Welcome
A decade into the 21st century, educators are faced with both challenges and opportunities. This course is designed to assist you in confronting those challenges and exploring the unimaginable opportunities of education for all learners in the digital age.
Welcome to Universal Design for Learning: Reaching All Learners in the Digital Age!
We are excitied to have you in our class. Take a moment to introduce yourself.
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July 19th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Hi, I’m Linda. I teach Special Education at William Cramp Elementary in Philadelphia. My experience is with younger students ranging from preschool to second grade. This year I am branching out and have changed my position to work with older students up to sixth grade. While this class fills a requirement for the Master’s program at RTC, I am excited how it can help me with my older students who are definitely more computer savvy than I ever was.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:53 am
“We haven’t been rewarded for being confused.”
“Willing to be disturbed”
By Margaret J. Wheatley
Hey guys. I just wanted to introduce myself. This is Doran from DC. This quote really resonates with me, because I think that many schools are going about teaching our kids the wrong way. The teaching and learning process is a lesson in humility, and closed hands simply don’t hold much water.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:20 am
Hello, I am Kay from Anne Arundel Public Schools. I am excited at UDL. I have so much to learn!
May 21st, 2011 at 3:53 pm
You are doing a great job!
November 26th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
This is Sunnie and after taking the UDL course, I have a new perspective of DI and intend to incorporate as much technology as I can into my all phases of instruction and assessments.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Hi! My name is Karla Lerie. I sent my fist blog, but lost it because I didn’t put my anti-spam word before sending it. I teach in Bristol Twp. School District. I student taught there 35 years ago and have been there ever since. I taught elementry special education for the first 7 years and then was transferred to middle school where I have been for the past 27 years. I co-teach life science with a wonderful teacher. I am taking this course to help me to become more knowledgelable with the use of technology, so I can help all kids be more successful in this class.
July 26th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
The emphasis is always on the state test and how to get all the students with all different learning styles to pass the same test. Since the state hasn’t come up with an assessment to meet the needs of all learners, we need to be flexible in are teaching to help. As educators, we need to take the intuitive and support their needs since we are their biggest advocates. Although the curriculum is written to be followed, there are ways to take the content from it and relate to our students in whichever way we can break down some of the barriers.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:27 am
At the core of UDL is the premise that the curriculum is disabling, inflexible and poses barriers. Following the study of UDL I feel we must look at our curriculum and be sure what goals and objectives we are presenting. Instruction and assessment must match. Brain research tells us that all learners learn differently. The teacher needs to present in a variety of methods using many strategies. The issue becomes the teachers methods may be disabling. Take the time to get a profile of each of your students, know their sterngths and weaknesses and what engages them. Vary your lessons and continue to expand yourself as a teacher.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:05 am
Hello, Im excited about UDL and using it in my classroom next week.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:17 am
Hello,
I am excited about UDL, too!
October 31st, 2010 at 10:08 am
UDL for me is another way to get the material to the student. If we can help them learn to the best of their ability by first knowing the student, so we can design our lessons to help them then we are acheiving our goal to help the student. Incorporating UDL into the classroom environment along with a mix of current techniques and movement will help us encompass the learning styles of all our students.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:08 am
Welcome everyone. I am taking the UDL class in Maryland. I am learning many new things that I can take with me in the classroom. As a matter of fact I am presenting a lesson on the preamble tommorrow to my students using Wordl that I think they will enjoy. Can’t wait to learn more things that I can use in the classroom.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:09 am
Hi everyone. I’m enjoying the UDL class. I am learning alot of strategies for the classroom. I’ve learned that by understanding the 3 networks, recognition, strategic and affective, my planning, teaching and assessments will improve. Flexible methods and materials are a must and I plan to start changing the way I teach TOMORROW. (literally)
October 31st, 2010 at 10:10 am
Maybe not being rewarded for being confused, but I feel the reward is in KNOWING you are confused. In other words: Being in touch with your surroundings enough to know you DON”T know is where we want to start!!
