Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology Reflection

I learned so much in this class that I will remember for the enhancement of my classroom. In this class, we were able to collaborate on a social networking site with a small group on www. ning.com. On this website, we posted resources for one another that would help the diverse learners within our classrooms. In the upcoming year, I will use these valuable resources to provide unique learning experiences for individual students. Within our social networking group, teachers teaching a variety of subjects all came together to support one another with resources that would help learners with varying backgrounds, learning preference, ability levels, and interests. Since I have many English language learners in my classroom, I will use websites posted on the social networking site by the ESL teacher to further my students’ development. I especially liked the site at www.brainpop.com, because it provides visuals, videos, and quizzes in a fun way. I learned from Bray, Brown, and Green (2004) that “technology can provide the teacher with tools that can facilitate assistance, remediation, or extended learning” (p. 16). Students with a variety of differences need “multiple ways of accessing content, multiple means for expressing what they learn, and multiple pathways for engaging their interest and motivation” (Howard, 2004, p. 26-27). The resources learned from this class and posted on my social networking site provide for students to learn in a way that meets his or her needs.

Based on research, learners learn in a different way. In fact, no two brains are exactly the same (Rose & Meyer, 2002). In my classroom, I will take measures to customize learning for my unique students. In this class, I created a survey. I will have students take this survey within the first week of school to learn more about each student right from the start. The questions vary to find out more about each student’s background, learning profile, multiple intelligence, and interest. From what I learn, I will be sure to create instruction that enhances learning for the various learners in my classroom, provide opportunities for choice, and allow student products to be geared to their preferences. With the Universal Design for Learning in mind, I must remember to remove the barriers for my students, providing a classroom that is flexible (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). I am excited for the upcoming year, because I know that I am motivated to apply my knowledge from this class to meet students where they are as individuals.

References:

Bray, M., Brown, A., & Green, T. (2004). Technology and the diverse learner: A guide to classroom practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Howard, K. L. (2004). Universal design for learning: Meeting the needs of all students. International Society for Technology in Education, 31(5), 26–29.
Retrieved from the ERIC database.

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/