Reflection of Learning Styles and Theories

At the beginning of my graduate course, Bridging Learning Theory and Instruction, I reflected on my own personal learning theories for my students. I was introduced to the idea that students learn through the brain being sculpted through experiences (Laureate, 2009) and I also felt that students could benefit more from lessons that provide the tools and skills that bring meaningful experiences to their learning. Through this course I have discovered how to create these meaningful experiences within my teaching. I have been shown the tools and different technology to bring learning for my students to life.

As a tutor and consultant teacher, I have a variety of students for varying amounts of time. In the time that we work together, I try to discover their interests and relate lesson to them so that the knowledge and information can become meaningful and they can make connections between the information they are learning and what they already know. From this course, I have learned to power of technology for my current teaching position. “Teachers who have brought technology into their classrooms are aware it provides an opportunity to differentiate instruction and change their classrooms into dynamic learning environments” (Duffy & McDonald, 2008, p. 2) and using technology within my teaching field can truly enhance student’s skills and understanding of lessons. I would really like to being creating a wikispace for students to use when we are not working together directly. It would be a place where students would find interactive worksheets and games to use to enhance their skills. I feel this would be a great way to create a source for students to use on their own and use the skills that we have worked on together and apply them in a different setting to the different activities found on the wikispace.

One long term goal that I have for my teaching is to find more ways to use the new technology that I have been introduced to. Virtual Field trips can be a great way students to see a topic we are working on in a different way and provide more knowledge to students. Using concepts maps can be a way for students and I to organize information on topics and see the relationships between them. These technology tools and others, I think, will really help to reinforce learning and information to students. Another long term goal that I have is to continue to expand my own knowledge base as a professional. There are many opportunities to attend seminars and lectures that I have not taken the time to attend and I feel these would provide more information and ideas to bring to my teaching as well.


Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction,
and technology. Baltimore: Author

Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations (Laureate Education, Inc.,
custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

My First VoiceThread

I was also recently introduced to VoiceThread and the many ways it can be used with teaching. I created my first VoiceThread last night. Here is the link to listen to it:
http://voicethread.com/#u747302.b895880

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative Learning is one way for students to learn in the classroom not only through a teacher- student focus but through student to student interactions. It is learning that allows students to begin working with each other, sharing knowledge and working towards a common goal. There are many times that I have used cooperative learning in my teaching whether it is quick, “Think Pair Share” where students take a minute to think of what the question asked means to them and then share it with a partner, or in a larger scale with partner or group projects. I think that cooperative learning is great way for student to share knowledge on a level that may be more meaningful to them and broken down in a way that they will understand and retain the information.

"Cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski, 2007, p. 139). Cooperative Learning can take place within the classroom and with the introduction of new technology tools such as blogs and wikis, students can collaboratively work together to create an informational data base that can be used in many different schools across that nation and across the world. Allowing students to become engaged with one another and having a true hand in their learning helps to expand students’ knowledge base and truly benefit from their learning and experiences.

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