Blog Entry #2

Good Pedagogy
1. Learning from technology
2. Behaviorism
3. Product tecnology

I grouped all of these terms together because I believe that each aspect is and can be a good way of teaching but I don't think that it is the best way. Based off of Reeves' article, it is shown that there are positive effects to learnging from technology. Yet, at the same time, he concludes that the differences "between media and technology as tutors and human teachers have been modest and inconsistent." In the same way, the article, Teaching with Technology, states that although product technology does improve learning, it doesn't ensure learning. So once again, the idea leads us to the conclusion that yes, it is good pedagogy, simply because it leads to improved student acheivement, yet, it is still not the best pedagogy. Lastly, I grouped behaviorism in this category because behaviorism is basically based off of a stimulation from something, and then a response from the student. Personally, I do not think this is the best way to teach a student. I feel that it would be more beneficial for the student to learn by participating with the technology rather than just from the technolgy. In this case, behaviorsim is simply just good pedagogy, not the best.


The Best Pedagogy
1. Learning with technology
2. Constructivism
3. Idea technologies

I grouped all of these terms together because I believe that they relate to linking technology with pedagogy. Hence, pedagogy is the main goal, and then technology is added into the mix in order to add something new and beneficial. I feel like learning with technology is the best form of pedagogy because not only does it teach the content to the students but it also "empowers learners to design their own representations of knowledge rather than absorbing representations preconceived by others" (Reeves 3). In addition, I grouped idea technologies in "The Best Pedagogy" because I think that the initial focus of a teacher should be the idea section of the technology. Then, once an idea has been created, I think that the teacher should then focus on the product side of technology so that they can best present the idea. Lastly, I added constructivism to this group because learning with technology and idea technologies can be best implemented within a constructivist learning environment. In fact, Reeves mentioned that "Learning with technology is referred to in terms such as cognitive tools and constructivist learning environments.

I am having difficulty deciding on which side of the continuum I would place myself because in theory, when I imagine myself as a teacher, I see myself on the "Best Pedagogy"side of the spectrum. Yet, I feel like I still have a lot of learning and growth to go through, so I would have to say that currently, I am on the "Good Pedagogy" side with my feet heading in the direction of the "Best Pedagogy".

I think eventually, I would like to be in the middle range, but leaning heavily on the "Best Pedagogy" side. The reason that I want to be in the middle range is because I don't want to lose my knowledge about product technology because I find it to be an elemental part of idea technology. Lastly, I also find that behaviorism can be quite effective with some facets of education so I do not want to completely ditch that theory eventhough I lean more towards constructivism for the majority of the time.