Vann

media type="custom" key="11031090" align="center"

__**Learning Styles**__ My results of the learning styles test were quite interesting. It said that my scores indicate a balance of learning styles. My Visual/ Nonverbal was a 30, Visual/Verbal 30, Auditory 32, and Kinesthetic 32. Part of me finds it interesting that I ranged evenly across all four groups, while another part of me is not so surprised. In different subjects I learn different ways. In science for example, I need to see demonstrations and have hands on activities to understand the material the best. In History however, a combination of listening to lectures, reading textbooks, and taking notes helps me the most. Personally, I feel that some subjects and content areas are better understood with hands on demonstrations while others require some lecture and reading. Prior to taking this survey, I thought that I was a kinesthetic learner only. But, when I read the questions and analyzed my results, I got to thinking that I do learn in many different ways. I think this survey could be useful in the classroom. One could have their students take this survey to see what learning style best suits them. Then, the teacher can use the information to construct lessons that benefit all learners in the classroom.

__** UDL **__ I found that the CAST website was very helpful. It was full of wonderful, important, and interesting information. I found that the website was very easy to navigate and understand. The website had a lot of information that could be useful and relevant to classroom teachers. The website did a great job with explaining the learning networks and applying them to classroom situations. Although it was repetitive, I feel that it reinforced important concepts for the readers to understand. //Teaching Every Students in the Digital Age// contained a lot of interesting information. I knew that different children learned different ways but I’ve never understood how it worked within the brain. Learning about the Recognition, Strategic, and Affective networks was the most important part to me. This allowed me to understand why there is disconnect for some students in learning. Understanding the networks allowed me to see where students lack and some techniques that can be used to accommodate their needs. A portion of the information that stood out to me the most was individual differences. It is a given that there will be individual differences within a classroom. The electronic version of //Teaching Every Students in the Digital Age// shared a lot of common occurrences within the classroom. One specific example was about a student who was having family problems at home and had no motivation to complete academic work, but still demonstrated an interest in art. So, the teacher incorporated art into academic assignments. I will be making accommodations for students like these within my classroom. I feel that CAST is very well rounded. CAST is a great approach to developing differentiated instruction. This approach takes into consideration all the different learning styles and, approaches, while at the same time understanding how the brain works. The information provided to readers of the CAST website was very useful. I would be interesting in reading more about this information in order to implement it in my classroom. If more volumes like CAST came out I would definitely look into obtaining a copy for my knowledge.

__**Assistive Technology**__ After viewing the videos and the websites, I learned a lot of new information. Growing up in public schools and then staying in the system after I finished high school, I have had the opportunity to see a lot of assistive technology in the classroom. Although I have seen this, the websites provided me with a lot of information that I did not already know. I did not know that within the U.S Department of Education, there is a Special Education Technical Assistance and dissemination Network. I found this to be very interesting. I knew that Special Education was taken into consideration within the government, but I did not know that there was a network for assistive technology. Assistive technology is very important for disabled or limited students. When this technology can be provided to the students or incorporated into the classroom, all students have equal opportunity, whether they have a disability or not. My favorite site that I viewed was the Discovery Education website. The Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators was my favorite portion of these websites. On this guide it provides a list of special education resources that would be very helpful to have when teaching. Under the Special Education, counseling, and school psychology tab, there was a plethora of information that is almost necessary to have when teaching. The websites provided touch on all aspects of learning, mental, physical, and social disabilities. The website also provided links for basic study skills and habits. So, not only would this website be helpful to access information based on students with special needs, but with all the students in the classroom. This was a great website! Technology has the ability to incorporate all learning styles. Students within classrooms have diverse learning needs the must be met in order for a student to learn. Technology provides these students the opportunity to overcome learning road blocks. Students can see, read, hear, interact, and even actually use technology to portray their knowledge. It promises all students the opportunity to learn in some way. Technology is so prevalent in society today that I feel it is starting to be the norm. Prior to all this technology, a computer in a classroom would make a student stand out. However now a days, many students bring computers into the classroom. Technology is becoming the norm. More and more people find that a computer is more convenient than a notebook and a pen. Although I keep referring back to the computer, there are a number of different types of technologies such as smart boards, projectors, and over heads, that can promote all students abilities to learn within the classroom. I used to volunteer in an old folks home a year ago. Every other Saturday I would go to the location and work with the elderly. We would play games, do crafts, and even cook for them. Prior to working in the home, I had had a lot of experience with students within the public school system. I saw scribes, computers, and hearing aids that assisted the students in learning and having equal opportunity. In the old folks home though, I saw a lot of different things that I never assumed to be assistive technology, but necessary. For example, I used to work with a man who was 93 years old. He had smoked his entire life. He had to use an oxygen holder and a walker when he wanted to move about the building. This was very scary to see. This technology actually assisted him to live. He would not be able to leave a stationary spot, had he not had this technology that allowed him to transport his oxygen wherever he went. Throughout my journey of learning to become a teacher, I have kept in mind that all the students I teach will be different. The information from this assignment has allowed me to see all the help that is out there. The videos and websites will always be a resource for me to use while planning and teaching. I will use these resources now while I’m interning, and definitely later when I am in a classroom of my own. These websites will be helpful to find activities, materials, and information on how to teach and accommodate students with special needs. Although it is almost a guarantee that I will have special needs children in my classroom, it is also a guarantee that I will have on level students and gifted students. I know that it is important for a teacher to know and remember all of the students in the classroom. In saying this, I will use the information from this assignment and continue searching for other websites and helpful information.

