Digital Badge #C

After reading chapter 3 of the required textbook, I have been furthered educated in the field of education and technology as one.  Technology is a powerful advocate when it comes to transforming the way we learn and teach.  As we continue on this journey to understand and accept technology in all professions, we become further educated on what it takes to make technology a success in the workforce.  The Map above demonstrates the four learning theories that educators tend to follow when trying to educate ALL students.  Those four learning theories are, Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, and Constructionsim.  These four learning theories are the subjects I chose to elaborate on.
To begin with, according to the textbook, Behaviorism is a learning theory that states that learning is a set of changes in human behavior created as a response to events in the environment. In other words, this is the old school way of learning.  I believe that the majority of schools have used this type of learning theory since the beginning of time.  Simply put, the teacher or computer is the only source of knowledge.  In this case, the learner hopes to gain knowledge and feedback by what the teacher or computer has to show. Repetition, demonstrating, and memorizing is encouraged in this type of lesson plan.  An example of this theory in a school setting would be when students go to a computer lab and follow along with the teacher up front.  But this is only one way that students can learn.
Another form of learning is called the Cognitivism learning theory.  In this theory, learning strategies such as memory, motivation, and perception are strongly encouraged.  In other words, the leaner is encouraged to use outside sources and previous education to make sense of what is being taught.  In this type of learning theory, the learners needs and differences are highly considered.  This active learning style allows the learner to learn at their cognitive pace and broaden their overall education.  Also, in this theory, the teacher is now more of a partner or coach, rather than the primary source.
Another learning theory is known as the Constructivism Theory.  In this theory the learner is comfortable and accommodated to construct their own reality.  These types of learners can be noticed by the approaches they take when given an assignment.  Using technology with these types of learners allows them to respond and stress as much as they want.  The computer activities allows them to create and respond to their own work. An example of these learners could be said to be those who are in to computer games; especially when allowed to construct a world of their own.
The last learning theory mentioned in the book and seen in the map above is the Constructionism theory.  Much like the theories mentioned above, this type of theory is focuses on the learner that can create and build off the knowledge already in existence.  But in this theory, in particular, the learner is self empowered to continue constructing their own ideas and thus influence others to continue on that idea.  In other words, if the ideas of that of a teacher are different from that of the learner, then maybe the learner can construct their own interpretation and create a new way of seeing the lesson.  This is a positive reinforcement for both teachers and learners because now a different process of learning is introduced and positive views are constructed as well.

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Badge #B

The cartoon above illustrates a good point to Chapter 2: Understanding Educational Technology and Trends. Johnny was using his device to record the lesson plan that the professor was conducting.  After assuming that Johnny was only playing with his phone, he realizes that Johnny was actually using his device for a greater purpose.  Like the book mentions, its safe to assume that the professor in this cartoon falls in to the category of people who lag behind any change.  Not only does he not think about reaching out to the kids in different ways, but he sticks to what he knows and conducts his lesson plan the old fashion way; through the chalkboard. This all leads up to the three topics that I want to further discuss about on Chapter 2.
The first topic I wanted to talk about was when the book mentioned how technology offers students diverse learning experiences.  At first, I didn't understand how that could be possible but it truly can motivate disengaged individuals.  All large amount of students can not learn through the traditional time-established educational routine where the students sit in rows, the teacher talks, and the students write.  As technology progresses and students ability to use technology enhances, the traditional system begins to feel like a sink or swim system.  Technology in the classroom can definitely help make communication with "all" students possible.
The other topic I wanted to elaborate on is how web 2.0 tools can definitely enhance the identity of being an all around close-to-perfect teacher.  As a teacher, they are constantly learning new things.  Constantly learning new things can become overwhelming and sometimes feel like things are not organized.  Learning these tools can be essential to a teacher.  It can help create and enhance the ongoing ideas and lesson plans that come with the daily routine of a teacher.  Like the web 2.0 tools that this course is exposing us too, they can seem intimidating at first, but they truly help you stay on top of things in this pro technology world.  Technology supports both the instructional and administrative/professional work of teaching.
The last topic I wanted to discuss on was how in every organization there are small number of innovators, a large majority of followers, and a small number who lag behind any change.  As mentioned before, the cartoon illustrates someone, the professor, that has not made a change to the technology world.  As a future teacher, I too must begin transitioning from what I am comfortable with and into the world that the young generation has grown to understand.  The book makes a great valid point; it is the tech-savvy students versus the tech-resistant teachers.  It may seem that I am over exaggerating on this topic, but a large amount of students are becoming more aware of how things work and function because of technology.  That only means that it is time for teachers to catch up and challenge the young minds in the areas that they are comfortable with.  This is easier said than done though.  Although using technology is a great way to reach out to students, teachers are still finding it difficult to take what they know about technology and incorporating it in a classroom.  


Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Badge #A- Chapter 1

     After reading the first chapter in our textbook I immediately reflected on the idea of how bias I was about the correlation between technology and students.  I am someone who considers technology to be something of a distraction or irrelevant to a student's full learning capacity.  But after reading about how technologies varies dramatically by race and family income, I found out that my perspective of technology, and their use in and out of classrooms, was constructed primarily out of my social upbringing.  According to the textbook, most African American, Hispanic, and low income youngsters are less likely to have access to the latest technologies.  With that said, I fall in to that category being Hispanic and growing up in a low income family. The only access to a computer that I had was at my school or at my public library. But even though I had very limited access to a computer, I found it exciting and relieving to do homework with the assistance of technology.
     Speaking of "assistance," another section of the book that I wanted to reflect on is how we now have 21st century learners and therefore we should be teaching them with 21st century technologies.  As much as teachers, or potential, teachers want to stick with the basics of creating a lesson plan, we have to come to grasp that technology can help us enhance our ideas.  An example that I came up with was having the students use tablets to read books.  With the use of a tablet, the teacher can have students digitally highlight sentences that they don't understand and go back to it at the end of class.  Or, another example, the students can read books on their tablets and when they come across words they don't comprehend, they could immediately look it up; via internet.  This, overall, not only enhances a lesson plan, but in turn it still gives the teacher the ability to do their job and not feel like technology is doing everything.
     My final reflection comes from the idea of having a "Digital Identity."  In this 21st century,  your identity with technology will get you very far in the working force.  I believe this to be true because in every job application that requires a higher institute of learning, alongside of that comes the section if whether or not you have any experience working with technology.  In this day of age I do believe creating a digital identity is very crucial; especially if you want to become a teacher.  With this adopted identity, more teachers can build stronger relationships with students in and out of the classroom.  Also, and more importantly, having the knowledge of varies technologies will benefit the students and therefore prepare them for the future.
     In conclusion, there may be others who can relate to what I have reflected on, and there may be those who completely disagree with me.  But the point of the matter is that I have come to accept that technology will always be here and that it'll continue to grow.  Also, it can really benefit us to learn all that we can about it so that we could set great examples for the next generation of educators.  Overall, becoming a teacher in this 21st century looks and sounds quite overwhelming, but at the end of it all, I believe it'll be worth it.


Resoueces Textbook - Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.


Incorporating an ipod to the lesson plan!