Digital Blog Post #G – Chapter 10

Chapter 10 in our text book focuses on using technology to help all students succeed. The first concept that popped out at me was differentiated instruction. This concept focuses on teachers creating lesson plans that will meet the learning needs of each student. To make this work as a teacher I would need to be aware of how each of my students learns the best. Some students may learn better doing hands on group work while other students who become easily distracted in a group may work better doing something individually. Learning how each student works and then building lesson plans that fit the needs of each student is something that I think is a very useful tool in creating a great learning environment for the students.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ― Benjamin Franklin

Not only is differentiated instruction important but also universal design is just as important. Differentiated instruction focused meeting the learning needs of the child as an individual while universal design focuses on the physical design of the class and school. Universal design is how the schools are designed and set up to meet the needs of all students. For example, children with wheel chairs will need access ramps and door ways that are wide enough to accommodate a wheel chair. As a future teacher I think it is very important that all students have the access to reach their classrooms without running into problems. It is important that All students feel welcome and comfortable.

The next concept, universal design for learning or UDL, is “the application of universal design principles to educational settings.”( Maloy, et al, 2013, p.250) This concept is close to differentiated instruction but it is not the same. The concept of USL involves teachers also thinking about and including students with disabilities into their lesson plans. As a teacher you need to be aware of not only how a student learns but also if they have disabilities that would prevent them from participating with the class. If that is the case then you need to find a way to overcome that obstacle and include the student. A great way to do that is through assistive technology. There are many technologies that can help students and making yourself aware of these technologies and putting them to use to help students is very important. An online article, Universal Design forLearning - Improved Access for All, explains USL is a very simple and understanding way. “Universally designed curriculum overcomes limitations by incorporating three principles of flexibility into the design: Multiple methods of presentation, multiple options for participation, multiple means of expression. This built-in flexibility provides into a wider range of options for students to choose from - meaning the curriculum adapts to the student, rather than the other way around.”(Firchow, 2010)

Created by Chasity Kahl on Padlet

In conclusion, it is important for teacher to do their best to make each student feel comfortable in the classroom and also feel like they are a part of the class. To do this you can use differentiated instruction, universal design for learning, and also make sure the class is accessible to everyone with universal design.

Resources:

Craig, S. (2013, June 4). Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8QWLrI-G78

Firchow, N. (2010, January 1). Universal Design for Learning - Improved Access for All. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/785-universal-design-for-learning-improved-access-for-all.gs?page=all

Kahl, C. (2015, March 1). LEARNING FOR ALL | Padlet. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://padlet.com/chasity_kahl/r7elgx1h3srd

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.