Alyssa+Truffer

__**Alyssa's Wikispace!** __

This is the html page I made for my ISTC 301 course in Spring 2012.

This is a Voki I created presenting my statement about the importance of Technology Standards and State Curriculum standards.

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**UDL Reflection ** After completing the learning styles survey I learned that I have a visual/nonverbal learning style. This does makes sense, I am a very visual person and usually have to read, observe, or watch something in order to fully grasp a concept. Sitting in a class room I benefit when teachers provide notes on the board when they are lecturing, if a teacher simply talks for a hour long period I have trouble understanding all the information and never know what the most important points to know will be. When studying information for a quiz or test, I always make flashcards. I find that writing out the information and then going over it multiple times is the best way for me to get the information to stick in my head. Typically when making flashcard, I color code them to the different concepts so that when taking a test I can recall which concept related to each color and use this knowledge to use as many details as I can. Prior to completing this quiz I knew I was a visual learner. It has always been easier for me to understand information when it is presented in a way that I can view and then practice on my own. I am a very avid reader and I think this is definitely influenced the way I learn.

I found the CAST website to be very informational. I never fully understood all the components for UDL, the site provided a lot of interesting facts and methods for how to have a learning environment that is beneficial for all students. The chapter by group covered discussed the human brain and how it works when recalling information and using knowledge to create new knowledge. The way they organized the chapter was really helpful, the human brain is so complex and attempting to understand how it works is difficult. The chapter discussed how each individuals brain works in a unique way, this was easy to understand considering the many different learning styles. The examples provided were also easy to relate to the information stated in the chapter and the actual classroom. Overall I found the CAST website to be extremely educational.

This activity has allowed me to better understand the different types of learners I will have in my classroom. Every student learns in a different way which is why it is important to understand different ways that lessons can be differentiated. Technology is a great way to dot his especially since it is becoming so advanced and accessible for children. The CAST website presented this information is a way that is available for future teachers and teachers to access.



This is a Glog with information about Lev Vygotsky.

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 * Virtual Field Trip **

Virtual field trips are a great way to integrate technology into the classroom, as well as introduce new information to students in a fun and unique way. They contain a lot of information and make the viewer feel like they have actually visited that place. They can also be a great tool to use before or after attending an actual field trip. It can help students to figure out where they would like to visit at a museum for example, or it can be a great way to reinforce what the class has already seen. While working at an internship, the class went to the Smithsonian for a field trip. They were able to walk around and view the exhibits and were given different questions in the form of a scavenger hunt. Back in the classroom, they used the computer lab to help them write a story about what they would do if they were trapped in the museum. By using the virtual field trip link, they were able to provide much more detail to their stories and it even helped them recall a lot of the information they had learned during their visit. Using this tool in the classroom is a great way to get students to explore more around then and maybe even go home and spend time going on their own field trip.

Here is my digital story. It introduces density to young children in a fun way. http://youtu.be/6D-5jm9ZU_8


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Final Reflection **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In our society today, technology is constantly on the rise. Children are introduced to many different forms of technology at a very early age; with the fast paced advancements in technology today, it is important for us as teachers to stay up to date with the technology that is available to integrate into the class. Chalkboards and whiteboards are still a great way to display material to students; however, using Promethean and SMART boards bring a more unique and advanced type of instruction. With these forms of technologies, students can be more involved with their learning. With the experiences I have had in the classroom, using these types of technology is always exciting for the children. They are able to get up and use the pen to show answers, circle things, and move objects and it really gets them involved.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Other forms of technology that can be accessed in the classroom are showing videos, creating class blogs or websites, and visiting educational sites. Allowing students to explore the many varieties of technology and observing the many things they can learn through exploring is important. It allows students to be creative and express themselves. While technology is great to use in the classroom, it is also important to make sure students understand safety when it comes to the internet and technology. Many schools have blocks and only allow educational type websites, but teaching students how to access sites appropriately and providing them with the information they should know about technology according to their grade level is very important. Overall, technology is becoming essential to use in the classroom, it provides so much more for students to explore and learn from.