Emily+Walsh

This is my webpage I created with html for my ISTC 301 class.
[|Webpage]

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**__ UDL Assignment __**

 * After taking the personal learning style test, it confirmed what I already know. I am a visual learner and an auditory learner. I learn best when something is presented to me hands on and when instructions are given verbally. The strategies that were given to me when studying are strategies that I already use on a daily basis when it comes to schoolwork. I highlight my class notes in different colors in order to distinguish what the terms are and when I study I use flashcards in order to remember key terms. **
 * The CAST website was very interesting because it talked about how we think about information and which part of the brain is being used. I think it is a good website for teachers to understand the basics when it comes to universal design for learning. It provides good examples and visuals that will help grasp the concepts. As a future teacher it never occurred to me that a child might not know how to use a computer. Since technology is a big part of everyday life, I assumed that every child knows the basics of computers. CAST provides teachers with different tools and activities to accommodate for each child’s learning style. There are books online that read to you if the child is unable to read or has a speech impairment. This tool helps children keep up to speed of readings and assignments in the classroom. They feel confident that they will not fall behind and understand the information better. **


 * I like the idea of teachers using the CAST website because it allows the teacher to make accommodations for all children since everyone learns differently and at a different pace. Some children are more visual while others are more auditory. This website allows activities for all learning styles. I would like to know more about some of the results from the classroom. Were the tools and activities beneficial or were they more trouble than what it was worth? Did the children have a hard time grasping the concepts on the computer? Were the results more positive or negative? Overall the CAST website is a beneficial site for future educators to explore to get a sense of what it will be like in the classroom with children of many different learning styles. **

__** Assistive Technology **__
Something new I learned from the videos was that with assistive technology, children can use it for leisure activities not just school related activities. Many children depend on the technology to communicate, move around, and even to do simple everyday tasks. I find it interesting that you can alter the technology in order to the child’s severity. You can choose the font, voices being used, and what kinds of exercises are best for that child’s needs.
 * 1. From visiting the websites and viewing the videos in Part I of the assignment, what information did you learn about assistive technology for disabled individuals?**

The products that I will keep in mind as I become a teacher would be the individualized computers for each child. The computers provide different lessons for each student and allow them to interact with the technology. The computers are each different depending on the severity of the child, but the basic functions allow the children to talk or type into the computer, answer questions, and have a voice response when the child selects an answer. Some computers are also small enough for the children to take home with them which is good because it allows the child to tell or show their parents what they did that day. The computer software has stored memory of the child’s progress for each lesson, so with a simple touch of a button they can share what they are learning in school. The assistive technology that is used today allows individuals with learning needs to have a chance at an education. Without the technology many of the children would not be able to communicate at all. I think the technology is the biggest part of their education and it allows them to have a chance at a proper education. It promises each child that uses assistive technology that they will have a future. It may not be the future they desired, but it allows them to have choices about what they would like to become and do with their life. I know two young girls who are twins that have cerebral palsy and are wheelchair bound. These girls depend on their wheelchair for everything they do since they cannot walk. They are able to communicate some on their own, but they do have technology that assists them. These girls are very strong and are very proud at what they have become with using their assistive technology. I know for certain that they will make it far in life because they had the opportunity to use assistive technology.
 * 2. Were there any sites, products, or resources that particularly impressed you and that you want to remember as you prepare to become a classroom teacher?**
 * 3. What promises/potentials does technology provide for students with diverse learning needs?**
 * 4. Have you ever had a personal experience with a student or other person who has used some form of assistive technology to help them function in learning or everyday life? If so,**

As a future educator I will be more open to the fact that children may need to use assistive technology in the classroom. Each child learns differently and if some children need the use of assistive technology that would be fine as long as they are getting the best possible education they can.
 * 5. From this assignment, what will you carry with you as you prepare to become a teacher – one that will, most likely, face the challenge of meeting the needs of special education students along with non-disabled learners?**



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__**Virtual Fieldtrips**__
I do and do not like the idea of a virtual fieldtrip. I like virtual fieldtrips because they allow students to experience places they may never get to see, such as the Grand Canyon. In many cases there will be no fieldtrip across the country, so it is a good idea that they can see a video of it. Virtual fieldtrips allows students to explore different places and learn new and interesting things. It may be possible that they learn more from the virtual fieldtrip rather going on the fieldtrip because there is less distraction. When students go on fieldtrips they feel like it is an excuse to get out of class and do not take it seriously. Many students just walk around not trying to learn new things, so I think the virtual fieldtrip is a good idea because they can focus on learning without their peers distracting them.

I also do not like the idea of virtual fieldtrips because it takes away from the real life experience of visiting the place. I remember as a child going on fieldtrips, it was interesting to see the different paintings and sculptures in real life rather than on a piece of paper or on a computer. Teachers can not depend on the virtual fieldtrips for every lesson because the students will get bored. Students will get excited to leave the classroom to learn new things. I do understand that many places are unavailable for fieldtrips, but teachers should not base every lesson around a virtual fieldtrip.

As a further educator I will incorporate some virtual fieldtrips but also schedule fieldtrips to travel outside of the classroom in order for students to learn new things in different environments.

__**Podcast**__

 * Oh, The Places You'll Go**
 * By: Dr. Seuss**

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__**Digital Story - Movie **__
 * The Case of the Missing Cookies **

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=**__Final Reflection__** =

Incorporation of technology is important for all classroom environments because it allows the students as well as the teachers to understand information more efficiently. As a first time teacher technology would be used in everyday learning in my classroom. The inclusion of technology can be crucial for lesson plans such as differentiating type of objects, such as volcanoes. You can show students the different pictures of each and then play a video to show how each volcano erupts differently. Also, you can make a chart to list the differences and similarities between the two using the whiteboard.

I intend to use technology to the fullest in my classroom because I feel that it will benefit student learning rather than looking at pictures or reading straight from a textbook. Allowing my students to use a whiteboard during class to select answers from a matching review or doing math problems gets the students out of their seats and moving which can allow them to focus more on the lesson and not get distracted as easily. I find that students get really excited when they can come up to use the whiteboard to select answers and are willing to participate more because of the interaction with the technology.

I believe it is important to incorporate technology into the classroom, but not rely on it for everything. Once students realize that technology is all that will be used instead of having a book in front of them, they will dependent on it and forget how to use “natural” resources such as textbooks, worksheets, and simply using a pencil. Technology should only be used for the mandatory lesson plans that need technology because the school has a technology course so students will be able to use technology to its fullest in that class.


 * My beliefs about technology have not changed since the beginning of the semester. I believe technology should not be the dependent of the structure of the classroom activities. I like the activities we did in the class and would incorporate them into my lesson plans throughout my teaching career.**