Bush

Hi! Welcome to my page! My name is Mackenna. media type="custom" key="10757732" align="center"

**UDL Personal Learning Style:**
**Visual/Nonverbal 34 Visual/Verbal 28 Auditory 18 Kinesthetic 34** My scores indicate a balance of multiple learning styles. I found that I am a visual learner as well as a kinesthetic learner. I found that I learn best when I see written information and my professors are using a blackboard or projector to present information while offering extra guidance. The survey was very on point, for I do benefit from my class notes and often rely on them to obtain information to study for my exams. I am a very good note-taker. I see my information in my "minds eye", which is very true. While I study my notes I tend to highlight key information, and use flashcards. Then while taking my exam, I "see" the information written out in my head. This falls into the suggested learning strategies that the site offered for a learner of my particular learning style. Like I said I am an avid flashcard user for it embeds important information into my brain while giving it a sense of visuality that I can recall later on while taking a test or referencing for a project. When I see diagrams, graphs or visuals, say in a text book or in a presentation, I write down explanations for them in a literary context. This is very true. The survey also suggested that I benefit from computer print outs of notes, definitions and other information. I can't tell you how many times I make my own "study sheets" via Microsoft Word and print them out and reference it to study. Also since I represent Kinesthetic Learning as well, I tend to arrange my flashcards in correct sequence and order. For example, in a history class I'll arrange my flashcards in chronological order and remember them based on where they fall in the deck; beginning, middle or end, which helps me remember. I was very surprised how on point this survey was, and it also suggested other things that will improve my studying and benefit me in the long run.

**Assistive Technology Assignment:**
**1. From visiting the websites and viewing the videos in Part I of the assignment, what information did you learn about assistive technology for disabled individuals?** I learned many valuable tools and strategies that can be used in today’s teaching world when assisting a child with special needs. I really enjoyed the videos for they showed the technology that students are enabled to use. Those with Cerebral Palsy are able to get around based on the needs of an electric wheelchair, use voice-activated software to complete written assignments and progress at the same rate of other able-bodied students. **2. Were there any sites, products, or resources that particularly impressed you and that you want to remember as you prepare to become a classroom teacher?** The second website offered, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, really helped me out specifically by offering teaching resources that are organized based on content area. I am a History major along with Secondary Ed and found a lot of the U.S. History resources extremely helpful. Videos of Eleanor Roosevelt to documents on World War II really could, and will, be used in my future classroom. They also offer resources on other content areas from art, music, health and even physical education. The atto.buffalo.edu site, School of Public Health and Health Professions, also offered similar resources but designed in different ways. They offer the Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) which provides basics, tutorials, resources, decision making, and project information. These offer tips of the trade and easy ways to accommodate a child with special needs. **3. What promises/potentials does technology provide for students with diverse learning needs?** It enables students who have special needs or are disabled to progress at the similar rates as those students without special needs. The use of the latest technology allows students to achieve college degrees, and even learn the same material that the average student learns every day. **4. Have you ever had a personal experience with a student or other person who has used some form of assistive technology to help them function in learning or everyday life? If so, describe what you observed from that experience in terms of meeting the special needs of those individuals.** I am a nanny for a 12 year old boy with special needs. He has multiple behavioral disorders and a few learning disabilities. I remember last year, in the 5th grade, he used an AlphaSmart. An AlphaSmart is a portable keyboard that is battery powered, and enabled him to take notes or write paragraphs and essays “on the go.” When asking him if he liked the device he said he loved it, it “made things easier.” **5**.**From this assignment, what will you carry with you as you prepare to become a teacher – one that will, most likely, face the challenge of meeting the needs of special education students along with non-disabled learners?** I was always aware that there was technology out there that is being used every day, but due to my lack of exposure my knowledge of WHAT those technologies are was limited until viewing these websites and videos. I plan on working with my students individually to see what they need to make them the most successful they can be. There is no excuse for a student to lag behind with all these available technological advances, while keeping in mind that every student is different and every student learns differently. I really enjoyed the National Public Website on Assistive Technology, because you can browse the products by function and purpose and they offer over 22,000 products! This way I will always have ideas and options at my disposal to possibly suggest to a student’s parent, aid, or IEP team.

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 * Virtual Field Trips: **


 * 1)** One benefit of the whaling industry is for the actual meat of the whale, especially in Alaska where culturally eating whale meat is common and accepted. Also, hunting whales benefit s scientific research that helps the discoveries of ecological changes and contaminants.


 * 2)** A huge problem with the whaling industry which may be pretty obvious and noticeable, is the risk of endangering the species, or driving them to extinction. This also changes whale patterns throughout our bodies of water, causing geological and ecological shifts in nature. Also many organizations are starting to question the ethical morality of whaling, considering the intelligence of the animals and their similar morality to us as humans. Is this humane? Many ethical considerations are starting to appear, putting a major hiccup in the industry.

I found the Virtual Fieldtrips to be extremely beneficial and a good tool to use in the classroom. It enables students to focus in on a core topic with interest and intrigue. What student wants to sit still for 60-80 minutes listening to a lecture with the high chance of drifting off and straying away from the content? Virtual Fieldtrips are a good multimedia tool to teach core concepts in an eclectic and stimulating way. Having visuals are often encouraged for the student can put a concept or fact and connect it with a literal example. Text books can only go so far, but with the use of this new tool one can further their explorations and branch off into many different areas of focus.

My podcast - Edgar Allen Poe's "A Dream Within a Dream" media type="file" key="MackennaBushPodcast.mp3" width="240" height="20"

THE FINAL REFLECTION: In reply to the principal’s question, I would make it known that technology has been shown evident to increase student’s attention and interest in almost any content area taught in schools today. I believe that the new technology we have in the classroom has opened up so many doors to what can be achieved academically in the classroom. No more writing papers with pens, or reading lectures and answering questions – we now have the ability to engage in games, trivia, visual learning, and hands on learning, all through the use of technology. We learned that everyone learns differently; whether they’re auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learners. Technology enables ALL OF THEM to use what they know and expand on it, while explore other possibilities.

 Before the use of this technology students would often lose focus, day dream, or learn the bare minimum of the lesson. I can openly admit that during my days in secondary schooling we were on the brink of new technology, but it had yet to be fully enforced and developed. Therefore, my current knowledge of the content is minimal, for I just remembered what I needed to know to pass any assessment. However, even in college, I personally have been exposed to much more interesting ways of learning; through the use of smart boards, projectors, software that allows me to create unique lesson plans, and even iPads that I’ve seen multiple professors of mine use in lessons! All of these tactics have given me the ability to remember important information, instead of easily forget. Imagine the possibilities for our future generations with the access to these advances. It’s one thing to walk out of a classroom “sort of” remembering what just happened; it’s another to walk out without the ability to forget what you just did, and how much you enjoyed doing it. **My beliefs from the beginning of this course, ISTC 301, until now are generally the same though they are supported even more now with more evidence and further belief. I always knew technology was vital, especially in today’s world. However, I now can further justify my belief and offer personal experiences I’ve had with technology in our classroom. Making a Glogster to creating Podcasts really sparked ideas for me to use in my future classes, that are more fun and innovative. School shouldn’t be a place student’s dread going to every morning; it should be a center of fun ideas and exploration!**

**This is my digital story** media type="custom" key="11845174" align="center"