Can We Reach Them All?

As I listened to Wolfe (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a) discuss how learning and memory are all about connections the thing that came to mind was social networking.  Perhaps this is because I had Facebook up on another tab, but also because of how it fits with the concept.  The brilliance behind such mainstays as Facebook, Twitter, and the likes is how thoroughly they are becoming integrated into our lives.  They pull together every group and everything we do from business to pleasure.  As teachers we must start thinking in a more web-like manner, connecting what we want student to know with what they already do know.  No longer can we rely on a linear path we like to call curriculum which starts with Chapter 1 in September and ends with chapter 38 in June.  One of the best ways to do this in the classroom may just be to start thinking more like the tools we use daily.

Along those lines, I tend to agree with Wolfe (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a) that there is no such thing as a Homogenous group.  Look at your own children who have been raised in the same home, with the same gene pool, with the same values and you will see how you can get kids on each end of every spectrum.  Orey (2001) expounds the conundrum by discussing the eight accepted types of intelligences students may learn best by. Mix in the various learning styles, and shuffle up socioeconomic, racial, and cultural backgrounds and you will realize what a grab-bag our classrooms really are. How then can we teach them all the way they learn best?

The answer is that there is no simple answer.  However, as Orey (2001 & Laureate Education, Inc., 2011b) discusses, one key piece of the puzzle is technology.  Technology is evolving quickly.  Though this may scare many educators, it is also our biggest ally.  Advances in technology are allowing us to aid student learning by building connections and strengthening the ones that are already there.  For example, Wolfe (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011c) stresses the importance of emotional connections for retention of content.  In science there is nothing more powerful than watching raw footage and interviews of a tsunami that happened that morning when we are studying tsunamis in class!  As Orey (2001) describes various aspects of intelligences and learning styles, he constantly offers ideas for application involving technology.   From collaboration to journaling, graphics to music, technology gives educators more and more ways to reach kids the way they learn best.  I know there are hurdles to get over and hoops to jump through in order for technology to work its wonders, but I believe it is our best bet for reaching our students and keeping them motivated to learn.   

 Resources:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011a). Understanding the brain [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011b). Instructional theory vs. learning theory [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011c). Brain research and learning [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Multiple intelligences and learning styles. Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page