Using the UDL Lesson Builder framework was an enriching experience. Incorporating activities and strategies that addressed the three UDL networks was challenging and made me think about vital it is to provide varied content and flexibility in lessons. I am very familiar with providing activities that engage the various learning styles, but the UDL Networks go beyond learning styles to address the many ways that students learn and the specific needs of the level of learning.
The network and corresponding strategies that provoked the most thought in me was the recognition network. While planning, I thought about my students and how much they would benefit from having multiple examples and multiple media and formats provided for them. I also thought about the importance of highlighting the critical features of a concept. To me, it is a way of giving students the “big picture” of a concept and doing away with the “fluff” or unnecessary items of information that may distract the student from concentrating on the key elements of a concept.
I am looking forward to using the UDL Lesson Builder to plan for my students. I am also looking forward to sharing this information with my grade level team.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Video Conference Comments - 11/21/09
The video conference that I attended on Saturday, November 21, 2009 was the second conference that I have participated in. The conferences have been extremely helpful to me. I always receive clarification on assignments and additional valuable information. I also benefit from hearing other student’s questions and concerns.
One of my major fears about pursuing a degree program using an online format was the lack of interaction. The video conferences have helped me by providing an opportunity to interact with the professor and with other students. It has allowed me to meet my fellow students and put names with faces. I look forward to participating in the conferences on a regular basis.
One of my major fears about pursuing a degree program using an online format was the lack of interaction. The video conferences have helped me by providing an opportunity to interact with the professor and with other students. It has allowed me to meet my fellow students and put names with faces. I look forward to participating in the conferences on a regular basis.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Frayer Model Tutorial
A Frayer Model is a powerful tool to utilize to enhance language development in English language learners. Please watch the above Power Point tutorial.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Educator Preparation and Development
The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology is a comprehensive plan that aspires to raise the expectations and proficiencies of students, educators, parents and community and school board members. The area that I would like to comment on is the section that addresses Educator Preparation and Development.
Appropriate and meaningful teacher preparation is critical for student success. Teacher preparation could be divided into two sections: new teacher development and veteran teacher preparation. New teachers, regardless of age are more likely to be more familiar with and more proficient in the usage of various technology tools as many technology tools are an integral part of university level coursework. These teachers will most likely graduate from these programs proficient in the effective use of technology for teaching and learning and ready to develop new learning environments that utilize and integrate appropriate technology in innovative ways.
Veteran teachers should be trained on the use and integration of current technology tools and resources and effective strategies to fully and actively engage students in learning. Not only must veteran teachers be well trained in technology usage and integration they must also be comfortable with the use of the technology that they will be integrating. If a certain level of comfort with a technology tool or application isn’t reached, it’s unlikely that the teacher will actually use it in the classroom. In addition to professional development for classroom applications, both types of teachers should be encouraged to continually increase their personal learning through additional professional development or continuing education.
On the national, state and local levels teachers are being trained on the usage and integration of current technology tools and resources. But more importantly teachers are learning how to actively engage students (for whom technology tool usage is first nature) in information evaluation, problem solving projects, cooperative learning and global communications that will enable them to be competitive in the new global economy.
A prevailing trend on the national, state and local levels seems to be: purchase the technology and then train teachers. This makes sense until funding constraints are taken into consideration. If consistent funding is not available, then the technology infrastructure cannot be created, maintained and enhanced. On the other hand, if teachers are trained on the use and integration of a technology tool and don’t have the tool to utilize then the training was in vain.
I believe that for students to be successful, teachers must not only have access to the needed technology tools and resources, but also access to meaningful, hands on professional development that leaves them feeling knowledgeable and confident in the integration of the technology tool into the curriculum. The integration of technology should transform the learning experience for both the students and the teachers.
Appropriate and meaningful teacher preparation is critical for student success. Teacher preparation could be divided into two sections: new teacher development and veteran teacher preparation. New teachers, regardless of age are more likely to be more familiar with and more proficient in the usage of various technology tools as many technology tools are an integral part of university level coursework. These teachers will most likely graduate from these programs proficient in the effective use of technology for teaching and learning and ready to develop new learning environments that utilize and integrate appropriate technology in innovative ways.
Veteran teachers should be trained on the use and integration of current technology tools and resources and effective strategies to fully and actively engage students in learning. Not only must veteran teachers be well trained in technology usage and integration they must also be comfortable with the use of the technology that they will be integrating. If a certain level of comfort with a technology tool or application isn’t reached, it’s unlikely that the teacher will actually use it in the classroom. In addition to professional development for classroom applications, both types of teachers should be encouraged to continually increase their personal learning through additional professional development or continuing education.
On the national, state and local levels teachers are being trained on the usage and integration of current technology tools and resources. But more importantly teachers are learning how to actively engage students (for whom technology tool usage is first nature) in information evaluation, problem solving projects, cooperative learning and global communications that will enable them to be competitive in the new global economy.
A prevailing trend on the national, state and local levels seems to be: purchase the technology and then train teachers. This makes sense until funding constraints are taken into consideration. If consistent funding is not available, then the technology infrastructure cannot be created, maintained and enhanced. On the other hand, if teachers are trained on the use and integration of a technology tool and don’t have the tool to utilize then the training was in vain.
I believe that for students to be successful, teachers must not only have access to the needed technology tools and resources, but also access to meaningful, hands on professional development that leaves them feeling knowledgeable and confident in the integration of the technology tool into the curriculum. The integration of technology should transform the learning experience for both the students and the teachers.
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