The first week of Teaching with Technology has been very informative. I have learned about constructivism, connectivism, and cyborg theories. Constructivism and connectivism are areas I would like to look into a little more. These are valid and worthwhile using in any subjects you may be teaching. One of the two that I have used in the past is contructivism, although I would like to gather more information about it. This theory allows the learner/student to use their past experiences in order to continue to build on them. Using any of these theories will allow you to become a facilitator by aiding the students in the use of technology to further their knowledge. “Good teachers have always used experience as a valuable instructional tool” (Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, 1999) and so constructivism resembles a natural shift in education.

    Connectivism is the use of connections or networks to gain new knowledge. Most classroom environments do not lend themselves much to this theory, but as we have seen from the student’s use of social media, they are constantly using this theory without realizing it. Since students are already familiar with this type of learning, it would be beneficial for educators to adopt this technique. Cyborg theory involves implants of microchips into humans. This technology is not readily available, and would revolutionize education in ways that can only be imagined.

    Even though these three theories are different, the use of technology enables and enhances success in all three of them. In cyborg theory, technology is essential. The theory is driven by the implementation of microchips. The employment of networks that can be created by the use of social media to extend the students learning toolbox, known as connectivism, is also dependent on technology. Another tool in a student’s tool box is using previous experiences then building on them in order to gain new knowledge is constructivism.

   Technology is widely used in education and day to day life allows teachers to present lessons that put students in a position to use technology to build on their knowledge. This could also allow students to work together, make choices, and be more engaged in the process of learning. The use technology to cultivate collaboration, decision making skills, and life long learning should be definitive goals in education. Technology as well as appropriate educational theories must be utilized by educators to prepare our students for the future. In addition, technology can allow teachers to mature from a “good teacher to a great teacher and give you the positive influence you have always hoped for” (Pitler, Hubbel, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p. 14).

References:

Pitler, H., Hubbel, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with

      classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and

      Curriculum Development.

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). Learning as a personal event:

      A brief introduction to constructivism. Retrieved on February 17, 2011 from

      http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/intro2c.html