EDLD+5364+Reflections+-+Wk+5+Submission+content

In week 5 of our class studies, I enjoyed the reading in chapter 8, as it stated, //"The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students' understanding of the relationships between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning."(1)//

It is very important in today's classrooms, regardless of grade level, that the teacher recognizes a student's efforts in subjects that they are studying. In our chapter 8 reading on "Reinforcing Effort," in "**//Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works//**," the authors review the use of spreadsheet software formulated to reflect the entire classroom of students and their progress, assisting the teacher, as well as the students, As the authors continue, //"Technology makes it easier for students and teachers to track the effects of effort and facilitates more immediate feedback."(2)// in visualizing their progress and efforts in particular subjects. I feel this process will be most beneficial to the students in that they need to be encouraged to participate and to strive for success in their studies, but they also need to be able to recognize those efforts and see that they are succeeding in accomplishing a goal.

My mom had the philosophy in my upbringing, recognizing that some subjects were more of a challenge for myself than others, that sometimes a "C" was in fact, my best effort. I always felt if I could bring home a "C" in those subjects, that I could be just as proud as if I had made an "A." //"Research shows that when students are allowed to set some of their own learning goals, their notation is higher than when they pursue only teacher-set goals (Hom & Murphy, 1983) (3).// Today's students are under so much pressure to make the highest marks, so they can win the scholarships and recognitions from the well known universities and colleges, but doesn't that type of pressure hinder their learning process? I feel if a student can learn and grow in their knowledge in a positive & encouraging atmosphere, they will be so much better adapted adults for the real world.

With all of the studies and philosophies of current technology authors and leaders, it all comes down to the basic idea: Giving our students the best tools they need to be the best they can be in their technology futures. I believe with the learning-by-technology-tidal-wave that has consumed us, today's students have the opportunity and interest in learning this new technology and are working more collaboratively with their classmates and the teachers -- as they are ALL on the learning bandwagon together!

(1) "Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works,"Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K.(2007), Alexandria, VA:Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, p 155.

(2) "Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works,"Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K.(2007), Alexandria, VA:Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, p 156.

(3) "Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works,"Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K.(2007), Alexandria, VA:Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, p 18.