Technology and Universal Design for Learning

This image always comes to mind when I am thinking about UDL and my students. I always need to be reminded that everyone learns differently and I need to do my best to accommodate their needs. My decisions should be made on what is easiest for me. The students are always my main focus.


This weeks readings at videos was exactly what my theme for my blog has been and it continued to give me more information. When planning lessons I always try to plan them for diverse learners a head of time however, that is not always possible. When trying to plan using the modules it becomes very difficult to meet the needs of all learners. However, this is so crucial to making all students successful in the classroom setting.

The UDL website had a lot of good information and informed me of things I was unaware of. Being a new teacher I feel as there is always room for me to learn and grow. I found the UDL Examples and Resources page the most beneficial for me. Click here to find that page. This week I made the shift from a general education classroom to a 12:1:1 Special Education classroom. As I sat down this weekend to make my lessons plans for the week, I tried extremely hard to using UDL to increase diversity in my lessons a head of time. This week I gave my first assessment to my new students and realized that I did not plan enough for the diversity. Most of my students have testing modifications that all the test to be read to them. I figured I would give the test and they would take it. However, I needed to read every question to them as well as the reading passage. Had the questions and passage been at their level that wouldn't have been necessary. However, that was not that case. Also, when looking at UDL I now know that my students need to see the test many different ways. I need to display pictures and the text on the document camera as well as it being in front of them. Some students found it easier to look at the smart board while I read the passages a loud.

As I continue to plan and meet the needs of my students it will be important for me to include many different ways for students to show their learning and way to give them information. I know it is a bit of a stretch but ultimately, I would like for everyone lesson to include a hands on component, auditory, and visual. I know for me the hands on component is always the toughest. However, I am learning that activities and little as having students cut brownies to show fractions can help that tactile learner be more successful. Also, not every assessment has to be written down. I like when I can give an assessment like a conversation. Students are more open and can often share way more information than when the write.

Lastly, my students are studying the water cycle and they have fallen in love with a water cycle rap. It is constantly stuck in my head and the students beg everyday to listen to it. Click here to listen to this fun song.

Technology and Early Childhood Education

Unfortunately, I don't have any experience working in Early Childhood Education but after reading this weeks articles I found a lot of useful information. The first article, Technology and Early Childhood Education: A Technology Integration Professional Development Model for Practicing Teachers, touched a lot on how teachers can incorporate technology. It is very true that the world is changing and students are introduced to technology sooner than before. Even at the Elementary level I have to remind myself that students have had years working with technology. I often find myself using very little technology in the classroom. Typically, I use the Smart Board for lessons and that is it. When thinking about that, I am keeping my kids without technology for most of the day. Most of my students have a phone or an iPod. Taking these technologies away from the students for the whole day is very difficult. When looking at technology with younger students it is important to find a good balance in the use of technology. During my time working in a first grade class the students were using iPads on a daily basis. They could read on them and play different type of math games on them. I completely agree with the article when it discussed the amount of technology all depends on the teacher. Being a long term substitute I am usually stuck using the technologies that the  regular teacher is using. However, having my own classroom I can not wait to find a way to incorporate technology in all of the daily activities.

The second website Earlychildhood NEWS had a variety of links that were very useful. One blog I found very interesting was information on Activities for Indoor and Outdoor play, At the Early Childhood Education level play is a huge part of students growth and development. A teacher is able to gain great insight into your students. This blogger had a lot of information on both indoor and outdoor play. She also went in depth about the learning outcomes for the activities. It was great to get the backing as to why these activities are good for younger children. I was most interested to read about the bean bag activities and all of the benefits they have for children. Also, from the website I was able to get a better understanding of making sure the programs are ready for the students. When looking at UDL it would be important to make sure the programs and uploaded and easily accessible. It should be as easy as hitting a button for the student to gain access. A lot of time can be taken up trying to get students on to a program. Having them already up and ready to go will take away a lot of the wait time. We all know that wait time is the perfect time for students to get into trouble so it is important to minimize that.