Module 6 - Learning in a Digital World

     Technology has a huge impact on the way that I learn.  I can listen to a lecture or watch someone review a power point presentation and walk away with not bit of new knowledge.  On the other hand, I can view a podcast at my leisure, rewinding and replaying key parts, or participate in an interactive learning activity, and immediately become engaged in the learning process.  This is when I gain new knowledge and skills. I am the type of person who needs reflection time and likes independent learning, so face to face appears to be so much more structured and rigid, while the online environment allows me to personalize my own learning.  

     I believe that knowing the standards that I am teaching is the most critical and non-negotiable element in teaching and learning.  Next, communication with administrators, colleagues, and most importantly, the students is key to successful teaching and learning.  I have learned much about the different learning theories and feel that a blend of all of these theories at the appropriate time and in the right way is the best way to prepare learners for a future in such a constantly changing environment.  My preferred theory is connectivism, however in my profession as a middle grades teacher, the maturity of those students and the lack of experience with theory on my part requires for sure that I incorporate behaviorism and constructivism into their education.  There are many elements involved in online and face to face education that are important factors and another important feature is flexibility.  The world is changing, technology is changing, and I must change and allow my students to transform with the rest of the world. 

I commented on the following blogs:

http://lyndamarshallsblogpage.blogspot.com

http://castanosblogs.blogspot.com