Reflection: Social Constructivism & Technology

My educational learning theory is always based on student center instructions and long term results. Before taking this course, Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology, my teaching methods were based on Constructivism. Growing up as a minority in two different cultures, Korean-American, I have learned that I intake and imply knowledge differently than many of my peers. This discovery has driven me to become a teacher and learn further to help diverse students to accept who they are and become proud of their uniqueness. Constructivism supports my vision and belief of education by stating that knowledge is constructed based on each individual’s prior knowledge. Based on Constructivism I keep an open mind and use variety of teaching methods and assessment methods. I also intentionally imply students’ social, economic, and cultural background knowledge into the lessons. This allows students to feel comfortable and accepted in the learning environment, makes the lessons more effective, and provides more accurate assessment results.

I was pretty much set with Constructivism learning theory until I was introduced to Social Constructivism. Like I have stated before, my learning theory is based on student center instructions and long term results. Constructivism is definitely student centered, but I had to question, how well am I equipping my students for the long term future? We already notice that our world is getting smaller because of new methods of communication. Therefore, workers are required to work cooperatively with great communication skills. As product and services are being distributed throughout the world, no longer can one person complete ideas or work that can result in success. Diverse people cooperatively work together to create a complete products and services. Therefore, students need to be prepared for this work force.

I admit that I am an individual learner. I work more effectively when working alone. I do understand that there are students who would rather work alone. They may not be able to show their complete ability when facing social learning environment due to discomfort or lack of communication skills. However, I believe that it is crucial for students to break out of their comfort zone and build communication skills in order to face the future requirements. If they do not become efficient in working with others it may come was a tremendous disadvantage in the future. Therefore, immediately I want to implement more cooperative learning instructions. A great tool to implement cooperative learning in a useful entertaining way is using technology. I fell in love with Voice thread. My students cannot read or write yet. This technology tool does not require text writing. Students are able to record their thoughts and it will be useful for discussions and cooperative writing lessons. I would also like to implement virtual tools. We do not have enough budgets or the support to go on field trips, when pre-kindergarteners are excited and ready to learn everything. It is a great loss of their motivations if we do not provide enough field trips to stimulate their urge to learn. Virtual field trips are great alternatives to satisfy students desire to learn more about outside of the classroom life. I do see that lively virtual field trips have price but it will be more affordable than actual field trips.

My efforts to implement technology into my classroom will be through my laptop and homework, because we do not have computer in the school. Since my students are young and the funding is less then public schools, I see teachers and administrators from my facility being less willing to support the class in the use of technology. My long term goal is to emphasize the importance of technology in the classroom to my co-workers using the knowledge I acquired through Walden University. It will take providing articles and resource supporting my request for technology use in the classroom and parental support towards my claim, but I would love my effort to result in a computer in the class. This will result in more possibility of exciting and meaningful lessons.