UDL: Is The Universal design for Learning an Effective Strategy?

Here are my thoughts on UL.

In a PowerPoint created by The National Center on Universal Design for Learning, the quote, “Stop and reflect. Think of an example of how a learning context creates the illusion of disability” really thought provoking. How often do we frustrate ourselves when the students do not comprehend the material or appear to be less bright than their predecessors? It is possible that we are fabricating their weaknesses instead of diagnosing our approach. 

The UDL approach asks teachers to look at the needs of the children first. Reflect on the interest of the children, their specific learning needs and styles, and then begin the planning process. If teachers “think ahead,” then there will be fewer frustrating surprises during the delivery. 

With this information in mind, I can plan lessons with multiple presentations, different outlets of expression, and engagement activities that will reach all learners instead of a handful (pg 35 The National Center on Universal Design for Learning). Technology fits directly into this approach because there are countless ways to learn the same material. Also, technology is in the hands of our kids on a daily basis, so they find it relevant and exciting. Technology provides opportunities to build priceless background knowledge for all students.  Students do not have to research the same articles, we can find leveled one. Students who are non-readers can watch YouTube or listen to podcasts. Our visual learners will thrive on the media, and the visual-logical students can use videos and screen casts too. Also, there are Microsoft Accessibility tools such as text to talk, background limitations, and keyboard settings that could minimize distractions and maximize learning for special education and general education students.

Global Education is The Future

What is Global Education?  How will this phenomenon effect our lives and our careers?  Here are a few ideas.

Lucy Grey, a member of The Global Education Conference describes global education very simply, "It is designed to significantly increase opportunities for building education-related connections around the globe while supporting cultural awareness and recognition of diversity." To me, this means that from a very young age we must connect with diverse people from diverse places and explore how we are interconnected. Further, global education is an opportunity to learn from others so that we can depend on each other, work on problems, and ultimately make the world a smaller place by making connections and lines of trust.

For my students, that means taking a look at their preconceived notions and stereotypes concerning diverse people. This will be easy at a young age, but as students get older they have some pretty concrete beliefs about people. Beliefs are hard to change because they are built by our surroundings and ultimately our families. Trying to teach kids to challenge their families ideals may be tricky, but in the end it will be worth the struggle. Also, this means that our students have to learn to interact in a positive, civil manner with people they are unfamiliar or possibly uncomfortable with.

Teachers should care about global education because it will effect our students futures and our ability to teach. Like all professionals, we have to keep up with the times. We cannot stay stuck in the past reliant on a typewriter and the pony express. To prepare students for the tasks ahead of them we have to start now. If we do not not start now, they will miss the basic steps and scaffolding process of learning. We can't just take a deaf ear to this information and expect them to pick it up five years from now. By then, the basic programs will be more advanced and the students will not have a leg to stand on.

In my situation, I can use digital programs such as Skype, E-Pals, and Challenge 20/20 to connect with people over the world. If I am learning about Ireland I can literally set up a conference call for my students. If I am inquiring about ecological issues in KY I can set up conferences of visits from local geologists. If I am having a diversity fair, I can learn from actual people all over the world with the click of a few buttons. The children can have pen pals too. We could open up a blog to another school in another country too.

How can You incorporate Global interactions?

These two organizations seem fairly easy to incorporate and join!  Both sites appear to be safe and promote working on situations around the world together.

http://www.iearn.org/

http://www.nais.org/global/index.cfm?ItemNumber=147262&sn.ItemNumber=148035

My Students are Just Not the Same: An Explanation of Why our Children are Changing

Technology provides many positive educational opportunities. However, it also bombards students with an impressive amount of visual and auditory stimulation.  In addition to its presentation, they also have the opportunity to engage in activities they enjoy while doing other activities on the computer. 

Technology has allowed students to become multi-taskers.  They simultaneously do many things at once.  I am this way too. I cook, clean, listen to music, wipes noses, and write grocery lists all while carrying on a conversation.  However, most adult multi-tasking does not involve the same activities as the students.  This is where we see a major disconnect between how children view digital usage and adults perceive the effects of its  usage.

  I think we need to find ways to teach them how to prioritize or multi-task better.  Since they are not going to stop multi-tasking, we should teach them how to be better multi-taskers.  We can teach them to manage their time, or to prioritize.