__** Virtual Field Trips **__ Prior to this class I have never heard of a virtual fieldtrip. After exploring the idea, I think that it is very interesting, helpful, and most definitely useful. Reading text books, looking at printed pictures, and watching movies can get old for some students. We all know that students love field trips! Field trips can be very beneficial and sometimes more influential than traditional classroom learning. Although this is true, fieldtrip cost money and time. Teachers are limited with time in the classroom as it is. Taking a class on a field trip would take the time of much needed in class teaching. In saying that, this is why virtual field trips are such a fantastic alternative. These are cost and time efficient replacements for the normal out of school field trip. In my classroom, I plan to incorporate these into instruction either at the beginning or end of a unit. They could be used as a great engagement or, used to compete the unit by allowing the children to explore the information that they have been discovering. I also plan to simply provide students with these links. Even if it isn’t an assignment, some children might find it fun and entertaining to do this at home. It would be a great tool to get the students learning outside of the classroom. I think the idea of a virtual field trip is great! __** Glogster- Jean Piaget **__ media type="custom" key="11156314" align="center"

__ **Digital Story- "Sara's Summer 2011."** __ media type="custom" key="11797810" align="center"

__**Final Reflection**__ Technology is very important to the educational setting. I believe that in order for students to have the full opportunity to learn and explore knowledge, they must have access to it. Technology exists not only as a resource but as an aid for some students as well. In a classroom, the diversity of the students is endless. Some students need visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or a combination of media presented to them to understand content. By having technology in the classroom, teachers can present material through all these different aspects, resulting in meeting the needs of all students in the classroom. In my past experiences with teaching, I can say that when technology is involved in a lesson, students are more active, engaged, and excited to learn. Since these children are growing up in a technologically advanced society, it’s important that teachers remain up to date with how to work technology, and also what is available. Knowing about educational, technology based tools can benefit the teacher, their students, and overall the school. Assistive technology plays an important role in the special education scene. There are students out there who have disabilities which obviously can impact their ability to learn. But, since the society around us is so technologically advanced, there are machines, and tools that can help these students who have a disadvantage, succeed. I know that teachers can be so overwhelmed with just presenting the information to the students that sometimes they don’t focus on the best way to do it. However, if I become apart of this staff, I would be more than happy to explain the need for technology in the classroom. Even a whiteboard and a computer can turn a whole lesson around. Rather than just writing notes on the board, teachers could construct interactive presentations that would engage the students and hold their attention. I am a firm believer in the fact that technology must be existent in schools everywhere, at every grade level. By introducing students to technology at a younger age, they become familiar with the media. As students learn more about, and use more technology within the classroom, they will see the impact that it has on society alone. It would be difficult for a student to enroll in a college course having known knowledge about technology. That is why we need it in our grade school classrooms.
 * When I look back and compare my answers from then and now there are some similarities and some differences. I still have the same opinion about how important technology is in the classroom. Prior to taking this class, I still understood the need for use of technology in the classroom. The differences now are that I am more educated and aware. I now have seen first-hand the impact of technology and how assistive and necessary it can be in the classroom. When I wrote my first response about education and technology, I did not discuss ideas regarding assistive technology. I was very one sided with my ideas before. I am now well-rounded regarding the ideas of technology and its influence on education.**