October 31st, 2010 at 10:11 am
First weekend of the class. earning lots from the teacher as wll as my peers. This class is helping me to over come the challenges I have with computers.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:14 am
Hi, I am thrilled to be part of the UDL family. I am pumped about UDL and want to continue my journey.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:14 am
Hello All! I feel that UDL will make my class more engaging!
October 31st, 2010 at 10:16 am
Hi, my name is Jill and I teach K-2 MINC children. I love that the UDL incorporates Differentiation, Multiple intellegences and the use of technology.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:17 am
Hello. My name is Katrina and I’m a third grade teacher in Maryland. I have really enjoyed learning the UDL framework. Teachers who use UDL in their classrooms will definitely expand both their learning and their students learning.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:35 am
Reflection 1:
Agree, as the curriculum in county is very structured. The county has pacing guides that dictate the time spent on each outcome. They do offer some resources to use with that outcome. There are few resources that allow the teachers and the students to use materials that are available for the 21 Century learner. It is then the responsibility of the teacher to find the resources that would benefit the learner. Even when given the tools such as a smart board, senteos, etc, teachers need the time to be trained and work with the tools to become proficient using them and then time to develop lessons using the tool
October 31st, 2010 at 10:36 am
Randy, you said it beautifully!
October 31st, 2010 at 10:43 am
My name is Ginnie and I work as a Signature Program Facilitator with the Anne Arundel County School System. I am currently enrolled in the UDL class and it is definitely the wave of the future for reaching students -using technology- in this generation. Great class, UDL for Learning!
October 31st, 2010 at 11:01 am
This is a real learning experience. We should make a plan to put this into daily practice.
October 31st, 2010 at 10:48 am
Hey There,
This is Sunnie. Wow, this UDL stuff is great!
October 31st, 2010 at 10:49 am
I took the Brain class. Is the gendered brain class as excellent as the brain class?
January 24th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
The Gendered Brain class was awesome! I highly recommend it!
February 12th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
I don’t believe my district’s curriculum is disabling. My school district reviews and revises curriculum as they see fit. They ask for teacher input and frequently make adjustments to the curriculum. I realize that not all districts are like this, but for me UDL’s principles are possible to implement. Our district is technology driven and right now very interested in 21st century skills. Our district’s barriers are financial. We don’t always have the money to support the projects we would like to do.
March 6th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Reflection #2
What are the benefits of analyzing the curriculum for strengths and weaknesses rather than focusing on the student’s strengths and weaknesses? What are the challenges of this approach?
Analyzing the curriculum can be beneficial in that the teacher becomes more aware of the essential and non-essential information as well as being able to more easily see different perspectives and means to relate the same information.
This can also create challenges in that the curriculum doesn’t change, however our students are constantly changing… their modes of learning and their interest are a pedulum. I would think it would be much more advantageous to focus on the strengths and needs of our students than the strengths and weaknesses in our curriculum.
March 20th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Reflection #5
Alicia W.
Given the realities of our modern age and the demands of our children’s future, is it really okay to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction?
It is my belief that, not only is it okay for teachers to choose whether or not to incorporate modern technologies, but I believe it is essential that our students also learn how to function without technologies. If we become too technologically dependent the loss of that ability would be crippling not just to our students but to our society as a whole. Look at what happens when the cash register isn’t working and the young person working is not capable of calculating the correct change without the functioning technology. I think it is essential to teach our children how to function with and without technology. Who knows if this is a truly dependable resource??
March 26th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Response to reflection #3- Using varieties of materials and methods to reach more learners within the classroom, will benefit students with different learning styles to learn more. The challenge will be having access to the type of materials they need at the time they need to use them.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:14 am
I am missing the tip of my right index finger. A rabbit bit it off.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:14 am
Good morning! I’m Azalea from Philly. I love to spend time with my gandson> He’s 22 months old and just a ball of energy! Just what I need to refresh me after a challenging day at work!
