Lisa+Lynch

= Lisa Lynch 2012 Spring Semester at Towson University = = = = = = = = =

= = =** This is my html for my ISTC 301class **= . media type="custom" key="12702418" align="center"

= = = __** Learning Styles and CAST Website Resources Reflection **__ = = = In completing my leaning survey I was surprised by the results. I had taken a learning styles survey about two years ago and at that time my result was auditory. The results of this survey indicated that I now have a balance in learning styles. My numbers were 26, 20, 23 and 26. The survey offered many suggestions that will assist me and advance student learning. For instance, to use the blackboard or projector, incorporate color coding, use flash cards, illustrations, and symbols. My overall impression of the cast website is that it has ample resources to assist educators with differentiation instructions. Also, the cast site to be address the one-size fits all idea of curriculum by following the Universal Design of Learning. Cast values the UDL principles and providing information to support multiple means of representation, multiple means of action and expression, and multiple means of engagements.

I believe that the electronic version of **//Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age//** is user friendly and informational. The focus that I was interested in was the strategic networks because I was always curious why two people can be observing a piece of art and see two completely different things. As the result, I learned that the strategic networks start with our eyes scanning something and then proceeding into a multi-step process. This process includes identifying the goal (the purpose), designing a plan (deciding what to do with what we see), executing the plan, self-monitoring, and correcting or adjusting. As a future educator, I will carry this with me and when planning instruction realize that not all students may understand concepts just because they may see them differently than I and I need to present content in multiple formats to ensure that I am meeting the needs of the students.

I found the two activities to be interesting and insightful. For instance, the picture activity used me as an example to reveal the three networks. Proving to me that the recognition networks identify what I am seeing. Next, the strategic networks identify how long and what needs to be examined. Lastly, the activity showed me how my interest, back ground and state of mind determined how carefully I would examine the picture. The second activity reinforced my prior knowledge that it is imperative to know my students strengths, weakness, abilities, and interest to determine and meet their needs.

The cast website is an excellent source that can assist me in my approach to developing differentiated instruction. I believe this because they have already identify resources that can help educators facilitate learning within the classrooms. Tools such as: glossaries, tutorials, templates, literature, lesson plans, and activities are connected to the UDL Principles and State Standards.

However, I would still like to learn more about setting-up my own classroom web page. I would like the webpage to have resource links, homework, objectives, activities, announcements, and showcase students work. Also, this page can help parents understand what their students are learning and give them guidance about what is expected of their children. Furthermore, it will help bridge the gap between school and home and allow students whether at home or at school to take pride and responsibility for their learning.

= = = = =** ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY REFLECTION **=

From visiting the websites and viewing the videos I learned that assistive technology is any items, equipment, or product systems that are used to increase, maintain, or improve a person’s functional capabilities. Also, assistive technology can assist persons with autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, loss of mobility, loss of limbs, and countless other disabilities. They can help such persons with hearing, seeing, speech, writing, coordination, and manipulating objects. Furthermore, introducing exceptional children to assistive technologies in their early years encourages them to continue to overcome adversities associated with their disabilities and master necessary devices.

As I move into the classroom, I like to remember certain assistive technologies that I can incorporate to facilitate student learning. For instance, easy grip scissors can help students who struggle with their fine motor skills. Additionally, using I Pads, Smart Boards, mobile grips with pictures, voice recognition devices, voice activated devices, and talking calculators. I believe as an educator students are only as successful as your expectations and the resources you provide.

Students may have limitations but it does not mean they are not capable to be active participants in their learning. Evidence of this was in the video, “Assistive Technology Enabling Dreams.” The young lady in the video showed that she uses assistive technology to create, write papers, communicate, and mobility. She is evidence that if students are given the tools they can thrive and fulfill their dreams.

I have had a lot of experience with assistive technology in my home. My mother is partially deaf in both ears. It was discovered when she was in her early grades in elementary school. Once this was discovered she was taken out of the regular school and place in a special needs school where she learned how to read lips. Still after several childhood surgeries she needs to wear two hearing aids to hear. Also, in 1971, my father lost his left arm up to his elbow in a paper company accident. I have never seen my father with two arms. However, my father has used a prosthetic arm with a hook. I have always said I have seen my father do more and use his creativity more than any man that has two good arms.

From this assignment, I will take with me that because of law students are now inclusive. That mean even though I am not a special needs teacher; I could have a student or students with disabilities. Also, children with special needs are just like the rest of us because I believe we all have something unique about us. Sometimes you can see it and sometimes you can’t. But as a teacher it is imperative that I set reasonable expectations, achievable goals, and give the students they need to achieve their best.

