After reading my “Personal Theory of Learning” from Week one of this course I realized I still have the same beliefs with a few additions. Initially I followed the Constructivist model but after learning about Constructionism I think it paints a clearer picture of what I ask my students to do on a regular basis. I also use Behaviorism in my classroom. I feel confident in providing positive reinforcement with my students. I have also implemented the “Effort Rubric” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p. 157) in my courses. This year many Accounting students were scoring well below average on their assessments. I have not changed anything in my instructional approach. After paying close attention to these students behavior in class and their attention during lectures I realized they were not making the connection between their effort and their performance. It will be interesting to see students make that connection over the course of the semester.
According to Dr. Orey, “The worst instructional approach is lecture approach” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). In my accounting courses I use a teacher oriented approach. I use PowerPoint as an instructional tool instead of using it as a learning tool. I need to change that in the near future. One way I would like to implement that change is to use more images in my PowerPoints and less text. By implementing images along with text I can utilize Palvlo’s dual coding hypothesis ( Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).
The first technology tool I would like to implement is VoiceThread. I believe I could implement this technology tool in my Personal Finance class in place of traditional research projects. The same objectives will be met but I believe using the technology will take the project to the next level. I believe students will be more engaged in active learning that is student centered. I have already implemented the Effort Rubric so that students can take responsibility for their own learning. Another technology tool I can implement is concept mapping. I used concept mapping as a teacher oriented instruction tool but I can also use concept mapping as an instructional tool.
The first long-term goal I have to change my instructional approach is to reduce my lecture lessons by twenty-five percent over the next year. This would equal approximately two lessons a month in my three content areas. My second long-term goal is related to the first. I would like to research Moodle to see if I can implement it in my school district. I can accomplish the first goal easier if I can implement Moodle. Currently, I cannot use wikis or blogs in my classes due to district restrictions. If I can find a way to implement Moodle I can use wikis and blogs on Moodle. By accomplishing this I can use more educational technologies in my classes and reduce the amount of lecture lessons that I give. My goal is to research Moodle and get it implemented in my classroom before the end of the school year.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Cognitive ToolsSection: Experiential Learning. [Motion Picture]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Technology: Instructional Tool vs. Learning Tool. [Motion Picture]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
