lhumbert

UDL Reflection #1
At the core of UDL is the premise that often the curriculum is disabled (and disabling!). It is not flexible; it often poses barriers, and consequently prevents rather than supports optimal learning experiences. Do you agree or disagree with this view? Why or why not? No doubt that the current educational framework presents barriers and does not support the UDL model for all students. As I understand UDL, all students should be given access to accommodations and modifications typically provided to students will special education needs.

=
To me, the most disabling barriers are in the materials and assessment part of the curriculum. If we are to give all students access to print material that they can listen too, thus eliminating the barrier of reading, then more computers need to be in each school. At this point our school system does not always provide enough textbooks for each child to have a person copy for the year and we certainly don’t have enough computers for each child. In terms of assessments, currently, all students take one formative assessment (the MSA) which is in the same format for almost all students ( with the exception of a few special education students who take the MOD MSA). In the UDL model of assessment, students would be given a variety of methods to show their mastery of the objectives. With the Common Core Framework and assessments coming, =====

=
I don’t see how UDL fits in at all because all students will have to take the same type assessments which will involve reading and writing longer passages. To my knowledge, alternative means assessment at this level are not an option; therefore presenting a barrier to the UDL model. However, assessments in the classroom can be more aligned with the UDL model because teachers have more control over what goes on their classrooms. The barrier here lies in teacher expertise in alternate means of assessment, time needed to assess and develop the assessments as well as the fairness of the assessment. =====

UDL Reflection #4
**What barriers are inherent in traditional assessments? What are the challenges in offering varied options for assessment?** Traditional assessments to me are those in which all students take paper pencil tests (multiple choice and essay assessment). These tasks are rigid and unforgiving. If the student is not proficient in writing, but has to showhis/her knowledge of science by writing a paragraph, then the assessment actually is a reflection of his/her writing disability, not sciece knowledge. Unfortunately until the mandated state/national test allow for a variety of assessmetns, it will always be a barrier. Teachers can be creative in assessments in their classrooms, but I'm not sure if traditional assessments will ever change.

UDL Reflection #5
Given the realities of our modern age and the demands of our children’s future, is it really okay to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction?

Yesterday in class we were discussing whether the kids should change for us, or we as teachers should change our teaching methods to meet their demands. There were times in my career when I have thought that the children needed to adapt to our ways of teaching, but I have had a shift in attitude and know that we need to adapt to their way of learning- that means incorporating technoligies in any way we can. I have noticed that teachers who have not been using technologies, are not keeping the students' interest and are loosing them. The old lecture and listen method needs to go. The future is technology- teaching like we use to is not preparing our kids for the future.

** Menu Assignment ** ** Appetizer- **

** Entrée- [] ** In this podcast, two experts in the field of UDL, DI and personalized learning discuss the differences in the terms and how to implement these strategies (Barbara Bray and Kathleen McClaskey). ** Dessert- **// Matt’s page: // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Principle 1: ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Weekly Reader: ** This site is the Weekly Reader online. I can’t believe it is free. The articles are current and engaging. It is easy to print for the kids or make links to the page. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Principle 2: ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** From the Read Write Think site- ** This would be great for the argument for or against banned books. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** The Persuasion Map ** is an interactive graphic organizer that enables students to map out their arguments for a persuasive essay or debate. Students begin by determining their goal or thesis. They then identify three reasons to support their argument, and three facts or examples to validate each reason. The map graphic in the upper right-hand corner allows students to move around the map, instead of having to work in a linear fashion. The finished map can be saved, e-mailed, or printed. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">[] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**// Principle 3: //** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Amap ** (creating arguments since 2008) Don’t bother with this site. I thought it would be a good one because we are looking forward to writing more arguments with the coming of Common Core. However, this site is too cumbersome and is not user friendly. It has the ability for you to type in and start an argument, but you are not really debating, others can rebut your statement too. The graphic is difficult to see. I would not use this with my class.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">children driving their learning and their learning paths.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">Personalized learning is about student centered learning environment
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">UDL gives individuals equal access to learning.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// Reading. Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants // [|//Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants//] // (course binder, tab 3) //1. According to Marc Prensky, define the term, “Digital Native.” <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// A digital native is an individual who has grown up with digital media all of his/her life. They have been surrounded by cell phones, video games and computers since birth. They are capable of multi tasking, relish instant gratification and games. // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. What does it mean to have a “digital immigrant accent”?// A digital immigrant is someone, like me, who was not weaned on cell phones, video games and computers. They infiltrated our lives and we either welcomed these strangers or shunned them in hopes they would go away. They didn’t. A digital immigrant accent is what emerges when a digital immigrant has not embraced the technology completely. It is the person who prints out emails just to have a paper copy and prints out directions from mapquest instead of using a GPS. // <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">3. Identify **one** reason why Digital Natives have no patience for lectures or step-by-step logic.// We are not teaching the way they learn. We are moving too slowly and they feel they have to “power down” when they come to school. // <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">4. What is **one** suggestion that Prensky advises Immigrant Teachers to try with their Native Students? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// He suggests going fast, less step by step and more random access. // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 5. See course binder, tab 3, page 4B. “Learning Preferences of the Digital Generation.”Select **one** entry from each side of the chart. Provide a comment as to whether you agree with the finding or not. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**// Digital Learners__:__ //**//__ Processing __//// __pictures, sounds, color and video before__ __text.__ //// By “front loading” the kids with media, they are more ready to receive the text information. // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**// Many Educators Prefer: //**// __ Providing text before pictures, sounds, color and video. __ I disagree that many educators believe this. But for those who do, I guess they believe that the graphics and media interfere with the text, not enhance it. Reading**. 60-Second Guide to Digital Classrooms** // [] **1. Highlight** 3 **interesting points shared in this article.** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**// Reading //**//. Need a Cheat Sheet for Social Media? // [|http://www.searchenginejournal.com/need-a-cheat-sheet-for-socal- media/39546/] 1. Explain in **5 – 10** sentences. Did the organization of this graphic help you compare and contrast the information, or did the organization confuse you? Why? Why not? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// To begin with, I had no idea what Digg, Tumblr and Google + were, so at a glance the graphic enabled me to see what they were all about. I liked the lingo part too. The text was organized as an overview first, then details about each and finally the circle comparison aid. Very quickly, I was able to see which device had the most impact. // **// Reading //**//. Ten ways schools are using social media effectively // [media-effectively/] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Explain your answer in 5 – 10 sentences. One of the ways a school district is utilizing social media in its schools is by using Gaggle.net. Do you think your school system would benefit from having Gaggle? Why? or Why not? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// I had never heard of Gaggle before reading this article. // Based on what it said, it sounds like a safe and secure way for students to use social media. The fact that teachers can post to their page so students can access information about lessons and then post their responses back is great. Since our school system blocks YouTube, Gaggle uses a filter that lets teachers only use what is appropriate. The filter also makes it a safe zone for kids to could be communicate, knowing that profanity will be blocked and text will be screened for threats or anything that harmful to students. Sounds like AACPS should check out this cloud based social media site.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// Technology is now a necessity, not a luxury. //
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// e-books advantages outweigh the advantages of traditional textbooks. //
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// As a cheaper alternative to purchasing college textbooks, many students are renting textbooks or even renting the ebook version for a short period of time. //