Leah+Wagner

This is the webpage that I created with html in ISTC 301.

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This is the Voki I created to discuss the importance of technology standards in teaching.

The learning style survey confirmed what I already knew about myself. I am a visual learner. I have taken this type of survey in other classes. There was another survey that looked at all eight learning styles and came back with three of your strongest. I liked that survey better because I don't see all of myself in the visual learner description. One of the suggestions was post-it notes. I love post-it notes and I used them when I was working at a staffing company. I don't think it would be a good idea to use them at home for studying because I feel like I do much better on tests by studying in one study session before the day of the test. I use my notes and textbooks and have found that I do very well. I think the CAST website is a great tool for teachers. It allows them to use different types of tools because it's known that all students learn differently. The computer voice while reading the books is hard to understand. I'm not sure it would be easy for all students to understand. Other than that, I think it will be a great tool for me to help my students reach their full potential.I found numerous websites teachers and students can use in the online UDL book. I will definitely be using this. One of the websites lets you go to egypt and view the pyramids in 3D. I thought this was amazing. How many students will get to see Egypt and the pyramids in their lifetime? I think this tool is wonderful and it allows students to see the pyramids. Maybe once they see them online, they will have a goal of exploring the pyramids in person. This book has the ability to inspire students. It allows them to see there is a whole world out there for them to explore. This can open them up so they can see they can do anything they set their mind to. There were many other websites that can help students with different learning styles. After I learn about the type of students I have, I can show them these tools and websites. We can spend time every day with the internet or have days where we look at these different websites. I think it will be exciting for these children and it will keep them interested in learning. One of the activities I tried is "your three brain networks". This was interesting and informative. I was able to see how different my brain reacts when I'm looking for different things. The other activity I completed was "getting to know you the UDL way". I didn't feel this gave me good information about myself but I can see how these exercises could help me teach my students how to recognize their strengths and weaknesses. I enjoyed exploring the CAST site. I think it is a wonderful tool for teachers and it will help me be a better teacher to my students. I can show my students and teach them in different ways so they benefit whether they have different learning styles or their interests are different. This site can help you reach all of your students at once and it can help break up a long school day for students. I would definitely like to explore the numerous websites I learned about. Some of them are math websites and they have different skill level activities. That way a student who isn't as far can use this website to get to the next level and a student who needs more of a challenge can move ahead. My daughter isn't a fan of math. My experience with math has shown me that teachers are a major part of students doing well. If you have a great teacher who is willing to work with all students, you will have successful students. I used to think I was bad at math. I'm not sure why. Once I entered college, I was awesome at math. I have taken five math classes during my college career and have gotten four A's and one B. Why did I think I was bad at math? I think this site can help those students who need the extra help. I may turn my daughter onto these sites. She may not be as bad at math as she thinks.
 * This is my UDL personal reflection.**

I learned there is an array of different resources that can help children with special needs. I was just accepted to the ECSE program and I will be working with special needs students. It’s amazing to see all of the technology available to teachers and students. There is technology that can assist with any issue a child may have whether major or minor. These websites show me that I will have plenty of resources to choose from and use to help my special needs students reach their full potential. The diversity of the resources is amazing and I’m excited to use them for my students. I was impressed with many of the websites and technologies. I was most impressed by the AT Decision Making Tool found on the Buffalo website. This tool is a great way to help teachers decide what steps to take if they are having trouble reaching a student. If a teacher is stuck, this tool can help the creative wheels start turning so the teacher can help any student. Technology will allow all students to get the help and support they need to learn. Technology promises to support all students with many different needs. I know that these resources give me the hope and confidence that I will be able to help all of my students. Whether there is a language barrier or a physical disability, technology promises to support all special needs students. I look forward to being able to meet the needs of all of my students. Seeing the resources available to students and teachers will allow me to be the best teacher I can be. I aspire to help all of my students whether they have special needs or not. I will be able to take all of this information with me and use it in my teaching to help my students. These websites and resources will help me become more prepared when faced with diverse students with special needs.
 * This is my assistive technology narrative.**

**This is our glog from our glogster assignment.**

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 * Here is my toondoo.**


 * Here is my paragraph responding to virtual fieldtrips.**

I think a virtual fieldtrip is a great way for students to see the world without going to the museum or country etc. I am interested in Egypt and I am fascinated by the mummies and traditions of Ancient Egypt. I'm not sure I will be able to visit Egypt. I think it's great that I am able to see it through a virtual fieldtrip. If it's possible, I think a fieldtrip is a great experience for children. However, I know it isn't always possible. It depends on the school, area, and the amount of resources available to the school. Also, most schools aren't going to be able to travel to another country. These virtual fieldtrips allow students to explore places they may never be able to visit. Incorporating this into the classroom allows students to see the resources available to them. I'm not sure I would include this as a required assignment in my classroom. It would depend on the school and the resources at the school. If there are computers available for all students to use, I would use this idea for an assignment. The students would be able to choose from different virtual fieldtrips. That way, students aren't forced to go somewhere they aren't interested in. If computers aren't available, I might make this an extra credit assignment or I could incorporate the virtual fieldtrip by using my own computer. The children could vote on the fieldtrip they want to go on and it could be a reward for the academic achievement of the students.


 * Here is my fotobabble photo.**

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 * This is my movie for Digital Storytelling.**

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 * This is my final reflection.**

The reason I ask is because we are living in a digital age. Students are growing up in a digital world. They are digital natives. Digital Natives are children that have been born into this world of technology. The use of technology is becoming more common every day. This technology is not going anywhere. In fact, new technology is constantly being born and old technology is evolving. Students need to be prepared to live in a digital world. They will not be successful in the future if they aren’t prepared. Being prepared in today’s world includes understanding technology and being able to use all different types of technology. If students aren’t exposed to the technology, they will have a hard time in our digital world. I think it’s important to teach our students the information that is going to be relevant in their lives. Technology is relevant and it’s important that teachers evolve. Teachers need to prepare their students so they can be successful and make contributions as adults in society. I know it’s scary to change what you know. I know teachers are afraid to do things differently when they have been teaching the same way for a number of years. Teachers need to overcome their fears so we can serve our students and help them to become productive members of our society. Once they learn how to use the technology, they will see how wonderful and exciting it is. They will see that technology will help us teach all different types of learners. This is extremely important. All students learn differently. Recently in education, we thought everystudent should learn in the same way but we have evolved from that way of thinking. We know there are many different types of learners. Technology is an asset to teachers. It can help teachers incorporate lessons for all learners. I would love to help current teachers learn about the technology available to them. If they can learn about the technology, I know they will see how important it is to incorporate this new way of teaching into their everyday lessons.
 * I looked back at my thoughts on technology at the beginning of the semester. The information I learned throughout this semester reiterated how I felt about technology. I am going to be a special needs/early childhood education teacher and I know technology will open doors for my students. I mentioned that it will give them a voice if they have none and I have learned that to be a true statement. Technology will allow them to experience things that I may not have been able to show them. I’m excited to use technology in my future classrooms. I know technology will help my students become better learners than they ever imagined.**