This week had an abundance of great reading and videos. I learned about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and even though in my own career I will never use it, it is a very good source and useful tool for teachers that I will be happy to share in my tech-prep / dual credit seminars with teachers. Pitler stated it accurately when he said “…learning shouldn't be an afterthought; it should drive the lesson design.” (Pitler, 2007) and that is what UDL helps a teacher accomplish.
The use of technology to engage students now and for years to come presents teachers with an exciting challenge to stay abreast of technology, not an easy task. Teachers can engage students with varying learning styles by using UDL to check their engagement and use of the proper teaching tools "if" the technology is available and that will be problem for a lot of districts as we factor in the major budget short falls that face districts today. It is my hope that technology is not on the chopping block so that we can move forward with the plans that have been laid out to take our students into the 21st century of learning.
The eBook is another useful tool I used this week and again will be happy to share this at seminars but at the college level I do not see a need for this type of tool. The eBook is simple to use, easily understandable and allows for thought provoking commentary built into the book. This will help to educate visually impaired as it reads the book, slow to learn learners and gifted alike.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom Instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
The use of technology to engage students now and for years to come presents teachers with an exciting challenge to stay abreast of technology, not an easy task. Teachers can engage students with varying learning styles by using UDL to check their engagement and use of the proper teaching tools "if" the technology is available and that will be problem for a lot of districts as we factor in the major budget short falls that face districts today. It is my hope that technology is not on the chopping block so that we can move forward with the plans that have been laid out to take our students into the 21st century of learning.
The eBook is another useful tool I used this week and again will be happy to share this at seminars but at the college level I do not see a need for this type of tool. The eBook is simple to use, easily understandable and allows for thought provoking commentary built into the book. This will help to educate visually impaired as it reads the book, slow to learn learners and gifted alike.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom Instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
http://bookbuilder.cast.org/
http://www.cast.org/
eBook: http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=share&book=172e3912ec09eb540c63b1438647cb43&sid=4000 The Rain Forest - Global
Google Project Site: https://sites.google.com/site/techsaavyteachers/