Kretz

media type="custom" key="11109104" After examining the CAST organization's website, there is a lot of information to process and understand for educating students. In today's digital age, there has become more tools and options for an educator in the classroom than ever before. Although not every educator agrees that technological devices should be a focus point of learning, I cannot see how the digital age would negatively effect a student's learning, so long as technology is not the only way in which the class is taught. For me personally, I thoroughly examined Chapter 3: Why We Need Flexible Instructional Media. This chapter focused mainly on the flexibility educators must have in working with all different styles of learning. They compare the positives and negatives of sing certain methods, and I was impressed with the amount of knowledge CAST provided. Looking back on the lesson, I would have to recommend this guide for educating students in the digital age to all aspiring teachers.
 * UDL Reflection**

For me personally, the survey involved with this website showed me that I mostly benefit from the “Visual/ Verbal Learning Style”. In other terms, I am to the best learning advantage when I visually observe a lesson plan with either a diagram or outline, as opposed to just reading out of a textbook. I would have to agree with the survey, for that is my favorite method of learning. I find it much easier to follow directions and be able to use a visual aid, rather than trying to memorize everything a teacher has instructed me to do. The other styles of learning include a Visual/ Non-verbal style, Tactile/ Kinesthetic, and Auditory/ Verbal. While I can see the benefits from all styles of learning, it isn’t easy to meet the needs of every student in just one classroom. Integrating all different styles presents a challenge for all educators, but comes with a very positive outcome if executed correctly.

1.) From viewing all of the websites and videos in this assignment, there was a great deal of information about assistive technology for disabled individuals. As a student with a special education major, I know how critical it can be to keep all learning options available to aid all individuals with disabilities. For example, the U.S. Department of Education mentions the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), which is designed to invest money for students with disabilities such as technology and personal development and support research. 2.) One thing that really impressed me overall was the Apple accessibility. They have multiple different assistive learning techniques designed to have a student learn at his or her highest potential. For example, the ‘Lioncourt.com’ website shows different Mac software that assists students who are visually impaired. These supportive tools continue to develop and become more efficient as technology improves, and the advances look promising. 3.) I believe there is much potential looking ahead for the future of students with diverse learning needs, especially in technology. The University of Buffalo information and resource center is an effective website to use while learning about elementary students with disabilities. Seeing this research on university websites is a promising sign of learning about new advances. 4.) A cousin of mine named Connor has significant disabilities, and I have observed him learning through technology. Watching him learn through different ways such as repetition and sounds helped him mentally develop, and to see that felt very promising. 5.) If I had to choose the main thing I took from this assignment, it would have to be the developing advances with Microsoft and Apple software. The evolution of technology came faster than most other components of life. Seeing their rapid development and possibilities for the future of students with disabilities, it gives a good sign that technology will grow even further. This past week I heard a man on the radio talking about how the new advances to the Iphone helped his visually impaired wife be able to text and make calls by using the Siri program, and it made me realize how that technology isn't just awesome to me, but it's very helpful to those who might not be able to send text messages or find information on the web on a traditional phone.
 * Assistive Technology **

Because today’s economy has weakened over the past decade, it has become tougher for schools to pass funds and grants for their students. Consequently, field trips are becoming less of a factor in the lesson plan of an educator. However, the emergence of virtual field trips is the newest tool for teachers to use with their students, and although it isn’t as effective as a traditional field trip, I believe it is the next best thing. For example, the virtual field trip of the whaling industry I experienced was very impressive. When you first go on the site, you will find a list of online exhibits they have to offer to you. I focused most of my time on the “Portraits of Ports”, which gives you an in-depth analysis of the whaling industry, city, and community. I was introduced to everything from the history of the whale industry, to the leaders and originators of the industry, to the life and culture of the voyagers. The information provided for the students on this tour is very in-depth. The only reason I would prefer a real field trip is because I find it easier to learn visually and actually witness the particular place for myself rather than just a monitor screen. At the same time, I believe both types of field trips should be valued by an educator. If a class is planning on a field trip, it is a good idea to go on a virtual field trip on the same place in which you are actually going. That way, the students will have a positive background on the information, and will be more interested in the trip, for they will become knowledgeable about what they are learning.
 * Virtual Field Trip Reflection:**

Along with the whaling industry field trip, I thought the lesson on the Lewis and Clark trail. I was unaware of the distance and discoveries accomplished on this journey. Lewis and Clark began in Washington D.C., and ultimately finished at the Pacific Ocean, around Oregon. On top of that, the journal entries in this site showed the specifics of the expedition. Being able to observe the day-in and day-out struggles of such a long trip made me realize just how special this time period was.

I believe using technology in the classroom can be a useful tool for all students to use. Although some traditional methods are still effective, the advancements made in the classroom using technology have overcome many of the learning restrictions we were originally accustomed to. For example, there are different styles of learning that are most useful depending on the students’ preference. There is the Visual/ Verbal learning style, Visual/ Nonverbal, Tactile/Kinesthetic, and Auditory/Verbal. In order to accommodate the children according to their specific learning styles without using technology, you would have to go through astounding efforts to please everyone.
 * Final Reflection:**

If technology can easily be accessed, there is no reason why all students cannot learn. For example, let’s say I’m giving a lesson on the eastern coast of the United States. The visual/verbal learners can be accommodated by projecting main points of my lesson onto the whiteboard while I lecture about the history and descriptions of the eastern states. For those that are visual but nonverbal, I can have videos and graphs available for the lesson to explain the geographical setup. For the tactile/kinesthetic learners, I can provide a link for the students to use a virtual puzzle, placing all of the states into their respective locations. Finally, I can upload podcasts for the auditory/verbal learners and ask for a summary of the topic. Although I don’t recommend getting students hooked on learning strictly through technology, it does appear as though every learning style can be accounted for.


 * I was surprised to see the different attitude I had in my original philosophy of technology being used in the classroom. While I did believe technology was useful, I have grown to realize just how much students can benefit from this resource. In the beginning of the year, I said that there is “no way of ignoring (technology), and it is easier to just accept the development of our tools and use it to our benefit.” While I am still agreeing that technology should be used, I sound much less convincing. Today, instead of just “dealing with the inevitable”, I believe educators should go out of his or her way to integrate some usage of technology, for it will benefit student of all learning styles. **


 * This is a link to my digital story **