Blog #8 - UDL Engagement

 Blog #8 - UDL Engagement
        The way that students learn now days is different than ever before. It used to be that a teacher would teach a lesson and students would sit at their desks quietly and then complete a worksheet. My how the times have changed! Teaching has become much more student based and hands on. The flipped classroom is becoming more common, when students go over material at home and then come to class to clarify content learned and apply it to real life situations. A webquest is a perfect way to way to incorporate a flipped classroom. By participating in a webquest students can learn content at their own pace have one-on-one instruction and stay engaged.
       A study performed by Janet Strickland, State University of West Georgia compared the use of WebQuests with traditional instruction. I was surprised by the results, the summary of the study concluded that webquests are not ideal for every lesson. While webquests are a wonderful tool for integrating technology into a classroom and adding variety to instruction, teachers need to be mindful of the content they are covering and make sure that the webquest supports their inquiry arch.
       I plan to use webquests in my future classroom. I can see how it can be effective with differentiation and accommodations as well as keeping students engaged. With all teacher tools there is a time and place to use a webquest.

Work Cited 
 Strickland, J., & Nazzal, A. (2005). Using webquests to teach content: Comparing instructional strategies. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education [Online serial], 5(2) Retrieved from http://www.citejournal.org/volume-5/issue-2-05/social-studies/using-webquests-to-teach-content-comparing-instructional-strategies

Blog #7 - Why Coding?

Why Coding?

      Kids now days use technology in all aspects of their lives and they are good at it. Coding is a great way for students to apply their math and science lessons into a real world, hands on application. As a teacher having students code can be integrated into many lessons, having students participate in groups, researching and presenting a topic using a coding system like SNAP. 

      A teacher in Onslow County, North Carolina, Gretchen Robinson uses robots with students at Northwoods Elementary School of Technology and Innovation:

      "Robinson sees students’ willingness to engage, to collaborate and to work on a lesson for as long as it takes to understand the content as positive signs of learning. “They want to work with the robot for as long as possible,”    Robinson said. “Every time their lesson is done they’re disappointed.” She’s also quizzed students on content after they’re done working with the robot and has found them to have a greater grasp of the information."

      My goals as a teacher is to engage my students while giving them hands on experiences that they will use in the real world. I also want to build their self esteem as they build and code their robots. Students get a sense of pride and accomplishment with their finished products. 

ISTE Standard

1) Empowered Learner- Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

Works Cited

KQED News

Blog #6 - UDL Action & Expression (Summative)

UDL Action & Expression (Summative)

        What kid doesn't want to control a robot? With technology in the world becoming more present in our everyday lives it is important for students to know how they work and be comfortable with using them. Using Finch Robots is a wonderful way for students to experiment with technology.
       For example, in Chicago "... CPL is the first library in the nation to lend out Finch Robots, which were invented by the Carnegie Mellon University Create Lab as a user-friendly introduction to computer science learning and the art of programming. Finch Robots support more than a dozen of the most commonly used computer languages and environments, including several appropriate for students as young as 8 years old."
      If a student can play a video game they are capable of using Finch Robots and writing code. My goal is to connect the Finch Robots with a standard students can either work together  in groups or on their own to make a presentation. Students will have completed a complex task without even realizing it because they are having fun. Students will see that they are capable of doing hard things, they will feel empowered.

Works Cited

https://www.chipublib.org/news/finch-robots-land-at-cpl/

#5 UDL Action and Expression

Why is UDL important ?

Many studies show that the more senses a student can use the more connections they will make to a subject. The article discusses UDL and the ways in which students can be offered choices and options that engage and give them opportunities to practice skills that they learn.

Principle 2 :Action and Expression can be in my classroom as an assessment. By using the different media such as Wordle, Answer Garden, Popplet, Storybird, etc. the students are able to show me what they know rather than tell me what they know. This is a stress free way for students to be creative and share what they have learned. A great think about this sort of assessment is that I, as a teacher, can see what a student has understood and fill in any gaps that they may have from a lesson. My goal as a teacher is not only to help students to make as many connections as possible but allowing them to express the connections they have made. 

Works Cited

Rao, Kavita and Caroline Torres. "Supporting Academic and Affective Learning Processes for English Language Learners with Universal Design for Learning." TESOL Quarterly, vol. 51, no. 2, June 2017, p. 460. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=123649455&site=eds-live.