Cognitivism in Practice

As we continue to explore the Cognitive Learning Theory, it is important to understand how students process information.  We know that the way that students remember information occurs in three stages:  sensory input, short-term memory and long-term memory.  As teachers, we want to create learning experiences and utilize learning tools, so that students are able to store the information that we present to them into their long-term memory.  Dr. Orey discusses about the three types of long-term memory: declarative, procedural and episodic.  With this knowledge we need to ensure that student learning experiences target one of these threee types of long-term memory in order for them to recall the information.

One of the ways that we can do this is through the use of cognitive tools.  We have been exploring concept mapping, graphic organizers, summarizing and notetaking to assist students with organizing new information.  We know that students better handle new types of information when exposed to thie information in both auditory and visual formats.  Providing students with a tool to help them truly understand the material that is being presented in the classroom certainly allows us to do a better job and for students to truly gain an understanding. 

When applying the use of these instructional strategies in the classroom as well as in comparison to the Cognitive Learning Theory, they certainly play a large role in the classroom.  The use of these types of strategies in the classroom have been used for many years, the major difference now is that we're doing them using technology and even allowing students to complete their own concept maps using their own computer and software.  The benefit to this is that with concept mapping students begin with a main idea and are able to sift through and add relevant information to thier map.  Additionally, each student has a different perception of a particular concept.  With that being said, having students create their own concept maps allows them to place the information within the map in a way that is most beneficial for them.  Finally, the use of these new strategies allows students to make connections and generalizations regarding the content through a concept map, graphic organizer or notes that they take in the classroom.     

Behaviorism in Our Classrooms

Behaviorism is inevitable, especially in the classroom.  Many may consider the concept of behaviorism to be something of the past in regards to the idea of either rewarding or punishing students for their behaviors.  However, it is something that will continue to be evident in our classrooms, as Dr. Orey shares that it serves as a means for behavior management.  We need the behavior management in our classrooms to ensure the appropriate learning environment for all students.  Additionally, we naturally reinforce positive behaviors in our classroom, as we want students to do the right thing as it allows us to do our job and allows students to learn. 

As a Physical Education Teacher, I feel that I am constantly reinforcing effort with my students.  In relationship to behaviorism I have implemented motivational strategies such the golden sneaker award, star students and even student helpers as a means of keeping students on track and engaged.  In terms of the use of technology, I have an interactive white board attached to my cart in the gym and students do have the opportunity to utilize to interact with the technology, provided they are demonstrating classroom expectations.  The use of the technology also serves as a means of reinforcing effort because students enjoy interacting with the technology.

 In terms of homework and practice, I do not give homework.  However, I do provide multiple practice opportunities during instructional periods.  “Having students practice a skill or concept enhances their ability to reach the expected level of proficiency” (Stifler, p. 188).  Through my instruction and assessment, I have found that the more that students have the opportunity to practice, the better they become with a given skill or concept.  Additionally, while practicing, students are provided with choices from the equipment that they use, the pace at which they work and the group that they work within.  This closely related to behaviorism as these choices provide students with opportunities for success.  When students are successful, they feel positive reinforcement because they have been successful.  There have been multiple times where they are so excited that they show me what they have learned, further providing them with positive reinforcement for their efforts and correct practice of a given skill or concept.

Overall, we know that behaviorism is an idea that we will continue to see in our classrooms.  It is an essential part of what we do, as we want our students to do well and to learn as much as they possibly can. 

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

Reflection

Over the last seven weeks I have gained an immense amount of information that has completely changed the way that I approach my teaching in all aspects.  I gained the knowledge and use of tools that I never would have imagined possible in a Physical Education classroom.  Additionally, I have discovered that thinking outside of the box is much easier than I once considered and in the end it is going to make me a better teacher and my students will be more engaged and motivated to learn.

As a professional teacher, I have learned how to create my own blog, respond to others’ blogs, contribute to a wiki and make my own podcast.  Through my exploration and experience with these technology tools throughout this course, I have quickly realized their value and place in today’s classroom.  When I originally started this course, I felt overwhelmed about the idea of using blogs, wikis and podcasts, especially when it came to creating my own.  The overwhelming feeling quickly went away as I began working with these tools when I realized how simple and valuable their use was.  Having had the opportunity to use these tools has helped me to have a wider range of tools in my technology toolbox, specifically when I think about addressing the needs of my students.  Furthermore, the use of these technology tools could potentially be the hook that my students need for a higher level of motivation for learning.  Through the use of these tools in both my learning and eventually in my teaching, I have an increased knowledge for teaching and learning.  I have quickly realized the value in being a facilitator of learning and allowing students to guide their own their learning.  I think that there is a higher level of motivation for student learning when they have a choice and are able to relate to their learning. 

Obviously, I have changed my perspective on being teacher centered to student centered in my classroom.  There has been a gradual shift within my school district in regards to this.  Instruction is to be data driven, therefore based on student need or student centered.  Through the duration of this course we have heard several different resources share the benefit of instruction and learning being student centered.  I firmly believe that student centered instruction creates a higher motivation for learning and allows students to develop skills that are necessary for the 21^st century job market.  Students are now more able to know where to find specific information and how to use it appropriately.  Additionally, they are developing skills such as leadership and teamwork by guiding their own learning. 

With a focus on student centered learning, there also comes the topic of continuing to work to increase my knowledge for learning and increasing student achievement.  I am planning on developing ways to integrate tools such as blogs and wikis into my Physical Education classroom.  I often find myself struggling with this concept because it is an activity based curriculum and unfortunately due to circumstances well beyond my control, students need as much physical activity time as possible.  However, that does not mean that I cannot continue to work to build my own knowledge base to increase student achievement and motivation for learning.  Additionally, I continue to attend professional development workshops that address the use of technology to support instruction.  Finally I am planning on implementing the skills and strategies that I am learning through my participation in this program.

