EDLD 5364 Week 1 Reflection

The young man, Casey, looked at the superintendent squarely in the eyes and replied, “Sir, I’m special ed, and I’ve been special ed all my life.  But with this thing here,” he said, pointing to his laptop computer, “with this, I am just as smart as the next kid.”

Quoting this student explains the effect that technology can have on student learning.  This particular student did not read so well so he used a piece of technology that would speak the words that he had written back to him through his headphones.  If it made sense when played back to him, then he knew what he wrote made sense and he could then turn it in.  If not, he returned to it and made corrections.  Instead of the teacher controlling how Casey learned, the technology allowed Casey to build upon his strengths to enable him to learn the way he knew best.  Casey now felt successful where for the prior twelve years he did not.  Technology especially supports the Cognitive Processes of Bloom’s Taxonomy by assisting students to comprehend, apply, and recall concepts (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).  We have some special needs students on our campus that utilize special equipment to help them be successful in their 1:1 classrooms.  Luckily, there are numerous modifications to existing equipment that are now available for special education students depending upon their needs.  Just because these students have difficulty utilizing the exact same piece of technology as everyone else doesn’t mean they should be excluded from using any of it.   

This week's readings also covered three different theories:  Constructivism, Connectivism and Cyborg Learning.  Constructivism theory explains how knowledge is built in the human when information comes into contact with existing knowledge that has been cultivated.  Connectivism theory is based on the principle that knowledge exists in the world rather then in the head of an individual.  The Cyborg Learning theory explains how future generations recognize and experience their universe.  It was interesting to read how people learn and how technology supports that learning.  It's interesting to see different peoples' views on utilizing social networking in the classroom, as well.  I enjoy reading different perceptions and theories on learning and how technology benefits that learning in the classroom.

References:

Abbott, J. (nd). Building Knowledge: Constructivism in Learning. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F00R3pOXzuk

Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school (Expanded edition). Ch. 9, pp. 194-218. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9853&page=206

McPheeters, D. (2009, March). Social networking technologies in education. Tech and Learning, 29(8).Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/16250

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works.  Alexandria, VA:  Association for Supervision and Curriculum

Siemens, G. (nd). The Changing Nature of Knowledge  [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg

Warwirk, K. (nd). Cyborg Life [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_l7SY_ngI