April 9th, 2011 at 8:14 am
Ilissa: I have taught English abroad and have traveled all over the world.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:15 am
Hello everyone, this is Geralyn Hunter and it’s a beautiful morning!
April 9th, 2011 at 8:15 am
My best birthday present was the birth of my youngest son. We share the same birth date.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:17 am
I have 5 dogs and 3 adult children.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:18 am
I will travel to Macchu Pichu, Peru this summer!
May 21st, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Hello! That sound great! I am hoping to travel to Peru next April for a surf trip.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:18 am
I am helping to plan a really large fun day for children with special needs on June 11.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:18 am
My name is Jenn. I teach first grade at Hallowell elementary School in Hatboro-Horsham School District. I’ve been teaching for 8 years and have my master’s in Reading, with a Reading Specialist Certification. I practice yoga and have a dog. I just moved to a new home about a month ago.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:18 am
Hi! my Name is Jaime. I have been teaching ART for 5 years. One interesting thing about myself is that i have a BFA in painting and i am a practicing artists. I am married with 2 dogs. i enjoy yoga and reading.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:19 am
My name is Casey and I went to Walt Disney World this year!!
April 9th, 2011 at 8:20 am
My name is Carla Van Demark. I was supposed to be doing the tough mudder with my husband tomorrow but luckily I got sick and had to take this class! My husband and I workout a lot together. We ran the Baltimore Marathon together. We have a three year old boy who has trained with us in his jogger since he was a few months old! We recently moved back to our roots from Southwest Florida.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:20 am
i grew up in paris
April 9th, 2011 at 8:21 am
I treat my students like my own children and grandchildren.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:23 am
Hello,
My name is Addie Christopher. I teach at Penn Wynne Elementary School. An interesting fact about myself is that I met Rosa Parks.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:24 am
My name is Kandis Moffitt and I love to teach through song. My grandson brings me great joy!! I attribute my students success to the fact that I have a great deal of maternal instinct in my class.
April 9th, 2011 at 8:25 am
Hello everyone my name is Anthony. I had quite a day yesterday but all is well. Hope to have a great class!
April 9th, 2011 at 8:30 am
Guin: I enjoy decorating and I’m addicted to HGTV
May 12th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
Pursue your object, be it what it will, steadily and indefatigably
May 21st, 2011 at 8:11 am
Hi, I’m Sarah Coyle. I have the coolest son ever. He’s got mad dance moves.
May 21st, 2011 at 8:15 am
My name is Sherry Baumann. I teach for the Southeast Delco School District. I teach at Sharon Hill School. I will be switching grades next year.
May 21st, 2011 at 11:18 am
• I agree with this view because where I teach “they” say that they want us to reach every child and that every child DOES have the same opportunities but it is not the case. There are children in poverty or in crime filled neighborhoods or in schools that are severely lacking in the necessary resources to help all children be safe, grow, and achieve.
May 21st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
It would be great if motivation to learn was driven by curriculum alone. I know that my content is extremely motivating and interesting to me because I am passionate about the Spanish language. I agree that curriculum is disabled and not flexible. It is a truth that I, as an educator, face every day in my Spanish class. Optimal learning does not take place due to the content alone. If I were to hand my level three Spanish class a literature book to read when they walked in and instructed them to read Chapter 10, I know through experience that this would not happen. For the students to actually remember the book, I must use multiple means of representation. Perhaps a role play of the chapter, followed by a video clip of the scene, and ending with a meet and share partner summary of what happened could provide the optimal learning that the students require.
Barriers can be moved. But why move them when you can take a fun detour? You will get there; it just may not be an easy trip…
May 21st, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Hi
I’m very excited to be learning new things to share with my students.
May 21st, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Welcome to the UDL class 2011
May 21st, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Hope you are doing great and enjoying this class
Judy
May 21st, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Thanks Judy. I am enjoying the class.
May 21st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Judy
Looking forward to learning with you.