Teaching+with+Technology

As an avid computer user, I know there are more ways that I could work technology into the classroom. This course has already provided me with ideas for incorporating the existing technologies we have as a district into my curriculum. The area that I have found most interesting thus far is the use of constructivist theory in the classroom. My primary curriculum is Communication Applications. We already do some learner-centered activities, one of which is a group problem-solving unit where they must address a problem that exists at the school and find solutions to it. However, the potential exists for so much more. My initial concern about using a primarily constructivist approach in the classroom would be the perception of my role in the scenario. This concern was addressed in the readings and videos, as the teacher may not be lecturing in front of the room, they are instead facilitating a learner-led activity that can have a much more significant impact on the student's interest in the topic.

I would like to incorporate a group learner-centered activity that was the topic of discussion this weekend. One of my colleagues was telling me about a project she has her classes do that would be a great use of learner-centered theory and constructivism. The project begins with the student choosing a topic that they feel strongly about that needs to be changed or more attention. Some topics the students chose included animal cruelty, Special Olympics and domestic violence. They students would give a persuasive speech about the topic after they learned more about it and the organizations that exist to help those in need. They would then form groups that would volunteer and interview members of the organization. They would put together a PowerPoint presentation to inform their classmates about their activities and all they learned. Not only does this get them involved with their community, but it covers all the required TEKS for my course. I’m very excited about the potential this project has!

Update 11/28/09 The research that shows the effect of computers in the classroom was very interesting. Having studied very little about psychology, it was intriguing to me that the use of computers in the classroom would have such a profound effect on the impressions the students had of learning but also their own self-concept. Having studied self-concept and its application to communication, it is interesting to ponder the theory that our impression of what we think others think of us has an impact on our own self-concept. Since computers cannot judge subjectively, it allows the student an outlet that does not provide a reason to think the computer has developed an opinion of them, so they are more comfortable with that tool than some face-to-face teaching.

It is important to take into account the learning styles of the students. Students that are visual learners have more outlets with the computer than they might enjoy in a traditional classroom. By employing techniques that are more suited to their learning style, they will be more successful in attaining and retaining the knowledge, in turn making them more confident and successful and therefore raising their self-esteem and improving their self-concept.