Paul+Lange

Hello World!

This is Paul Lange's [|html page] for my ISTC 301 class.

media type="custom" key="12702200" This a computer-generated avatar that I created. It discusses technology standards for teachers.

__Responses/Reflection to Learning Styles and CAST Website Resources__

A student will always benefit from examining his or her learning style. It can be helpful to re-examine how a student can best learn and study information. While the survey simply confirmed information that I already believed to be true, it did provide me with ideas about how to improve my study habits. As a visual/verbal learner, I can benefit from high-lighting different kinds of information in contrasting colors when reading a textbook or reviewing notes. This is a strategy I plan to make use of as I study for mid-term exams.

The CAST website is a great resource for teachers of all levels. There seems to be an unlimited number of strategies, lesson plans, and multimedia tools to use with students of every age and learning ability. I was impressed with the Book Builder feature. The many different ways a student could either follow along with the text or gain extra information about the text was astounding. I especially liked that words or phrases can be translated into Spanish. It is very important to differentiate instruction for students that have a variety of strengths and weaknesses. The approach that CAST takes towards differentiating instruction seems very beneficial to both students and teachers. The materials that CAST provides allow a teacher to develop an instruction plan that is custom-made for an individual student. This gives a student the greatest chance at success. It would be very interesting to explore how the members of the CAST organization decide what kinds of strategies need to be enhanced and how CAST goes about implementing these strategies. I would also like to know how I can create my own Book Builder entry.

The two activities I completed were quite intriguing. I learned that the strategic network of my brain is probably the most active. I found the activity that asked for descriptions of a painting to be especially thought-provoking. This activity demonstrated how a person will see different things depending on his or her background and “how” they are asked to see something. This is valuable for teachers because it reminds them that each student will bring his or her own unique perspective to a situation or activity. It also shows teachers that how they pose a question goes a long way towards how a student will answer it. Teachers will be able to find a lot of useful information from //Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age.// I never realized that the understanding of how a brain works could benefit a teacher. When I am a teacher I will try to understand “how” each student is thinking. In this way, I will have a better understanding of how to motivate and educate my students.

It is great to see what an organization like CAST can accomplish. As education continues to evolve, resources such as these will greatly benefit both teachers and students. With all of the technology that it is available, it is imperative that educators are constantly designing curriculum that can best stimulate and motivate students. I feel better about the future of education after witnessing the positive efforts the CAST organization has put out.

__Assistive Technology__

It is amazing to see how far technology has advanced over the years. As a future teacher, it is especially gratifying to witness how technology has provided students with diverse learning needs an opportunity to have the best possible educational experience. With the continual evolution of technology, there is an unlimited potential for students with diverse learning needs to achieve great academic success. The most important thing I will carry with me from this assignment is that, as a teacher, I need to realize that every student, regardless of his or her learning needs, can be given an excellent education.

The only form of assisted technology I have seen used in my internships was a teacher using a microphone to assist a hearing impaired student. While this is not very fancy, it was essential to this student’s education. I think that the technology that allows students with cerebral palsy (and other disorders) to communicate is wonderful. The ability to communicate with other people opens up the entire world, not just education opportunities. When I am a teacher, I will do whatever it takes to communicate with every one of my students, and implement any technology that is necessary. I was also impressed with the technology that allowed the student to play the horn. This combination of creativity and technology is making the world a better place for everyone.

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__Virtual Field Trip__ When I took a few virtual field trips, I was amazed by how in-depth the experience was. I felt like I was traveling to a different era when I explored the virtual field trips. My favorite virtual field trip was the one that explored Lewis and Clark’s expedition. The knowledge that can be gained from this experience is substantial. As a future teacher, I feel that student would greatly benefit from these experiences. The content is so in-depth and interactive that students will understand and retain the information better than if they read it from a book or a powerpoint presentation. I believe that virtual field trips are especially valuable when teaching social studies. The experience of a virtual field trip provides students with a realistic feel for what a past society or civilization was like. Aside from taking a real field trip, which can be expensive, time consuming, and hard to coordinate, a virtual field trip is the best way for students to learn about and interact with the past.

__My Digital Story__ [|This]is a link to my digital story. It is a short fable titled, //Luna and the Chimp//. This can be a good way to show young students that they can create fables about people or animals from their own lives.

__Final Reflection__

I would explain to the principal that the development of educational technology has improved dramatically over the past few years. Through the principles of the Universal Design for Learning, lesson plans can be customized to best an individual student’s needs. These needs can be based on learning styles, reading level, or any learning disability a student may have. Using this kind of technology levels the playing field for all students, and opens up significant educational opportunities that would otherwise not be available for all students.

Students will also benefit from working with resources that are available through the internet. Students can learn about History, Science, Math, and English through wonderful resources, such as virtual field trips, interactive posters called Glogsters, and podcasts. It is important that students gain experience using computers and the internet. As students graduate and join the work force, many jobs will require expertise in computer sciences. Exposing students to computers at a young age is an excellent way to help them become proficient at these skills. Teachers should also use document cameras and smartboard technologies to expand upon their lessons and make them more interactive. Technology is not going away. It is a helpful and essential tool that every teacher should use.


 * My beliefs now are similar to the beliefs I held at the beginning of the semester. I have always thought that technology is an essential tool that teachers need to use to better educate their students. However, I did realize the large number and variety of resources that are available through the internet. I was very impressed with the UDL, and it is something that I will consult when I am a full-time teacher. I have come to realize that, with the use of technology, a teacher can truly customize lessons based upon each student’s needs.**