Use what they love to enhance engagement

 The differences in today's child and our childhood are vastly different.  In schools, teachers are commanded to close the gaps.  A new GAP is the difference between us and "them."  As in other similar situations, teachers need to find ways to bridge the gap.  As I stated before, teachers have to stop dwelling on what their previous classes were like and start asking themselves how they can reach this group.  There is no time for asking how to change the students. Instead we need to reflect on how we can change our practices.  We are dealing with a group of children who are very different from anything we have taught or understand.  The need to learn remains the same, while the process needs to change.

When I was a kid, I was engaged by a film strip presentations and calculator games in school.  My teachers expected me to learn all the material exposed to me in whichever manner she presented it.  Just years ago, the focus for engagement was to be hands on.  The technology we were expected to use was still calculators and rulers.  Later on, we had opportunities for lap tops.  Even then, the programs available do not even compare to what is available today.

Today, to be relevant, we have to not only use technology, but to be current in what we use.  Since programs outdate themselves and the trends are constantly changing, teachers have to explore what is available regularly to ensure they are still relevant. Why is this all important?

Exposure to technology is important because it is our future.  The end of pencil, paper, and pen days are quickly approaching because technology has made communication, engagement, and presenting information much easier.  We are people who thrive on the fastest and easiest approaches to solving problems and completing work.  Improvements in these area are developing at an incredible rate.  Our children need to understand how technology works so they can be prepared to use it in their futures.  They will need the background knowledge now so they can build upon it later.

Using Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom

Here is some extra information and expertise on the debate about the effects of technology usage on 21st century learners.  As teachers we struggle to see whether technology is only making inattention and engagement a larger problem.  This article is pretty eye opening.  Dr. Perry, a PHD in cognitive development breaks down some pressing debates about how different technology promotes or inhibits the development of our children.
Using Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom

Education World: From Chalkboard to "Wall" Managing the Benefits of School-Sanctioned Social Media Use

 Social media sites such as Facebook, Linked, Twitter, and MySpace allow people to connect all over the world.  People can use these sites to make connections, to learn , to "nose around," to keep in touch, to publish ideas, to vent, or to network in professional ways.  Such a public venue has pros and cons.  How do professionals and teachers  use these popular sites as tools for engagement while remaining professional boundaries?  Is it necessary to find alternate "safe" sites, or can we manipulate the system enough to bring a more educational, useful nature to social networks?  Are recorded conversations going to become some major liability because tones and contexts could be misread?  These are all questions i am trying to get to the bottom of.
Education World: From Chalkboard to "Wall" Managing the Benefits of School-Sanctioned Social Media Use

Education World: Social Media in the Classroom?

 Our students have had handheld devices in their palms for years.  Some would argue they cannot handle daily activities without the aid and assistance of their digital tools.  The digital tools have become their crutch for remembering numbers, lists, errands, appointments, and accessing any information they need in an instant.  While the children learn from and depend on these tools, many adults would argue they are an interference to learning.  While children could misuse the technology, is the threat of misuse worth abandoning relevant educational opportunities?  Check out this article on the use of popular media in the classroom vs. protected look alike sites.
Education World: Social Media in the Classroom?

Education World: Great iPhone Apps for Teachers

 Just when you thought that the iPad or iPod could not get any more useful, they added teacher support.  There are some pretty cool Apps to check out that are sure to keep you more organized.  This tool will help with the tremendous paper shuffling and overuse of sticky notes we deal with daily!
Education World: Great iPhone Apps for Teachers

The Digital Generation

Believe it or not, many of our kids may truly believe their world is entwined with the birth and development of technology.  From the time our children are born they are bombarded with the very fast paced, interactive, interesting, visually loud expanse of technology.  Unlike adults, they have never know the world to be different. This is where problems begin in educating our youth.  Instead of just tackling the age old behavior and engagement issues, now we have to battle 21st century issues. Check out the link below to discover for yourself why this change in direction will be beneficial and critical in the development and success of our youth.  

Check out Glogster

Teachers, kids and families will find this online digital poster making program amusing.  Once you have an account, you can even blog about them.  Make sure to set your search defaults to a conservative level in the control panel to make sure all your search results within this program are kid friendly.  See my post about how to do this if you are confused.  

www.glogster.com

Some ideas for usage:

-  Make a digital persuasive or informative piece.  Then, have the kids blog about the effectiveness of each others' work. 

- make the cover of a book from the children's perspective.  Or, have them recreate the front page to demonstrate how the setting of a book can change the mood or theme.  

- illustrate a major event from the story

- make an informative poster and add text features

- create an advertisement

- make a visual "how to" piece 

- or create a page for yourself where kids can check out videos and links

- make a poster that shows what you learned and saw on your field trip

Scared to fiddle with it?  Check out this quick tutorial.