Standard D: Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for Students

TPE 8: Learning About Students

TPE 9: Instructional Planning

Journal Reflection:

How can technology help educators plan instruction and design learning experiences for students?

In order to plan instruction and design effective learning experiences, educators must understand developmental factors. Personally, since I will be teaching students in secondary school, this means understanding the adolescent phase of life, that transitional time from childhood to adulthood (Berger, 2005). This period of life is marked by several changes in biological development, cognitive thought processes, and psychosocial maturity. External biological changes are evident as adolescents experience the rapid growth and sexual transformation associated with puberty (Berger, 2005). Internal changes occur as well. Perhaps most significant to education during this phase of life, is brain development. As Sousa (2006) noted, the rational system matures slowly during this period; thus, students tend to be more emotional. These elements, as well as the individual student needs and learning preferences, must be taken into account in order to provide activities that can greatly enhance the learning process.

The wealth of information available on the internet today affords educators with resources to learn about and better understand their students. Teachers can access data regarding adolescent and cognitive development, various learning theories, and fundamental needs. In addition, educators can use certain tools to help determine individual learning preferences. The benefits of technology are many when it comes to learning about students and planning effective instruction.

Useful Websites:

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/teens_stages.shtml
http://www.learning-theories.com/
http://www.learning-styles-online.com/inventory/login.asp

http://www.biologyinmotion.com/index.html
http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Guide.shtml http://www.itma.vt.edu/modules/spring03/instrdes/lesson6.htm