Teaching+with+Technology+Week+2+Update

Week 2 Update ** The readings this week were more challenging for me due to fact that many of the readings were about specific studies. I did however enjoy the reading from the text, __Using Technology with Classroom Instructions that Works__, by Piltler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski and the videos which described the Universal Design for Learning. The UDL form of learning, created by CAST requires teachers provide multiple ways to learn, multiple ways to test the learning and multiple ways to engage students to a higher level of learning. This type of learning reminded me of the “Working on the Work” framework for designing lessons created by Phillip Schlechty. This format for lesson design has been embraced by my school district and focuses on the learner being engaged in learning. It is clear that today’s student learns differently; therefore teaching needs to change. It makes sense that students learn in different manners so the use of UDL will allow students to have many opportunities to learn the information in a form which the student is able to learn. When looking into the CAST organization further, I was excited to see a web site, UDL Editions by Cast, which allows students to read digitally and allows for time to “think” about what they are reading. This tool would be very helpful to teachers in that students would be able to read at their own pace, answer questions about the reading at their own level and use the resources embedded into to the book when vocabulary was difficult. The readings this week also focused on studies, across the board explained that engagement increases with technology, test scores improve and students developed a more positive attitude toward the school environment.
 * Teaching with Technology

In the reading of Chapter 1, from __Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works__ by Pilter, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski; I learned the importance of setting clear objectives that are communicated to the students. Not only to set objects but to ensure the objects are clear and “allow students flexibility in personalizing the learning objectives or goals”1 Technology is a tool that will allow teachers to have students set goals through word processing, blogs and other web resources. The reading gave great examples of how to use word processing to allow students create charts and graphs that focus on the learning objects stating what they currently know, what they want to know and how they will learn. Another point in this chapter was to “create a learning contract”2 to ensure the students are taking the learning personally and setting goals for themselves. What a great life skill to teach to the students.  1. Pitler, Howard, Hubbell, Elizabeth, Kuhn, Matt, and Kim Malenoski. __Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works__. Denver, CO: MCREL: 2007  2. Pitler, Howard, Hubbell, Elizabeth, Kuhn, Matt, and Kim Malenoski. __Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works__. Denver, CO: MCREL: 2007