Reflection of My Personal Theory of Learning

After a thorough last seven weeks I have discovered that I was not to far off when originally defining my personal theory on learning. Originally I stated that our classrooms, as educators, are filled with students who bring very diverse needs and learning styles into our classroom structure. These learning styles are shaped through the individuals personal and educational experiences. These experiences shape the way the student interacts, learns, and responds to instruction. Dr. Patricia Wolfe describes the sculpture of the brain is constructed through experience (Laureate 2009). This idea of experience sculpting the brain puts a true emphasis on the active learner that Dr. Orey has discussed throughout this course. We, as educators, have a true responsibility within the classroom to use instructional styles that touch, allow, and push all students in the classroom to achieve the high level of learning. This is only done with a balance of instructional strategies focusing on a "active" learner in the classroom.
Creating an "active" learner within the classroom, as I have discovered, is not the only piece of the puzzle when trying to create an effective classroom. Dr. Wolfe states that making the material of instruction meaningful and relatable to the students will increase the achievement of objectives in the classroom (Laureate 2009). With the continuous increase in technology in our classrooms and in the social life of our students an educator must utilize the resources around them. Two technology tools that I hope to incorporate into my classroom is the use of VoiceThread and concept mapping tools. Using VoiceThread within the classroom will allow my students to interactively comment and receive feedback on certain topics that we will explore in my special education behavior management lab. The use of concept mapping tools will allow me to structure new topics or units in the classroom. It will also provide a wonderful outline for guided notes that will allow my special education students to follow any topic while staying on task.
Overall I hope that my classroom, in the future, is guided by the active learner. I would like to rely less on power points, that I have constructed, to guide my lessons and more on my students creation of the power points and presentation to lead the classroom. I have a goal to limit myself to providing the structure and boundaries to projects and my students to the exploration and discovery of learning in the project. In short, I hope to decrease the traditional way of providing instruction to my students by increasing the use of technology in the classroom, through use of previous stated software, and create a more independent learner by allowing my students to experience learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Brain Research and Learning [Motion Picture]. [With Dr. Patricia Wolfe]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. United States:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Instructional Theory vs. Learning Theory [Motion Picture]. [With Dr. Michael Orey]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. United States:

VoiceThread URL

Here is the VoiceThread URL:
http://voicethread.com/share/1261769/
Please view and add any comments you would like.
Ty