Watters

Charles Watters' page

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**Responses/Reflection to Learning Styles and CAST Website Resources** 1.In completing the learning styles survey, did you learn anything new about your personal learning style, or did the information confirm what you have already determined about how you learn best? Were there any suggestions offered for improving your study skills that you had not considered before?

As a mature student, learning styles are somewhat already set in life. I have been appreciating the hands on kinesthetic approach of learning for many years. As a retired military member, kinesthetic instruction is the premier method of learning and teaching. The suggestions stated in my survey results suggest sitting near the front while in the classroom and take notes; this is what I have always done for any classroom setting. As well, the survey results mentioned the use of diagrams with my notes; this too is something that I have done for most subjects I have taken, including drawing maps during a history or geography class.

2. What was your overall impression of the CAST website?

The CAST website is a great tool; however, as a student in the education field, this website is a refresher or reminder as opposed to new information, as most courses touch upon the same information and resources. As for an educator, this website hosts numerous pieces of the puzzle for UDL that allow a teacher to search and extract helpful hints directed to the teaching and the learning of individuals. I look forward to using it in the near future.

3.Did you find any interesting information in the electronic version of **//Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age//**? Describe how you might incorporate that information in your teaching.

Yes, however, again as a mature student I have grown with the shift of instruction from the non-digital age to the fast growing and ever-changing digital age. With this I plan on taking the ideas for digital instruction and incorporating them into my lesson plans. Once I have my own class and have found the needs of all individuals within, I will attempt through the use of digital media to reach every student. One major advantage of using digital media lesson plans is the ability to quickly alter and interact with it. Each student could potentially have access to their own monitors and through the teacher or classroom aid, manipulate the information to their own needs.

4.What was your reaction to the 2 activities in which you participated? Did you gain any new insight into your strengths and talents through these exercises?

Finding out through the survey reassured me of what method of learning is best for me. By using this in the future, I can plan on creating the best method of teaching the subject I am given and what best suits the ability of learning for all my students. The presentation from this class gave me the opportunity to practice my preparation, my speaking, and my knowledge based approach that will come in very handy in my own classroom setting.

5.Many of my students have responded quite positively to the materials at CAST. How do you feel about this approach to developing differentiated instruction?

As previously mentioned, using the tools provided through CAST allows me as a teacher to extract various tools that only help to expand and give support to the diverse individuals out there. CAST provides a great support for teachers.

6.What would you like to know/explore more at CAST?

My biggest obstacle in preparing for my role as an educator is my origins and future place of employment. It is my hope that CAST will be accessible in Canada and that the methods suggested continue to provide similar attributes to the learning of my future students.

ISTC 301/501
 * Assistive Technology**

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?

No longer are we in a world where students with disabilities must be separated and have separate curriculums created for them. With the help of modern technology Mainstreaming is now for all. All it takes is finding out what each person is in need of so they are able to participate in the class or extracurricular activities.

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?

As I reflect back the students that have received assistive devices are encouraged to master them as early as possible. So as a secondary education teacher I hope these students come ready to participate and learn with their learning technology. Having these devices enables them to continue to higher levels of learning. To look back over time to see how far we have come as a society of inclusion is what impresses me most. As well as the kids who want to attend school and learn now can. Although at first I am sure it will be challenging to develop a curriculum for all, but once done and with those students with assistive technology it will help in many ways aid me in planning.

3. What promises/potentials does technology provide for students with diverse learning needs?

As mentioned in the video, maybe by the use of assistive devices a student with disabilities may become the next great physicist or scientist. But at lower secondary education levels it just literally can open doors.

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.

No I have not been involved with a student or other person who uses assistive technology. However, my fourteen year old son is a student with autism and his mother and I have just bought a laptop computer that will be loaded with a voice to text speech program to better allow him to do his classroom and homework assignments. I look forward to helping my son with the issues at hand and helping him proceed through high school.

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?

From this assignment I shall come away with the knowledge that there are many individual students out there with a large variety of learning disabilities, but as a society we have overcome by leaps and bounds, for we have created through technology, sometimes small and sometimes large, but we have created tools and devices that better the chance that all students of all age and disabilities have the same chance at the same education. We as teachers are a part of the education and therefore we need to be open to create the lessons that can be learned by students with disabilities as well as students without.


 * This is my Virtual Fieldtrip Reaction **

Describe 2 important benefits of the whaling industry to America.

The whaling industry in America brought a way of life to a vast growing population, especially in the New England states. With the rise of the industry brought community growth and profit. The collection of whale oil lit the households of America and other parts of the world and many came up with other uses of other parts of the whale. Boning became useful in the making of clothing. Harvesting of whale blubber created a way of life as well as a very profitable business.

Describe 2 problems of the whaling industry. The whaling industry at the onset and up unti l the end had no means of regulation thus leading to its somewhat abrupt ending. Over fishing caused a dramatic decline in the whale population around the world. As for the life of the sailor and the sailor’s family, it was hard to say the least. A whaling ship could be away from home port for up to 3 years as well it was a dangerous life. Many sailors lost their lives, thus putting strain on the home front.

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 * My Glogster**

This is my Podcast, it is about where I come from. media type="file" key="Watterspodcast.mp3" width="240" height="20"

Enjoy!! [|Watters]
 * Here is a link to my ISTC Digital Story Telling.**


 * My Final Reflection**

Education and technology is no longer a ground breaking idea, I believe that every child is now growing up with some form of technology in their life. Students come to school expecting and wanting interaction with computers, IPads, etc. I have three children and they talk about the use of Smart boards and computer labs more than gym or recess and I receive emails from my children almost daily as they get computer lab time; they love to say hello.

It is an exciting time for education--there is a revolution going on. New teachers coming out of university are coming from technological advanced intuitions; they are educated in the use of technology. Many university classes now offer a variety of technology means for delivery. With this training, the student’s prior knowledge and experience, and their want for alternatives to school books all give reason for technology in the classroom. Technology can be used for: presentation of new material, a method alternative to prior ways of solving problems or demonstrating understanding, and teachers can use it as a means of classroom administration.

Technology is a powerful movement affecting all aspects of American life. The use of it in classrooms benefits students and society as a whole. Keeping in mind that teachers are not replaceable by any form of technology. The use of the internet allows teacher to reach students and patents at home. This opens up an extra mode of communication and brings the parent into the classroom program. Parents can receive emails on student’s behavior, grades, and attendance without the need to go to the school.

Although there are many great aspects of the use of technology we have to be sure to monitor what we allow our students access and do on computers or on the internet from the classroom. We all know what negativity is out there on the web; the social networks, the cyber bullying, etc. As a teacher I will insure the proper and positive use of any technology used in the classroom. I do see the need to use technology in the classroom, I hope here at your school we can teach safely and successfully with the use of it.


 * I believe my feeling of the use of technology remains the same. I have been a person involved in professional development courses and use high tech information systems. I have been in the workforce where technology is a big deal. Teaching students in school the use and methods available to them benefits them and as I said society. The need to jump on the tech-train is now. **