Problem Solving Research Paper

Technology of the past 20 years has become a focal point of teaching and learning. As a teacher, it is my job to facilitate the learning for an individual by creating an environment that not only conducive for learning, but also places the child in a position to discover and learn them for themselves. Technology has given teachers to opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom, and has begun to reshape their role in the learning process.

2. Explain why you took this course and what you hope to learn from it.

This is why I also employ the constructivism technique of collaborative groups in my classroom to give students the opportunity to discuss ideas with their peers and make reasonable conclusions about what they are learning. My classroom is arranged with student desks placed in small groups, which allows students to direct their attention to the front of the room when needed, yet they can turn and collaborate with their peers during group work.

Reflect on what you have learned in this course and discuss how it might influence your work as a professional

I approach collaboration as a team player, and I believe students need more than one person to guide them to their full educational potential. Also, active and prepared participation of weekly PLC meetings with the teachers of my special education students to plan collaborative curriculum have increased results in math and reading substantially. Participating in co-teaching furthers my repertoire of knowledge to assist my students. I have learned a vast amount from sharing and consulting with colleagues regarding students, observing mentoring teachers, and planning activities to ensure growth in students.

Honey, M. (1999). Critical issue: using technology to improve student achievement. North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Retrieved from: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/800.htm

Technology offers children an additional tool to learn and to develop learning skills. Computers can reveal hidden strengths about a child. For example some children have difficulty developing their fine motor skill,

Personally, what was your mindset and goals upon entering this course – have they changed at all and, if so, how?

7. Support Productive struggle in learning mathematics. The teacher did this when the students were working on their own methods of solving the problem. He allowed time for the students to draw out their representations. It never said, in the reading, how much time was given for the students to draw arrays, but based off molly’s representation she had enough time to draw 160 individual boxes. Also, in the reading the teacher goes by and sees that some students have changed their method of solving the problem (Ex. Lines 38 provides evidence of Support Productive struggle in learning mathematics). That would not have happened if there was not enough time to have a productive struggle.

Collaborative learning stems from the theory of Vygotsky’s conception of Zone of proximal development. The thought is that children learn best with “help and guidance” (Ormrod, 2012). In transitioning this zone to a collaborative learning experience, children work with their peers in broadening their learning experience, allowing small groups of students to work together to share knowledge, exchange ideas, problem solve, and more. These classroom environments help to create durable abilities in students and aid in producing a “smoother integration into adult society when the activities resemble real-world tasks” (Ormrod, 2012). As students work with peers and adults, they adopt some of the learning strategies demonstrated and develop more skills in problem solving. This scaffolding creates a trickle-down effect of knowledge construction. In collaborative learning, students are afforded a myriad of enriching opportunities to explore perspectives that may differ from their own. These activities serve to create a self-awareness in the student of their responsibilities to a group, requiring them to self-monitor their activity (Lee, Tsai, Chai, & Koh, 2014).

Problem solving is a universal process that allows us to make decisions on everything from what to eat and what to wear. These steps contain the necessary knowledge that has been constructed through previous life experiences. Without sufficient experience the supports designed to strengthen our choices are weakened ending in the ultimate failure of the problem.

Techniques and skills need to be learnt, and cannot be replaced by the convenience of technology. In the primary years, students ought to be grounded with the basics. Once they miss this window, it requires them more to be trained later in life. I marvel at the speed of our technology advancement, but how I desire to see academic advancement in our next generation.

As we navigate through the 21st century, technology in the classroom is becoming further predominant. iPads are replacing our textbooks, and we can research any desired topic on our smartphones. The impact that technology has had on today’s schools has been utterly momentous. Educators have now seen firsthand the numerous benefits of technology in the classroom. According to a study by IT Trade Association CompTIA, around 75 percent of educators have come to the conclusion that technology has a positive impact on the education process. Educators have also recognized the significance of developing these technological skills in students so they will be prepared to enter the workforce after they graduate (Cox). By incorporating technology in the classroom, teachers are setting our students up for a successful life outside of school. The increase of technology has even changed how teachers teach along with how

“Through collaboration, ideas can be shared, new and better strategies can be developed, problems can be solved, students’ progresses can be better monitored, and their outcomes are evaluated effectively.”¬ (Lee, 1996).

Education has found its way into the loop of technology. Teachers are using ipads and laptops during class time to help conduct experiments, or share a presentation. This is allowing the students to gain instant access to the information they are seeking. Students also receive the opportunity to complete their homework online and print off their assignments instead of just using paper and pencil. Another pro for Technology in Education, there are countless sources out there which help enhance learning. In one research conducted, they compared the performance of teaching kids how to read a clock. One group was coached by an online app, another was shown by a toy clock, and the last group was trained by a drawing example. The results revealed that the children that were taught by the toy and app exceeded the paper drawing group (Galetzka).