Course Reflection

Walden’s course, EDUC 6714, has definitely reaffirmed how important technology is in meeting the needs of diverse students. In the DVD, “Reaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology”, Dr. Stephanie Throne and Dr. Grace Smith (2007) explain the “benefits of technology in meeting the needs of diverse learners”. They explain that technology helps to keep students’ attention, gives them a chance to create real-world experiences, and prepares them for the future. Many of today’s students know more about technology than the classroom teachers. Not only does technology make learning fun, but it has become a necessity for the future workplace.

This course has introduced me to the Universal Design for Learning (UDL).According to www.cast.org , “UDL is a framework that can help you turn the challenges posed by high standards and increasing learner diversity into opportunities to maximize learning for every student. This framework to learning is definitely a resource that I will implement into my instructional strategies. In learning about the principles of UDL, I have better learned to teach information through a variety of instructional means. All students learn differently. My classroom consists of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Technology will help me in reaching all types of learners. Whether my students are viewing a PowerPoint, listening to a Voice Thread, or creating a concept map, they can learn the same information while I better meet their needs. Technology also allows me to provide adjustable formats for those students that need it. Providing options for my students is also something that technology allows me to do. I will continue to allow my students to choose their means of research and activities. Technology helps to keep my students engaged in learning. Every students in unique and has different interests.

Social networking has not been something that I have been accustomed to using in the classroom. The differentiated learning assignments have given me an opportunity to learn from others and to share my ideas. My group used twitter to share thoughts and ideas from the course. I feel like I have really gotten to know some of the other students. I also gathered some valuable resources that I will use in the future. Most of my students are very familiar with social networking. I am very excited about using this as a tool for learning.

Surveys are definitely something else that I have realized are very important in getting to know my students. In this course, I have learned how to customize my own survey. Students differ in interest, learning styles, intelligences, and learning profiles. Creating a survey using www.surveymonkey.com helps me in better meeting the needs of my students.

This course has given me helpful information that I will use to reach my students. As a teacher, I am a constant learner. While I am a facilitator, I also want my students to realize that we are a team and are all working toward a common goal. As I slowly integrate more technology into my classroom, my students will create electronic portfolios. This will serve as an assessment as well as a showcase that they can be proud of. My goal is for my classroom to be a place where my students are excited about learning and are challenged as individuals.

References:
Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal design for learning. Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/ .

Survey Monkey. (2010). Retrieved from www.surveymonkey.com .

Throne, S. & Smith, G. (2007). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology,Laureate Education, Inc, DVD.