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= ** * Problem Based Learning Poster * ** =

= ** Virtual Field Trips ** =

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I firmly believe that any resource that can enhance student learning should be considered by educators. In today’s economy, many school systems cannot provide the funds necessary for local field trips, not alone out-of-state field trips. Also, how many times can you take students to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, The Baltimore Science Center, The Baltimore Zoo, and The Walter’s Art Gallery? ======

However, these challenges can be met by introducing students to virtual fieldtrips. There are many advantages to including virtual fieldtrips into the curriculum. To start with, virtual fieldtrips exposes students to content that realistically they could not visit because it is too far away or is too expensive. Students can experience the save level education through interactive activities, audio and visuals, and virtual tours. Just a few virtual fieldtrips can include unlimited amounts of knowledge. For instance, taking a virtual fieldtrip detailing Lewis and Clark’s travels can be woven into the curriculum though geography, social studies, or history. Or you can examine artifacts by taking a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. I expect to use technology as a resource wherever possible. One of the ways that I can utilize computer technology is to introduce my students to content that otherwise would not be available to them through virtual fieldtrips. = =

= = =__** Check out my movie of The War of 1812 and The Battle of Baltimore **__=

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= = = = at  = = [|ISTC301 / War of 1812]  = = =

= __** Final ISTC.301.101 Reflection by Lisa Lynch **__ =

// Scenario: //
You find yourself at a job interview for your first teaching position in a public school (of your appropriate grade level). As you are talking to the principal, you ask how much technology is available in the school (i.e. labs, computers in classrooms, interactive whiteboards and the like) and how much emphasis is placed on teachers’ using technology in their teaching. The principal says, “Oh, yes, the teachers have whiteboards and computers in their rooms, but some teachers don’t like them and don’t use them very much. Why do you ask?” So you’re put on the spot, in a sense, to explain why you feel it is important to have up-to-date technology in the school and for teachers to use technology in teaching and in student learning.


 * SO**, how are you going to reply to the principal’s query? What will you say about your beliefs in the importance of teaching with technology? Think about some of the knowledge you’ve acquired in this class this semester and some of the issues we’ve discussed, then compose here a reply to the principal’s question. Your answer should be thorough and in good paragraph form (remember this is a job interview) - at least a half-page to full-page length (2 or three well-developed paragraphs). Then, stop and compare your answer here to what you wrote at the beginning of the semester in terms of your beliefs in the importance of technology in education. Have those beliefs changed at all as a result of taking this class? Answer this question at the end of your response - you might want to bold the text or highlight it to set it apart from the rest of the text.

// Response: //
It is important for educators to have up-to-date technology in the classroom and to use that technology in teaching and in student learning because technology connects content to the real world. Today’s students are of the digital age; meaning that if they were born in the last 10 years they have not experienced a world without technology. They play interactive video games, connect with friends using cell phones and computers, listen to music on mp3 players, watch movies on portable players, and observed parents/guardian using technologies such as: cash machines and GPS devices. Though it may be harder for those of us not familiar with technology to adapt to the digital age but today’s students are our future and technology will be part of it.

I believe students should have the opportunity to engage in fun interactive activities because these motivate student learning, build cognitive and social skills and promote discovery learning. For instance, educators can use technology for differentiating instructions that are student-centered, promote creativity and problem-solving skills through class/group projects and provide students with multiple representations of content. In addition, teachers can facilitate learning through virtual fieldtrips. It is realistic to determine that school systems do not have the funding to provide students with enriched fieldtrips around the world. For example, technology gives teachers the resources to take their students on a virtual fieldtrip to Egypt without leaving the classroom. Also, technology provides educators with immediate assessment results. I believe that assessments along with student needs, guide lessons and technology provides educators with quick results to make instructional decisions and provide students with timely feedback.

I firmly believe that it is the educator’s responsibility to meet the needs of their students and I feel technology is a key component to student success. I expect to teach students through modeling and practice to learn how to properly select the appropriate technology for a task, explain and evaluate how technology influences society, how to become a digital citizen and know how to locate, gather, organize, and evaluate information using technology. I feel because of my expectations for student learning I will be able to meet the needs of students.


 * I have enlarged and deepened my view of the use of technologies in the classroom over the semester. In the beginning of the semester I knew that it was important to integrate technology into instructions because students are motivated by digital tools. I now realize that not only does technology motivate students but it helps students develop the necessary life skills to be successful such as; cognitive skills, critical thinking skills, social skills and collaboration skills. Also, I have learned that I can better meet the needs of students differentiating instruction though technology and use assessment results to quickly make instructional decisions.**