Comments for Universal Design for Learning http://rtcudl.edublogs.org Reaching All Learners in the Digital Age Sun, 06 May 2012 19:00:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Reflections (Phil) by Richard Bennett http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3164 Richard Bennett Sun, 06 May 2012 19:00:37 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3164 Reflection #5 Given the realities of our modern age I believe it is important to incorporate modern technologies into instruction. If the school building the teacher is employed at has computers they should absolutly be utilized for an added resource to gather information. At the school I am employed at computers are only in the computer lab. Students are not allowed to bring electronics to school and staff constantly take cell phones from students and return them at the end of the school day. Instead of confiscating the phones these phones can be put to use to enhance their education. Reflection #5
Given the realities of our modern age I believe it is important to incorporate modern technologies into instruction. If the school building the teacher is employed at has computers they should absolutly be utilized for an added resource to gather information. At the school I am employed at computers are only in the computer lab. Students are not allowed to bring electronics to school and staff constantly take cell phones from students and return them at the end of the school day. Instead of confiscating the phones these phones can be put to use to enhance their education.

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by C. Reed Stubbe http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3163 C. Reed Stubbe Sun, 06 May 2012 18:58:26 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3163 The educational model currently in use by most schools was designed in the 19th Century and perfected in the 20th Century. It would be naïve to think that the skills we needed to compete in the economy of the industrial age are still the only set of skills we need in the digital age. While there may be skills and values that are timeless and universal, the traditional “broadcast,” or lecture, style of education has become outdated and obsolete in the 21st Century. It simply does not effectively prepare students to compete in our future job market. In fact, many would argue that is has been outdated for decades now. I think it is professionally irresponsible to ignore the shift in the way our students absorb, process and apply information. They are fluent in a language that many teachers do not, or even refuse to, speak. While I believe that each teachers’ classroom is their “kingdom,” we need to acknowledge that a classroom without technology is as foreign a place to digital natives as a feudal castle may be to digital immigrants. The duty of educators is to prepare students to live in the world of the future. The future has arrived, will we? The educational model currently in use by most schools was designed in the 19th Century and perfected in the 20th Century. It would be naïve to think that the skills we needed to compete in the economy of the industrial age are still the only set of skills we need in the digital age. While there may be skills and values that are timeless and universal, the traditional “broadcast,” or lecture, style of education has become outdated and obsolete in the 21st Century. It simply does not effectively prepare students to compete in our future job market. In fact, many would argue that is has been outdated for decades now. I think it is professionally irresponsible to ignore the shift in the way our students absorb, process and apply information. They are fluent in a language that many teachers do not, or even refuse to, speak. While I believe that each teachers’ classroom is their “kingdom,” we need to acknowledge that a classroom without technology is as foreign a place to digital natives as a feudal castle may be to digital immigrants. The duty of educators is to prepare students to live in the world of the future. The future has arrived, will we?

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by Cheryl Larson http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3162 Cheryl Larson Sun, 06 May 2012 18:57:46 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3162 The students that are currently sitting in my classroom today and the students that will sit in my classroom for the next twenty years will face a world unknown to all of us. Teachers must prepare students for professions that have not yet been designed. Teachers must prepare students to face an ever-changing world. Technology is a huge part of that. There are big and small ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. Teachers do have some control over the technology that is used in the classroom daily. Unfortunately, there are many other factors that have a stronger control – administrators, tax-payers, parents, universities, government. I think well-educated teachers know and understand the importance of technology in the lives of their students, and these teachers do what they can to implement it in classroom teaching. The question is not “is it okay to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction” but it is “when are those dictating education going to focus on the education of digital natives.” The students that are currently sitting in my classroom today and the students that will sit in my classroom for the next twenty years will face a world unknown to all of us. Teachers must prepare students for professions that have not yet been designed. Teachers must prepare students to face an ever-changing world. Technology is a huge part of that. There are big and small ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. Teachers do have some control over the technology that is used in the classroom daily. Unfortunately, there are many other factors that have a stronger control – administrators, tax-payers, parents, universities, government. I think well-educated teachers know and understand the importance of technology in the lives of their students, and these teachers do what they can to implement it in classroom teaching. The question is not “is it okay to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction” but it is “when are those dictating education going to focus on the education of digital natives.”

