Dunnington Reflection 4

Deb Dunnington

Multimodal Learning

Chapters 5 and 6 (pages 93-117)

Reflection #4

Instead of focusing specifically on the content of these chapters, our group discussed and reflected on the book as a whole. Oddly, this technique worked because the chapters mostly recapped what the book was about besides a couple sections on rubrics and design. Since we all enjoyed the 4 As so much yesterday, we decided to use this method again, especially since we were focusing on synthesizing the information presented in the book as a whole. Again, I like this discussion protocol, but couldn’t help but trying to apply it to my classes today while discussing. One thing that I think would need to be explicitly taught before this discussion technique could be successful, especially with younger grades, would be the terms assumption and aspire. Some modeling and practice activities not related to the discussion protocol would be great.

Some of the overall assumptions we discussed that the author holds are that these multimodal ways of learning (technology) are easily accessible and available to everyone, teacher and student alike, and that everyone knows the basics. Although technology is great and we are getting the opportunity to have more and more in some of our schools, not every school or student has access. Plus, some of the technology we had, such as MyAccess, is being eliminated because in the current economy, schools don’t have money to pay for some of these programs. Granted, there is free technology that can be incorporated, but even with the poll website we learned about today, with our class sizes, for it to be effective we need to use the versions that are not free. The second big assumption is that all of our students have mastered and know the basics and are just waiting to have a creative, technological outlet to demonstrate and show their wonderful knowledge. This is not always the case. If the students don’t have the knowledge to begin with, it will be difficult to present it or synthesize it in a “multimodal” way.

After reading the book, what I agree with is that technology is good and can be beneficial in the classroom, but I argue that technology is not always the best way to achieve the outcome. We do live in a world where technology is huge and something new is coming out of our technological advancements everyday, and it is important that we adapt to the changing ways. My aspiration is to definitely try and incorporate more technology into my classroom and lessons. I think that this could create more engagement and motivation, but, at the same time, I still feel there is benefit and good in some of the old ways. Sometimes a good old-fashioned poster on construction paper is just as effective as creating something online. My goal is to try to balance the old with the new to create well-rounded learning experiences.