EDLD+5364+-+Week+3

Throughout this week's course of study, the main emphasis has been utilizing technology (and, in general, good teaching techniques) to better reach students on an individual and meaningful level. The videos, readings, and activities for this week have stressed the idea that a one-size-fits-all classroom is not the answer and that today's students must be challenged, listened to, and understood if they are to truly learn in the classroom. Through the readings, several ideas about student engagement and differentiation were stressed. In __Using Technology with Classroom Strategies that Work__, Pitler stresses teachers to ask themselves questions about strategies that will aid students in applying and reviewing their learning, exhibiting their knowledge, and acquiring and implementing information in the classroom. In short, it is not enough to present information to students; today's learner needs to be given the tools to continue learning throughout their life and to apply what they have learned to real-world situations. In __Web 2.0__, Solomon and Schrum stress that this new way of educating students, specifically with technology, must occur at two levels: both the student and the teacher must change their role in the world of education for technology to truly work and increase student productivity and success.

Most helpful in this week's lessons, in my opinion, were the CAST websites, videos, and tools. The Center for Applied Special Technology has developed the Universal Design for Learning so that all students are reached in a way that is meaningful and relevant to them and their learning style and ability. UDL is truly remarkable in the fact that it takes into account the three different brain networks that come together to promote learning. The recognition network deals with facts and information acquisition. UDL focuses on the importance of presenting information in a variety of ways (e.g. video, audio, documents, hands-on activities) to ensure that each student is able to receive information in a way that best suits their learning style. The strategic network of the human brain deals with the organization of knowledge and the planning/presentation of information. Strategic network planning through the UDL models involve giving students flexibility in the way they choose to receive and present the knowledge they have acquired. In addition, this brain network requires timely feedback from the teacher to ensure that understanding of concepts is quickly assessed and reinforced. Finally, UDL stresses the importance of reaching students at the affective level through engaging and meaningful activities. It is vital to tie learning to something that is relevant and interesting to ensure that students are engaged and not just going through the motions of learning.