Artifact #2- EDCI 513: Wiki Comments

If the constructivist approach is implemented well through project-based learning (PBL) can help
improve motivation, attitudes towards learning, and increase the retention of content. I love
implementing PBLs in my classroom. It allows for students to experience learning by solving real-world
problems through communication, inquiry, collaboration, and synthesis. I agree with Yvette, that this
needs to be implemented well to be successful. And to be successful, you need to define your content
objectives and expectations, but also be willing to adjust or fine-tune the process. It does take time,
but the benefit of engagement and the application of 21st century skills that our students need to be
successful and feel self-worth. This is such a conglomeration of learning theories.
Artifact #3: Abstract/ Reflection from EDCI 513
Living in the 21st century, we see technological advances that bring the world closer together each day.
Learning is not limited to a classroom with four walls; IPhones, BlackBerrys, iPads, Nooks, and other
mobile devices are becoming more widely used around the world because the tools are more portable,
easier for the average student to use, and more affordable to purchase. Students today approach
learning in a much different way, and teachers need to make use of new strategies and tools to engage
and teach. In fact, most teachers now must make a change to keep up with the 21st century to insure
their students are prepared for a global society. Mobile learning, or m-learning, is a creative and
necessary pedagogical advance that must be incorporated when approaching not only teaching, but
learning as well. This will provide students the opportunity to bring the world a bit closer through the
communication with another learner thousands of miles away whether via video conversations, social
media networks, or Short Message Service (SMS) messaging.
Being able to practice the language through various mediums in ,he a language they are learning creates
invaluable real-world learning experiences. By integrating the very technology students are interested
in and use so often, motivation will increase and our students will become challenged to be fluent
speakers, readers, and writers of a second language. By revolutionizing and evolving teaching
methodologies through the incorporation of modern technologies will allow educators to open the door
to more interaction by way of engaging lessons with activities created a learner-focused environment.
Designing integration based on a situated learning or a constructivist philosophy would be the key to the
instructional approach to mobile learning and will provide the framework.
So, I really would like to explore more research that has been performed with language learners and
smartphone lessons, strategies, and data to prove that smartphones make a difference. I say this
because I am trying to convince my district and school to let me pilot a curriculum for Language Arts,
focusing on data to prove that when lessons are taught utilizing mobile learning, knowledge will be
retained more quickly and learners are really more engaged (with data to back it).