Psychological Perspectives on Technology and Learning

According to Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell (2008) there are 4 major domains of learning:

1. Cognitive—Verbal/Visual (memorization of info); Intellectual Skills (requires application of critical thinking and the manipulation of info).
2. Affective—Attitudes, feelings, and values.
3. Motor Skill—Athletic, physical, and manual skills.
4. Interpersonal—Ability to relate with other people.

Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell (2008) stated “how teachers view the role of technology and media in the classroom depends very much on their beliefs about how people learn” (p. 10).
There are 4 psychological perspectives on learning:

1. Behaviorists—(Skinner) believe that reinforcing, or rewarding desired responses, could shape behavior.
2. Cognitivists—(Piaget) believe in short and long term memory. New info is short term until it is rehearsed enough to become long term.
3. Constructivists—believe that students create their own interpretations of the world of information, thus learn by doing.
4. Social-Psychologists—(Slavin) focuses on group structure of the class—small group collaboration, independent study, whole class.

If a classroom is teacher-centered, technology is used to present information to the students. If the classroom is student-centered, then the students use technology and media to do projects and process information. I believe that a good classroom teacher uses technology to present instruction and allows students to use technology to learn. Students should have hands-on experience with the computer and be familiar with smart boards, printers, and the Internet.

Reflection:
There are parts about all 4 psychological perspectives that I consider when teaching my students. I am a behaviorist when I reward exceptional behavior. I am a cognitivist when I use drill and practice exercises to help the students memorize note value. I am a constructivist when I allow my students to compose their own song and play it on an instrument of choice. I am a social-psychologist when I incorporate cooperative learning in my class.

What is your psychological perspective on learning?

Smaldino, S., Lowther, D., & Russell, J. (2008). Instructional technology and media for learning.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Reflection: Technology: Changing Teaching and Learning

Students today take technology for granted because they are born in a generation that has technology at their fingertips 24 hours a day. In the 1950’s and 1960’s computers in the classroom was unheard of. In 1977 Personal Computers; the first microcomputer, the Apple, was created by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. In the 1980’s (CAI) Computer-assisted instruction on personal computers reached its peak of popularity. Technology took another leap in 1991-through the World Wide Web- The Internet became accessible to all with the creation of the Web by Tim Berners-Lee; Again in 2003 Technology leaped and brought about the Mobile Devices; Cell phones, hybrids, PDAs, and tablet PCs joined with wireless networking to make mobile computing commonplace everywhere, including in the classroom; Technology is still growing in 2008 and beyond; Online life and the Grid. The Grid uses distributed computing Technology. The Grid will make it possible to dynamically pool and share computer resources, making unprecedented computing power available to everyone on the Grid. Duffy, J,. & McDonald, J (2007).

History of Educational Technology; www.aect.org/About/History/.
Duffy, J,. & McDonald, J,.(2007). Teaching and Learning with Technology
www.mylabschool.com

What's All the Hype?

Classrooms are multimedia worlds, full of complex images, movement, and sound. The media we use to communicate information to students could be still picture cards, CD recordings, video clips, power points, or text to name a few. According to Roblyer (2006), hypermedia refers to linked media or interactive media that are stored in different places but are logically connected with hypertext links. Hypermedia systems come in a variety of storage devices: IVDs (interactive video discs), CD-ROMS (compact disc-read-only memory), DVDs (digital versatile discs), and other technologies. There are even Internet multimedia formats available. Roblyer (2006) gives the example of searching the word "apple" and getting all sorts of logically related links from Johnny Appleseed to the Garden of Eden. Hypermedia offers students "multiple channels through which to process information" (Roblyer, 2006, p. 188).

