Michael+Keenan


 * UDL Reflection**

Over the years, I have noticed that my learning style and preferences are very diverse; I value visual, auditory and kinesthetic processes equally, and have found that it is not the use of a specific style over the others that helps me, but rather it is the use of all three together that helps me to understand key concepts. It was not surprising for me to find out from the online test that I scored very close on all learning styles. I did learn one very important thing from this test though, which is that the visual style of learning is can be divided into verbal and nonverbal categories. This is an important distinction to be made, as by recognizing more specific classifications of learning we can take measures to reach more students.

I found the CAST website was very interesting because it not only contains a wealth of information, but also puts into practice what it teaches through the use of various instructional methods. There are tools that students, teachers and parents can use to compliment the learning experience, including a book builder, lesson builder, online modules, and much more. Everything is clearly labeled and easy to navigate, with plenty of visual aids to easily clarify certain topics. Overall, I would say this website is very impressive in its ability to communicate information.

In addition to the website as a whole, I found the online textbook on UDL to be very interesting as well. A book’s worth of information is put into an online format, which not only helps students by reducing the weight they need to carry or the cost they have to pay for books, but also has potential to create a more efficient learning experience. The bulleted lists make it easy to follow information and the hyperlinks can help to clarify terms by giving pronunciation and definitions in a pop up window. The setup also allows for navigation to more traditional text explanations from the chapter overview page, so students can easily return to find information for review. As an educator, I would use technology like this in conjunction with an online quiz to encourage students to make use of the materials to study.

I fully support any steps made to promote differentiated instruction. I think it would be great if I were to get the opportunity to utilize the materials provided by CAST to develop a plan and wonder if there are more websites like this that provide an avenue for instruction in other subjects.



Digital Storytelling


 * Final Reflection**

I believe it is of the utmost importance that students be given the opportunity to benefit from the instructional technology that can be made available to them. Technology has the potential to improve the education of our students greatly. Lessons can be made more interactive, assignments can be made easier for students to submit on their own time and tools can be provided to help students learn on their own at home. It makes me very happy to see technology being integrated into the modern-day classroom.

I am aware that although technology can be made available to teachers to assist them in instructing students, not all teachers take advantage of this availability. I have heard of school’s spending thousands of dollars on interactive whiteboards just to have teachers use them as projector screens to display PowerPoint presentations. Interactive whiteboards are full of capabilities that could potentially benefit the progression of students’ education greatly, but this potential is wasted if teachers don’t properly tap in to this potential. The same goes for other new technology, such as multimedia presentations for more effective instruction and utilizing the Internet for turning in assignments. I believe the potential for utilizing technology to benefit education is close to limitless, and would love to see educators take every advantage possible to further the education of our children.

My views on the importance of technology in the classroom have not changed very much, but have definitely been strengthened over the course of this semester. Coming into this class, my only major experience with instructional technology had been with the interactive white board. This class has given me the opportunity to practice more with the interactive white board and has also opened my eyes to a whole new set of technology that can be used to aid in the process of education. The use of the Wiki page was definitely a new experience for me, and while it took some getting used to, I definitely can appreciate the potential that it has to make education better for everyone. As I said at the beginning of the semester, I can’t wait to use the wealth of technology around me to make my lessons more creative and more interesting for my students.

This is the website I made with html coding for my ISTC 301 class.

media type="custom" key="12715670" This is a Voki about the importance of technology education in today's classrooms.

This is the Glogster we made about Jean Piaget. media type="custom" key="14062580"