Teaching+with+Technology+Week+2+Update

This week began a crazy week of trying to get things done to prepare for our team project started in week one. The video segments viewed this week gave me a greater understanding of CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) and their purpose. Also touched on this week was the diversity of learners in today's classroom. All of these differences need to be addressed in each lesson to accomodate and reach each learner. This is something that grows more and more difficult each year. What works with one group, doesn't translate to the next so teachers must be constantly learning with their students (much like was stated in week 1). This brings me to another topic introduced this week, Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This is fascinating to me as it touches on how teachers need to customize learning with flexible tools, teaching methods and assessments. After viewing this video, I have gained a greater appreciation of how valuable technology is to today's classroom in order to reach the students that "traditional" teaching cannot in addition to making the overall learning more captivating for everyone else.

My readings this week provided more examples of how technology enhances the classroom environment. The most valuable overall reading came from //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works.// The chapter focused on this week offered ideas for establishing instructional goals for students to provide direction. My favorite was using a survey from a site such as Survey Monkey in order to "hook" the students on a new concept, find out what they know, and use it to steer the direction of instruction. This is appealing to me because as a teacher I could see what they know, what they are confused about (misconceptions), and not spend great amounts of time teaching concepts the students already know. Another added bonus is that the students could see how to read survey results, which could lend itself to a great math lesson! The other reading assignments focused on student motivation, self-esteem, and student achievement with the use of technology. Technology use can positively impact all of these areas in student learners in nontraditional groups (low achieving, at-risk, learning disabled, ESL, etc.). This was where I chose my quote for the discussion board this week, because I see the proof of this gain with my ESL students at school.