Reflection:
When we allow our students to get online, we have to be careful that their searches are kid-friendly. A simple search for "bunny" may end up in nudity at the Playboy Mansion. I want my students to gain confidence in using the internet because it really does save time in the classroom. The reliance on hypertext and hypermedia to communicate information seems to get greater each school year. I see a need to incorporate more computer based technology into my classroom. When I come to a close of another school year, I have all these great ideas about what multimedia or hypermedia products I want to use next year. Yet, I still feel a little behind times. I need to solve this problem by taking multiple perspectives and adopt an experimental and problem-solving orientation to educational issues in technology. Can't never could. It's time I become a leader in instructional technology so I can teach my students how to use all the wonderful hypermedia products. It's hard to believe that elementary students know how to develop hypermedia products and some teachers do not.

Do you use hypermedia products in your classroom?

Roblyer, M. (2006). Integrating educational technology into teaching. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Technology in Schools: Changing Teaching and Learning

Mike Smith, Superintendent of the Forney Independent School District in Forney Texas, had a shortage of textbooks due to the rapid growth of the his school district and the time lapse between the number of textbooks that can be ordered based on the previous year’s enrollment and current enrollments. It has caused a significant period of time to elapse with a percentage of students left without textbooks. To solve this problem Smith’s school district combined the advantages of the wireless laptop with the adoption of e-book. The first group of students to benefit was the fifth and sixth graders at Johnson Elementary School. Each one received an IBM ThinkPad loaded with digital versions of textbooks and other works of literature. Smith stated, “ThinkPad made learning more exciting for the students, motivated the students to learn, and solved the lack of textbooks, it’s a system we need to explore. These are digital kids, use to multitasking and accustomed to the electronic world.” Garton, N (2003).

Garton, N (2003). Students turn on their computers to read classics. Retrieved April 23, 2009, from www.tennessean.com/edicatopm/arcjoves/03/07/35886253.shtml

Laptops replace textbooks at Johnson Elementary School. (2004). Retrieved April 26, 2009, from http://fprmeu/edmet10.net//prod_site/announcement_announcementelectronictext.

How to Create a Wiki

Use Media Wiki (www.mediawiki.org), free public-use software for servers to create wiki spaces, schools can create private or public wiki web sites for use in the classroom. This unique software and its resultant online collaborative space offer infinite possibilities in the hands of creative teachers.

What is a Wiki?

Wiki is an adaptation of the Hawaiian term for fast. Originally created for fast collaboration and communication via the Web among programmers, a wiki site is a web site that content is written collaboratively so that anyone with a computer and Internet access can edit and add to the information provided. A wiki is a free collection of information that anyone can edit.
One of the largest wikis, the Wikipedia, is published by the Wikimedia Foundation along with its sister wiki web sites, with Wikitionary, Wikibooks, Wikinews, and Wikiquote among the most popular. Wikipedia is not a forum for personal opinion, as is a blog, but is a collaboratively developed encyclopedia of information. Wikipedia articles offer links, cross references, and citations contributed by people that are interested in that topic.
In education, wikis provides a space for brainstorming and collaborative writing. They offer an online, easily accessible area for debates, group projects, and shared resources. Teachers can have students author and edit articles on assigned topics or provide space for the creation of a collaborative booklet on a topic of interest. (Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2007).

Tips for Teachers

Protecting Privacy

Once technology is made available to students, it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that it is used appropriately. Teachers oversee how students use textbooks and other media, they also should be sure the access to and use of technology is consistent with the appropriate academic behaviors expected in the classroom.
Checklist for ways teachers can protect their students’ privacy:
v Don’t place confidential data or commentary on any unsecured electronic equipment.
v Guard your log in names and passwords.
v Secure storage devices (floppies, CD-RWs and USB drives) in places where they are not obtainable by people unauthorized to view their contents.
v Don’t leave hard copy of assessments, evaluations, and reports of student behavior and achievement on printer trays in common areas.
v Once used, file privileged information, whether on storage devices or on hard copy, in secured spaces or of no longer needed, shred it (preferably with a crosscut shredder).
v Follow school district policies and procedures in place to guard students’ privacy
v Guard photographs of students as well as text,
v Become aware of classroom and district software that offers parents access to their children’s progress by password in read only format.

