EDLD 5364: Week 1 Readings and Video Reflection

This week’s readings gave me the opportunity to reexamine learning theories that I had read about several years ago. When I first read about these theories I was still taking basic college courses, I did not have the opportunity to apply them or really understand how they could work in a classroom setting. The assigned readings and videos have provided me with the opportunity to make connections and really understand how I have been applying Vygotsky’s Constructivism Theory in my teaching. I now recognize how using students’ prior knowledge and integrating different resources to facilitate student learning, helps every student acquire new knowledge. I could associate my teaching style more to the Constructivism Theory, because I feel that all my students can benefits from using their personal experiences to learn and really comprehend new concepts. Giving students the opportunity to practice new concepts in a variety of ways such as hands-on activities, creating power point presentations, models, participating in virtual tours, collaborating with other students, and leading group/classroom discussions helps them take ownership of their learning and make connections between their personal experiences and new knowledge.

References:

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

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