EDUC-8845-1 Learning Theory and Educational Technology

This past week I had the opportunity to see how much changing the learning environment can affect student engagement and achievement. Our school system adopted a new reading series this year. I spent several days participating in workshops on how to implement this new series, and thought I was well prepared for the beginning of the school year. After one week of using this reading series, I knew this was not working for my students. The program only offered the option of guided instruction from a book, and written responses. My students were bored and unengaged. I knew I had to come up with another way of reaching my students.

The next day I brought laptops into my classroom. I retaught the lesson, giving each student a laptop, and a set of directions for completing a WebQuest. I was truly thrilled by how engaged each and every student in the room became. The information I was delivering didn't change, only the format in which I delivered it. My students wanted the opportunity to take control of their own learning. They wanted to become active and involved in their learning. They were not interested in sitting back and taking in only what they were told they needed to know. They became excited about learning when they had the opportunity to investigate and discover the answers on their own. I believe students learn best when they become active participants in their learning, and technology is a great tool for getting students active and involved.