Tuesday, March 19, 2013

EDLD 5364 Week Three ~ Reflection

One quote from our readings this week stood out to me.  The CAST website states "In today's schools, the mix of students is more diverse than ever. Educators are challenged to teach all kinds of learners to high standards, yet a single classroom may include students who struggle to learn for any number of reasons." (Cast.org, 2009).  Most of the time, we as educators do not take all learning styles and challenges in to account when we are designing a lesson plan.  I am guilty of not considering all learner types when I am planning training sessions.  It is not until I am asked to elaborate on a topic in a way that makes me stop and think, hmmm, I need to revise the training delivery to meet diverse needs.  The lesson builder located on the CAST website is such a great resource when creating lesson plans.  The template offers guidance to help remember the diversity of learners and guides you in incorporating accommodations for all learners.

It was interesting to read about New Tech High School model in the readings.  Through this model an entire school system can incorporate technology.  "The most important aspect of the New Tech High model is that it was developed as part of an overall education reform effort and to implement a 21st century learning environment." (Soloman & Schrum, 2007) A weakness is funding.  As with most school districts, funding is a factor when trying to incorporate technology.  Technology isn’t reasonably priced. The size of schools is growing in leaps and bounds, most districts simply can’t afford technology integration.  The videos of Cameron and Luis are great examples of simple, inexpensive ways to integrate technology.  Students that are invested in their learning tend to be more interested in learning.

This week’s assignment was very challenging for me.  I had to research to understand most of the assignment.  I am more knowledgeable today about diverse student needs and learning.  And I will remember the CAST principles and design when creating and designing my next training session.


Cast.org (2009). Center for Applied Special Technology. Retrieved on March 11, 2013,Retrieved from http://cast.org  

Edutopia.org (nd). Digital Youth Portrait -- Cameron. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-profile-cameron-video

Edutopia.org (nd). Digital Youth Portrait -- Luis. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-profile-luis-video

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: New ools, New Schools. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, 77-98.

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