I recognize that through my learning, the only way to become more effective is to implement the strategies and skills that I am learning.  I have two goals that I am working towards, that I would like to accomplish within the next two years.  The first goal is to implement the use of daily blogging about student learning in my classroom and the other would be for each student to complete a minimum of sixty minutes of physical activity each day.  Both of these goals are going to require finding the time and holding students accountable for documenting their learning as well as completing their physical activity minutes.  While it would be nice to have the time to take students to the computer lab to blog about their learning during the school day, most likely the time for that will not be found during the school day.  Instead, it will become a homework assignment.  Students will be given a window in which they need to post to their blogs.  Additionally, if students do not have computer and internet access at home, there has to be an opportunity for them to complete their assignment at some point during the school day.  The purpose of the blog would be for students to share and provide insight about their learning, but also an opportunity to share the various activities that they are doing to meet their sixty minutes of physical activity.  The blog would provide an opportunity for students to learn from each other and to share their perspective on their learning.  Finally, it would serve as a learning tool for myself as a teacher as well.  Through the blog postings students would be providing me with items that I would have never considered before when teaching.  It would also provide a unique opportunity for reflection because I would be able to see the impact of my instruction on my students.

Finally, when I referred back to my self assessment checklist, I have discovered that many of my answers to the questions have changed.  For example, I have discovered the value of collaboration and realizing the importance of providing students with the opportunity to understand how their learning relates to their own personal lives.  As I reflect on my current teaching practices, it is my goal to guide students down that path each and every day.  Overall, I want my students to take away something new and exciting each time that they leave my classroom and it is my job to make sure that it happens. 

Today's Students

Hello!  Below you will find my podcast discussing my students and their use of technology outside of the classroom.  Enjoy!

21st Century Skills - How can we prepare our students for their real world?

As educators, we understand that society is always changing, therefore the way that we teach and reach our students is constantly changing as well.  When asked to take the opportunity to peruse The Partnership for 21st Century Skills  it was interesting how much our students need to know and be able to do by the time they graduate high school.  The question is: who is responsible for teaching them and how can we ensure that they are being taught all that they need to know?

I found this website to be a valuable resource as it provides a foundation for the essential skills that our students will need to be productive citizens after their completion of high school.  While many may think that these skills are a bit outrageous in the fact that it may most likely be assumed that students will learn these skills in a school setting, I find it interesting at the variety of skills that are listed for our students to be successful in the working 21st Century.  The one area that I find most interesting and eye opening is the wide array of life and career skills, with attention to Productivity and Accountability.  I find this area intriguing as I do not feel that the education system holds other factors involved in the education process accountable other than teachers and administrators.  The factors that I am referring to are parents and students.  For example, in my school district schools that are not making the appropriate amount of progress on high stake standards provide families with the option of a school choice.  As if to say, we are not doing our jobs as educators and you now may choose the school that your child may attend because of our short comings.  However, the reality is in order for us to be successful with our students we need the support from the home as well.  We need parents to ensure that students are completing homework and that they are coming to school prepared to learn.  When do parents begin to be held accountable for their student's progress as we are as educators?

Many could or would argue that quite possibly all of these skills are not necessary for students to have by the time that they graduate high school.  However, I am in support of these skills as they are skills that many of us learned throughout our years and have had experience with through various opportunities.  I believe that the website above has done an excellent job of identifying those skills and breaking them out into categories to show how they fit within the different areas of our lives.  I never once thought that we would need a large knowledge base of ICT Literacy, but with the continuous advances in technology it has become apparent why we need to this form of literacy.

Through the exploration of this website, I have realized how imperative it is that we begin to address these skills with our students in elementary school all the way through their educational careers.  It is a large challenge, but just as the skills of the 21st Century have shown us we have to be creative in our thinking just as we need to teach our students to do so as well.  It will also be a challenge for students to understand the various tasks and challenges that will come with teaching 21st Century skills, but with careful thought and creativity it can be done.  It will take more time, which is not something we have a plethora of, but these skills can be integrated into our curriculum through more project based learning and less test types of assessments.

Blogs? In Physical Education - Yes!

I teach Elementary School Physical Education and the use of a blog in this type of setting might be a crazy idea, but I believe that it will serve a vital role.  


The use of a blog in my setting would serve as a means to update my school community on the latest happenings in my Physical Education Classroom.  It would be a place to share our current unit, vocabulary and skills that students are practicing in class.  Additionally, it would serve as a resource to families for items such a fitness calendars, nutrition information and ideas for families to be physically active, together.  My blog would also serve as a place where additional information and resources would be posted about the current unit of instruction, so that students can access the information outside of the classroom.  Finally, I do not typically assign homework or expect student to practice skills outside of the classroom, but it would serve as a place to post ideas for extra practice and video references for student use.


I excited to continue my exploration of the use of blogs in the Physical Education Classroom and welcome any ideas and suggestions on how it could support instruction! 

 

Blogging - A New Experience

Hello!  I have created this blog to share and hopefully network with other Physical Education Teachers on the use of technology in the Physical Education classroom.  I am currently in my 5th year of teaching elementary school PE and my school system has a large focus on utilizing technology as a means to enhance student learning.  When the opportunity knocked, I jumped right on board.  In my classroom, I currently use various forms of technology, but most specifically a cart with a LCD projector, computer, interactive white board, a student response system (ActiVotes) and gaming systems.  


I am excited to see where this blogging experience will take me!  I have not used blogs that much, but from the ones that I have perused over the last few weeks, I am curious to see how all of it turns out.