5364 - Week 1 Reflection

WEEK 1 Part 1

During week one we had many readings to sort through.

• "Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works"
• "Learning as a Personal Event: A Brief Introduction to Constructivism"
• "How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School"
• "Social Networking Technologies in Education"
• "If I Teach This Way, Am I Doing My Job: Constructivism in the Classroom"
• "Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools"

One of the best reading was the one titled "Learning as a Personal Event: A Brief Introduction to Constructivism". I liked this one because it allows students to be more involved with their learning. It shows how students in a Learner-Centered classroom benefit more and participate more in the learning. The students are going out and about to gather information instead of filling out worksheets and watching videos. the Learner-Centered classroom gives students the chance to get their hands on real situations instead of simply listening and watching.

 Another article, "How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School, pp. 194-218" continues to discuss the way students learn suing technology. this article is different and helpful because it not only talks about the good of technology, but also points out things that need to be considered when adding technology to a classroom, namely how people can use technology to learn by doing. Technology provides receive feedback, and helps students sharpen their skills while helping them learn.

Citation: 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

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). Learning as a personal event: A brief introduction to constructivism. Retrieved from http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/intro2c.html