NETS-2 Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments: I clearly am seeking direction in implementing this as a more effective part of my teaching practice to a higher level of competency and confidence.
Under the resource guidlines from NETS-2, #3 reads: I develop and use digital tools and resources to effectively differentiate content, process and product for students in order to meet their individual learning needs and preferences.
Upon clicking at the provided link, I found an amzing resource, http;//udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com. UDL is an acronym for Universal Design Learning. The purpose of UDL is to provide more variety and accessability to academic tasks for all students. The home page provides links based on all content areas. Within these content area links, I found so many exciting tools to assist my students, that I actually was wishing school was in session(briefly). Especially exciting for me was the toolkit of ideas in the content area of study skills. As a casemanager for students with mild/moderate and some moderate/severe students, I have always been on the hunt for activities and resources that will help my students to maintain a firm hold in their general education classes with their like peers. Studying can be a painful task for students who struggle with developmental and/or processing delays. Often times, the students that I work most closely with, begin to develop frustrations with their academics as they begin to notice that other students are able to get answers with more ease and can complete tasks in a shorter amount of time. I need to increase my resources for different study tools. Flashcards, for example, appear antiquated and childish to the student who at 12, is already on probation and academically fragile. I found this great tool called HeadMagnet. Students can create an account and then develop lists of things that they find difficult to remember and then the site works with them to improve their skills in remembering and memorizing this information! Lists can be everything from vocabulary words to dates and times. I could easily use this sit as a classroom tool in a Learning Center. When students come into the Learning Center, I can have them spend time on the HeadMagnet website to practice math, language arts concepts and even input some social skills strategies if the student is on a behavior support plan!
Another benefit of the UDl site that I am so enthused about, is that is provides me an amazing opportunity to conduct some prefessional development for other staff on my site. Many of my colleagues have not come to fully emabrace the idea of differentiation. Many students I work with and casemanage struggle with classes due to the fact that their instructors are firmly set on not budging from their syllabus of ten years. one of my jobs includes serving as an advocate for my students. However, I do not find it an effective strategy, to approach a 'firmly gripped" staff member and yell at them that they need to modify their curriculum and to remind them of the federal laws around students with disabilities. I can think it, but it doesn't really pull the action I need to see for the kids. Alternatively, it is far more effective if I build upon my skills to "infiltrate from within" so to speak and to support my colleagues in perspective changing. One of the best ways to do this is through the use of presentations at PLC meetings or staff development days. I also like to arrange one-on-one meetings with more challenging staff members, bring their favorite lunch, and discuss ways to promote success for my students. In this way, I discover that generally, their lack of flexibility is really due to a lack of knowledge or training in what to do. This UDL Wiki, elates me as to the possibilities it provides to educate staff as well provide them easy, free tools. I also ensure them that I will be in their rooms working right along side with them.
I think that I may be growing a bit today in my friendship with technology! I actually feel like I opened a present...A present that I have wanted.
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