Video - Learning Styles

Here is a video clip of basic learning styles and its relation to one's preference:

Literature Review

As a result of class tonight I have a clearer understanding of the Literature Review process.   Next week's blog will focus on the Methodology.

Different Instruction with Media

During my literature search to write my review, I read an interesting study about the use of media in instruction. The study discusses that even with electronic delivery, students with differing learning styles can still be engaged and make progress. Examples of electronic presentation can include images, diagrams, videos and simulations. Examples of classwork surrounding this type of presentation can include practice with electronic discussions and virtual meetings for group work. Students that may not think they can be captivated by electronic learning may realize they can enjoy this type of learning.

Relating Team Focus and Problem Statement

The Tech Leaders’ focus is to use technology to enhance lessons and student engagement. Our mission is to help teachers use technology as an accelerator of learning. This can be done by implementing technology-based personalized learning approaches in classrooms. The objective is not to let technology drive learning, but to have it serve as support while students’ individual needs are met. There are multiple ways this can be done such as, providing students with options to demonstrate their learning using a variety of tech tools.

Literature Review and my Problem Statement

Since my last post, I have been working on integrating more and more technology in my classroom. I have worked in Edmodo and a flipped classroom in one controlled groups and more traditional classroom to create a wide sample size. My literature review would push my classroom more towards a 21st century learning style. These are the skills that will create the global learner and worker. But how does this prepare my students now? My problem statement is as follows:

How does the infusion of 21st century learning skills and emerging technology affect the student’s ability to pass and or perform well on local and state-wide standardized assessments?

The infusion of the 21st century learning skills, first introduces a definition problem. How do you define these skills and to what point are they used? How can you know that these are the skills that would be needed in the future with a world that changes on a daily basis? This question can lead and will lead to years of research. Given that this will only be done in a few weeks, a small sample size will be used and data analysis will have to be conducted on pre and post tests questions.

To help sort some of this out, this article has a chart does a great job explaining the differences between 20th and 21st century learning.

Chart describing the differences between 20th and 21st Century Learning

Looking at this chart and identifying what 21st century skills that are needed, you can begin to identity what technology tools to use. For example, I use Edmodo as a great collaborative tool. Good docs to maintain online portfolio of work, quizlet to help study and other Web 2.0 tools that are being developed to fuse skills and technology.

To futhur infuse these skills, the common core and PAARC tests are being written to these skill sets.  Therefore, it stands to reason, that if teachers and students can master these skills and infusing technology, test scores will go up.

Looking ahead: As I dive deeper into my research, I plan on incorporating these skills and more technology into test taking abilities and study skills to prepare for upcoming tests.

My Action Research

I am working on my Action Research.  I am addressing the issue of the achievement gap in my school between whites and students of color.  I am not having trouble defining the problem but I am having trouble coming up with research questions and tying technology into this topic. 

My Literature Review & Technology

Electronic Instruction Considering Learning Styles

One study I am using in my literature review discusses electronic media and its use in instruction. Even with one method of presentation - electronically - learning styles can still be considered. Researchers used a theory with seven learning styles and examined their correlation with a teaching strategy and type of electronic media. Students in the Visual Learning Style category were taught with images, diagrams, and simulations, and their understanding of the material was to be presented in a similar fashion. Students that prefer Active Learning were taught with role play, and homework included practicing the information with electronic methods of discussion and group work. Whether with electronic media or in front of a classroom, it is important that the teacher “organize activities that take into account individual learning style, that assessments are designed taking into account the variety of learning styles of students …”.