others' thoughts on the discussion boards.  This allows me to expand my own knowledge by seeing what others think.  Also, skyping is an essential tool for me.  It allows me to communicate with others anywhere/anytime I want.  I have really enjoyed having access to it, because it allows me accessibility to information when I need it.  Lastly, I use Youtube and collaboration with my best friend through texting in order to bring to fruition aspects I do not understand in class.  Youtube allows me to see demonstrations on how to work certain digital tools I may not understand and my best friend is an amazing “techie,” so I go to her like she is my teacher. 

Module 3 Responses

http://vaughnswalden.blogspot.com/2011/10/collaboration-blog-post-3.html?showComment=1318176556479#c2499369078580725395

http://jenniferbethrobinson.blogspot.com/2011/10/module-3.html?showComment=1318176838591#c7031259841808808766

Collaboration

•Do you believe that humans have a basic instinct to “interact and work as a group,” as Rheingold proposed in his discussion of the evolution of Wikipedia as a collectively developed encyclopedia?

As Rheingold stated in his video, I too believe humans have a basic instinct to “interact and work as a group” (2005).  In my opinion, over the ages we have grown to understand the importance of collaboration to the survival of mankind.  We depend on each other to get the “most for our money.”  I believe as we advance more in technology, we will begin to depend more and more on one another.  For example, look at the direction education has gone in the last 10 years.  We have gone from a factory to a communal commons of learning.  We understand that two heads are better than one.

•How can technology facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principles?

In the reading, Driscoll wrote the following recommendations:  1) Embed learning in complex, realistic, and relevant environment; 2)Provide for social negotiation as an integral part of learning; 3) Support multiple perspectives and the use of multiple modes of representation; 4) Encourage ownership; 5) Nurture self-awareness of the knowledge construction process (2005).  Technology enables these recommendations to come to life and engage our students.  The best examples of the above question live in our classrooms today.  At my school, Coahulla Creek High School, students use their tablets to do group research, access Edmodo, or Skype with one another about problems or discussion questions that they have encountered in class.   Also, our school was built to encourage collaboration and the use of technology.  So, the entire school has Wi-Fi for the students to use their tablets, iPads, or laptops.  As one can see, technology is the best way to embed the constructivist principles into student learning. 

•Find a current research study that has been conducted in the last 5 years that supports collaboration as an effective tool for learning. Include the link and reference for this study in your blog.

http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/tojde32/pdf/notes_for_editor_1.pdf

References:

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Rheingold, H. (2008, February). Howard Rheingold on collaboration [Video file]. Retrieved from 
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html