Kristina's EC&I 833 Learning

As I reflect on my teaching and how I think students learn best, I believe that providing learning opportunities that allow for students to build on their prior knowledge and to have hands-on experiences is essential.  Based on the Map of Theories , I see myself falling into the constructivism and experimental learning paradigms.  Students, in my opinion, learn through doing.  I teach at the lower elementary level and there is plenty of opportunity for students to engage in activities that allow them to manipulate concrete materials to support their learning.  As we adjust to Covid protocols, some of these hands on tools have had to change to virtual tools.  For example, in small group math instruction I would have students use manipulatives to practice the math skill or concept and to demonstrate their understanding.  As we are limiting contact points, students could use a virtual manipualtive site like this one to essentially do the same task as in pre-Covid times.  Students would s

I enjoyed Neil Postman's perspective in his article titled "Five things we need to know about technological change" (1998).  He wrote about five ideas to consider when thinking about technological advances.  One particular perspective that he wrote about was to think about who advances and who is left behind when an advance in technology is made.  Postman used the example of the blacksmith "singing the praises of the automobile but who also believes that his business will be enhanced by it" (1998, p.2) and Postman states further that this was not the case, the blacksmiths business was not enhanced by the automobile, but rather the opposite is true.  This made me think of the automated check-outs that have been installed at many stores.  I often think about what advantage these machines create for people.  On one hand, I see the benefits to the company, they are advancing in the sense that they may save money in hiring less people to do a job that a machine can d