EDLD+5364+Course+Embedded+Reflections

 EDLD 5364 REFLECTION
====The Universal Design for Learning follows the universal design used in architecture and engineering. The premise that design engineered and implemented to help people can be beneficial for all. The research indicates that student performance on standardized tests increased when there was a technology enriched learning environment. Research also shows that students concept of self or self-esteem is enhanced in a technology integrated learning environment. I have seen in my professional career the importance of self worth on the performance of a student. Students that are not achieving feel left out, consequently they exhibit behavior that impedes their leaning and the learning of others. ====

==== The Universal Design for Learning emphasizes three pertinent areas. The first being the diverse needs of learners. We all process information differently and therefore learn differently. We as educators need to  find individual learning needs and apply research based methods of teaching to these diverse styles. We then need to find different ways that a student can show his mastery of the material. These could be portfolios, work samples, blogs or wikis, and standardized tests. There are many ways a student can show mastery or proficiency of a skill. The last area was the design of instruction that engages student interest and motivates them to learn. This goes hand in hand with behavior supports. Students learn when interested and are involved in hands on projects. ====

==== I learned from the readings that through the use of technology we can design instruction to meet individual learning styles and diverse student populations. We can set goals that are attainable and measureable. These goals are to be aligned with current educational standards. We can assess the progress towards these goals by a variety of assessment tools that allow the student to show aptitude and achievement of the material. The most important information I took from the videos and readings was the three networks described in the Universal Design for Learning. The recognition, strategic, and affective networks were difficult at first for me to wrap my mind around. I understand these three networks to be the primary brain networks. ====  The recognition network is how we gather facts and process information and data. The strategic network is the actually output of our ideas after we process the information. They gave examples of solving problems and writing essays as the strategic network. The affective network is how the student gets motivated or engaged to learn.

 Another point to this whole concept is the differentiated learning styles and the different way of expressing mastery of content material. “Also learning, and transfer of learning, occurs when multiple representations are used, because it allows students to make connections within, as well as between, concepts (CAST.org, 2009).” We must find and offer options to learning as well as assessments to meet the needs of a diverse student population.  **The readings and videos made me focus on the way we are teaching and that we must change, the entire model of schools as we know them. We need to go from teacher directed learning to student centered project based learning. Along with that we need to allow assessment to really show us what we want to know.**  ** We also need to change the way we assess our students. The current model of one size fits all does not work. It does not work with ways we learn or the ways we assess learning. We need to abandon the old school model and allow our students to engage in collaborative and cooperative project based learning experiences. These will be in healthy learning environments conducive to intellectual growth. The result of these learning experiences can be assessed by a demonstration of knowledge and skills in a particular. ** CAST.org (2009). Model UDL Lessons. Center for Applied Special Technology. Retrieved on March 14, 2012, from []
 * We need to educate our students to meet the challenges they will face in their lives. We need to expose them to social and emotional learning. We need to provide student centered, project based learning in a healthy learning environment. We currently do not have this in many schools. **


 * Papert, S. (2001, November 1). ** //**Project Based Learning: An Overview **//**. Retrieved from Edutopia: ** **<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> [|**http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-overview-video**] ** **<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">on March 21, 2012. **

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology that in the classroom instructions that works.

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: New tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: International Societyfor Technology in Education, 168-176. Edutopia.org (nd). //Big thinker: Paul Gee on grading with games.// Retrieved on Oct. 5, 2009 from [] Group Site: [|https://sites.google.com/site/edutechgroup12/teaching-with-technology/team-reflection][|s]