I have been looking forward to the lessons in the Teaching with Technology class. As I began reading from the week 1 reading list, I realized that I would finally be able to start connecting the dots on the information we have been learning up to this point. Over the past year I have been introduced to a variety of technology and now I will be able to answer the question, "what difference does it make which tools and resources a teacher employs in the effort" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p2).
As an adult training facilitator I have been taught from the beginning of my training experience to utilize Powerpoint slides to reinforce my material. Seldom was I able to utilize other forms of technology other than a video in my trainings. Instead of the technology being added after the fact, I am excited to learn how to seemlessly integrate technology that reinforces the learning into the training as it is being created.
I have also discovered during my reading, that I appear to have a constructivism training style. I believe that adult learners should take responsibility for their own learning and as a facilitator it is important for me to let the groups learn about and utilize experiences within the group. They can then use this collaborative information/experience to resolve issues or even come up with alternative ideas. Spraugue and Dede (1999) explain that "constructivist teachers encourage student inquiry by asking thoughtful open-ended questions and encouraging students to ask question sof each other" (p8). Based on the readings and interaction with other teachers, this learner-centered teaching style is important for younger students to practice in order to prepare them for the workplace. The constructivism theory actually assisted me in linking the K-12 methods I have learned about over the past year to the adult training practices I am more accustomed to experiencing.
Sources:
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E, Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Sprague, D. & Dede, C. (1999). If I teach this way, am I doing my job: Constructivism in the classroom. Leading and learning, 27(1). Retrieved February 22, 2011 from http://imet.csus.edu/imet9/280/docs/dede_constructivism.pdf.
