Reflection

Prior to this course, I was not familiar with the Universal Design for Learning or the learning tools (ebook and lesson builder) they had available. The UDL is “principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn” (Cast, 2002). I enjoyed reading about the different networks, and how we as teachers need to present information in multiple ways, allow for expression of knowledge in multiple ways and to motivate an interest for learning.   The UDL lesson builder helps teachers with selecting “different approaches for teaching information (what), for teaching skills and strategies (how), and for teaching students to love learning (why)” (Rose, 2002). This tool is very time consuming for use but helps to make sure all networks are covered and differentiation is achieved. The UDL book builder allows users to “create, share, publish, and read digital books that engage and support diverse learners according to their individual needs, interests, and skills” (Cast, 2002). With my team members, we were split into elementary teachers and math teachers so we decided to create lesson on math at the elementary level. Through discuss via google drive, we decided on data analysis and begin deciding on different lessons. My student are always questioning when they will use a topic in real life so I created a lesson to help address this.

Cast.org (2009). Cast UDL book builder. Center for Applied Special Technology. Retrieved from http://bookbuilder.cast.org

Cast.org (2009). Model UDL lessons. Center for Applied Special Technology. Retrieved from http://udlselfcheck.cast.org/

Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal design for learning. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Available online at the Center for Applied Special Technology Web site. Chapter 6. Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/

Week 5 learning

My favorite video from this week talked about video games being an assessment of problem solving. John Paul Gee states, “in order to survive they (students) are going to have to have innovation and creativity”. Schooling needs to stress solving problems in groups, and students need to be able to work collaboratively so that the “groups is smarter than any one person”. Using video games in school can take an assessment and make it fun because it is in the form of a game. Textbooks need to become manuals for reference rather than the first point of contact. Gee also talked about kids wanting to produce rather than just consume, and students want to use social media networks. He also encouraged the use of fan fiction sites so students can read and write based on what they are interested in. My favorite part of his interview was towards the end when he begin to talk about curriculum, politicians and textbooks taking away from teacher’s professional judgment. Teachers should be rewarded for being innovative. Teachers need to learn technology alongside their students; it allows students to see their teachers as learners.

Edutopia.org (nd). Big thinkers: James Paul Gee on grading with games. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-james-gee-video

Week 4 Teaching with technology

I currently work in a district that has recently added a non-traditional high-school with project based learning. Project based learning allows kids to learn at their own pace and creates buy-in in their learning. According to Seymour, one must “give up the idea of curriculum. Curriculum meaning you have to learn this on a given day. Replace it by a system where you learn this where you need it (Edutopia, 2001).” Many will agree our educational system needs an overhaul; according to the narrorator, “Putting students at the center of the learning process is the key to transforming the educational system” (Edutopia, 2001). While project based learning is great in theory is it preparing students for Advanced Placement Test, SAT, ACT and even college. Many of the readings were about grading learning and not just using a test. While I agree with students be able to be creative and learning at their own pace this is a difficult thing to do when there are so many state and even national assessments that are Test.  

Edutopia.org (nd). Project Learning: An Overview. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-overview