Duffy, J,. & McDonald, J,. (2007). Teaching and Learning with Technology Pearson
www.mylabschool.com

Children Privacy online

There is so much concern over children’s privacy, especially while online, the Federal Trade Commission has set up an informational web site that provides information to children, parents, and teachers.
www.ftc.gov/kidzprivacy Every educator should read this source of significant information and resources and should be explored fully by every educator.

Legal Issues in the Digital Age

Implementation of technology, whether in the classroom, school, or district, involves a number of legal issues. Some of these issues, such as copyright violations, were of concern in education before the arrival of technology. Technology implementation and the ease of accessing and incorporating digital data, including copyrighted text, graphics, video, and audio, exacerbated the problem other issues, such as the inequity of access to technology, sometimes called the digital divide, have come about because of technology. Other important areas include ethical question. Each of these issues affects how technology is ultimately implemented at all levels of an educational institution, from the classroom to the entire district. Teachers should be aware of implantation issues and act accordingly with professional ethics.

Duffy, J,. & McDonald, J,. (2007). Teaching and Learning with Technology Pearson
www.mylabschool.com

Do You Believe?

PODCASTING

A great way to introduce yourself to your online students is by podcasting. Podcasts are like web-based radio broadcasts that you can play over and over again. It's a good way to introduce a course and let the students know what is expected of them.

To do a podcast, go to audacity.sourceforge.net to record audio, edit the sound file, add music, and export the file. All you have to do next is upload your file to a website.

What do you think are advantages or disadvantages of podcasting?

VIDEO

Do you need a good pick-me-up? Here is a great speech given by...a kid. Just what do kids expect from their teachers? Listen up as young Dalton Sherman tells all.

http://www.schooltube.com/video/10112/Do-You-Believe-Dalton-Sherman

Reflection: So many times I am guilty of giving out information all day and never taking the time to reflect on my teaching practice. It always seems like there's so much to do...lesson plans, faculty meetings, bus duty, grading, after-school, and teaching. I have found that sometimes the teachable moments come when my students teach me. I learn so much from the diverse students that I have. I learn about caring, and empathy. I am reminded that we are all people working toward a common goal. Please watch the video and let me know what you think.

R U Sure U Wanna B a Teacher?

After being interviewed by the school administration, the teaching prospect said, "Let me see if I've got this right: You want me to... go into that room with all those kids,

1. correct their disruptive behavior,
2. observe them for signs of abuse,
3. monitor their dress habits,
4. censor their T-shirt messages,
5. and instill in them a love for learning. You want me to..
6. check their backpacks for weapons,
7. wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and
8. raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride. You want me to....
9. teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and
10. how to register to vote,
11. balance a checkbook, and
12. apply for a job. You want me to
13. check their heads for lice,
14. recognize signs of anti-social behavior, and
15. make sure that they all pass the state exams. You also want me to
16. provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and
17. communicate regularly with their parents in English and Spanish by letter, telephone, conferences, email, homework hotline, web page, midterm newsletters, and report card.

You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps. You want me to do all this and then you tell me...... "I CAN'T PRAY?" Are you nuts!?"

~Anonymous, circulating email

When I reflect on what it means to be a teacher, I often wonder if I'm really the best qualified person for the job. I work in the lowest paying county in the state of VA. Am I getting paid enough to do all of the things on the above mentioned list? Not really. I think I have reached the point in my career where it's not all about the money. Believe it or not, I love my job. I enjoy working in my rural community and helping students who truly are needy. Teaching has become rewarding to me, beyond my paycheck. I'm not sure I could ever leave the traditional classroom and become an online teacher. Who knows, though, until I give it a chance?

Comment and tell us what you think! How could the list be revised if you were an online teacher?

Distance Learning and Learner Attitudes

Has there been an increase in learner achievement due to distance learning opportunities and has distance learning changed learner attitudes? Explain.

