Constructivism

Constructivism is a great teaching philosophy.  It takes the classroom and transitions it from a teacher centered to student centered.  The student needs to become a thinker and problem solver as they build their understanding of information.  The development of this skill is the most important task I want to teach my students.  Although their are certain items in my core area I want to them to learn and understand.  Given the choice would you want your students to be great thinkers and problem solvers but learn no content in your class or learn all the content with no problem solving skills, I would choose the first EVERY time.  Things that constructivism teaches are very important because they give students 21st century skills.  

virtual field trips

Cognitive learning theory focuses on the students ability to place information into groups.  It is very important to understand how important visual aids presented.  If at all possible bring or go to the where the object is.  What would be better talking about an archaeological dig?  We all know the answer but we cannot always do that because of money.  Money is a scarce resource even more so in these economic times.  That is why virtual field trips can be so important.

Virtual field trips are a very important tool a student can learn a whole deal.  The students will take information on this trip and place it in to their mind.  This is cognitive learning theory because students will take information and place it into one of those schema.  They will place all this information and place it together and make sure that they understand it.  Using things like graphic organizers can allow students to construct their own information and with scaffolding from the teach the students can get the information.  This will allow them to learn more productively and get the same information instead of just taking notes.

Homework and Effort

The use of technology in the classroom allows the teachers to have a great influence on students seeing how effort correlates to success and helping to do homework.  Technology allows for teachers to spend less time preforming tasks while giving students more information.  

The first I will look at how effort effects the class.  Research shows that most students do not understand the correlation between effort and success (Pitler, 2007).  Teacher can easily create excel spread sheets that show different effort charts.  Teachers then can make bar graphs that show test grades and effort.  This relates that to behavioral method because student easily see things happen right away.  They see how much effort they give and what grade they receive.  

Homework and practice is a very important for student success.  Students need homework that helps reinforce information that was taught earlier (Pitler, 2007).  Homework should not be just work to do at home but have purpose.  A teacher must be able to answer the question "why do I have to do this?"  If the answer is just because the homework is not worth giving.  It needs to make sense and help the students perform a task. 

It is important that teachers use technology to help them gather data.  It makes it very quick to do and students can see results very quickly.  Giving quick response is crucial to success. 

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Hunting Season

I am really looking forward to this hunting season.  I have been drawn for three waterfowl hunts and have some really good deer on camera. I am just looking forward to a day in the field to reflect on my teaching, life and to enjoy nature.  Hopefully I will also get something to fill my plate at home too.  Any hunter let me know if you are looking forward to this as well?