I took my first computer class in 1989, when I was a senior in high school. Printing a document with no typos was a huge success for me. If I didn’t understand something, I felt it was the teacher’s responsibility to help me understand better. Hey, computer technology was a new thing to the class of ’89!

10 years later, in 1999, I took my first telecommunications distance learning class. It was an interactive 2-way video and 2-way audio music research and bibliography class. Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell (2008) explain how this is achieved by equipping both the sending and receiving sites with cameras and microphones, which are interconnected by some means of 2-way transmission, which in my case was satellite. Since the class was live and I couldn’t go back and watch a video recording of my class, I took notes like a wild woman. I was only able to ask my professor questions and get immediate feedback on class night. I continued to take several distance classes, and appreciated the opportunity to develop my music career at night without interfering with my day job. Although expensive, I jumped at the chance to get graduate university credits while attending a local community college.

Now in 2009, here I am working on my first online Masters degree! When I thought it would be impossible to go back to school, the internet has made higher education a reality for me. At last, the internet is as common as the cell phone or television as a means of communication. It has certainly surpassed snail mail. According to Wegner, Holloway, & Garton (1999), the practice of using the internet to deliver coursework in higher education is sweeping the nation, and I can see why. Wegner, Holloway, & Garton (1999) establish that “computer-based instruction facilitates learning how-to-learn skills such as collaboration, problem solving, locating and using information, and communication skills” (p. 104). I have learned to be self-disciplined during my internet classes. The classes are fast-paced, and to stay on top of the game I have to stay caught up on my class readings. I have to allow time for technical difficulties. What if there is a storm and the internet is down? I’ve learned that I can’t wait until the last minute to turn in my assignments. Timeliness is important in distance education. Appropriate communication skills are a must. I gain a lot from the discussion boards, seminar, and email correspondence with classmates and professors. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve grown up since my college days, or if it’s because the price of tuition has sky rocketed and I want to get my money’s worth out of the classes, or if it’s simply because I want to know more, but there has definitely been an increase in my learning achievement after enrolling in online classes. My attitude about internet degrees has changed significantly after enrolling at Kaplan. Who would have thought quality education was available via the internet?

Question: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? As a student again? Facilitator of online instruction? Or telling your students about the olden days of early internet-based instruction?

Question: What has been your biggest challenge while working on an online degree?

Smaldino, S., Lowther, D., & Russell, J. (2008). Instructional technology and media for learning. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Wegner, S., Holloway, K., & Garton, E. (1999). The effect of internet-based instruction on
student learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 3(2), 98-106.

Why Blog?

According to Montclair State University, a weblog is a journal that is available on the web, blogging is the process of updating a blog, and a blogger is someone who keeps a blog. Am I the only one living in the 21st Century who did not know these tech terms until about a month ago?!? In other words, a blog is a website, where material is updated on a regular basis. Just like email, new items show up at the top. Readers may log in to the blog and leave comments, emails, or link to it.

The use of blogs in education is unlimited. Montclair State University listed the following pluses for students using blogs in courses:

· Reflective writing/Journals
· Organizing content/knowledge
· Submitting assignments
· Sharing course related links
· Chatting among collaborative groups

Question: How could you use blogging with your students? Come on! Be creative!

Smaldino, S., Lowther, D., & Russell, J. (2008). Instructional technology and media for learning.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

What is a blog? Retrieved April 3, 2009, from Montclair State University’s Office of Technology
Website: http://oit.montclair.edu/

Reflection:
I think having an online journal, such as a blog, would be a great way to reflect on the day's lessons. I need to do more reflection in order to become a more effective teacher. You know the usual routine....hurry to complete a lesson plan, rush to send it to your administrator on time, scramble to find all the materials you need (with no budget), and finally teach the lesson. I am guilty of just rushing on to the next lesson. I think blogging would be one way I could pause for a moment to make sure I am using best teaching practices and effective classroom management.