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by Chris Matt http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3161 Chris Matt Sun, 06 May 2012 18:57:22 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3161 Reflection 5 Our lives are going to continue to incorporate technology and therefore, the need for students to utilize technology is going to continue to exist. I feel school districts will ultimately need to decide how much of an emphasis they would like to see their schools place on technology. This class has presented a strong argument for the use of technology in the classroom and for many students the use of technology would benefit their learning. However, teacher face many curricular, financial, and classroom management issues when using technology. I feel ever teacher should use technology in their instruction but for Digital Immigrants this is challenging. If a school buys into the idea of using technology and then provides all staff with proper training, and funding, then over time the use of technology for all teachers could reasonably be mandated. Teachers who are not comfortable with the use of technology should pursue training to better their instructional practice. Reflection 5
Our lives are going to continue to incorporate technology and therefore, the need for students to utilize technology is going to continue to exist. I feel school districts will ultimately need to decide how much of an emphasis they would like to see their schools place on technology. This class has presented a strong argument for the use of technology in the classroom and for many students the use of technology would benefit their learning. However, teacher face many curricular, financial, and classroom management issues when using technology. I feel ever teacher should use technology in their instruction but for Digital Immigrants this is challenging. If a school buys into the idea of using technology and then provides all staff with proper training, and funding, then over time the use of technology for all teachers could reasonably be mandated. Teachers who are not comfortable with the use of technology should pursue training to better their instructional practice.

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by Mandy Anspach http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3160 Mandy Anspach Sun, 06 May 2012 18:55:42 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3160 I don’t think it is okay to allow teachers to have the say on whether or not they incorporate modern technology into their instruction. I think this comes down to the philosophy of a district and the things that parents want to see their children engaging with. In every work place there is a set of rules and obligations that have to be followed. I believe it is important that the world of education follows rules and obligations as well, one being meeting the needs of all learners. Districts need to give teachers the opportunity to try these new ways of technology and incorporate them into a curriculum. I believe educators need to also listen to student needs and give the kids options on what is going to help them to succeed. The one negative with this “argument” is that not all teachers are on board with a new means of teaching (incorporating technology). They become set in the “old” ways of teaching and say they can’t be tied down with trying to learn yet another new technology device. If we aren’t willing to learn this new way of thinking and educating then why should students have to sit through the old way? The last problem with districts incorporating technology into their schools and having teachers use them is that for many schools the funding just isn’t there. Hopefully we can find new ways to help all students achieve and help them in way that meets the needs of the net generation. I don’t think it is okay to allow teachers to have the say on whether or not they incorporate modern technology into their instruction. I think this comes down to the philosophy of a district and the things that parents want to see their children engaging with. In every work place there is a set of rules and obligations that have to be followed. I believe it is important that the world of education follows rules and obligations as well, one being meeting the needs of all learners. Districts need to give teachers the opportunity to try these new ways of technology and incorporate them into a curriculum. I believe educators need to also listen to student needs and give the kids options on what is going to help them to succeed. The one negative with this “argument” is that not all teachers are on board with a new means of teaching (incorporating technology). They become set in the “old” ways of teaching and say they can’t be tied down with trying to learn yet another new technology device. If we aren’t willing to learn this new way of thinking and educating then why should students have to sit through the old way?
The last problem with districts incorporating technology into their schools and having teachers use them is that for many schools the funding just isn’t there. Hopefully we can find new ways to help all students achieve and help them in way that meets the needs of the net generation.

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by steffanee http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3159 steffanee Sun, 06 May 2012 18:55:17 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3159 I do not think teachers should be able to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction. I believe they should be required to use technology within a given time frame. I have to use technology 45 minutes every week where I teach. I can use and incorporate it as I choose. I think teachers need more training perhaps on inservice days. With the net generation of learners we need to use technology to reach the full capacity of the different learners. I do not think teachers should be able to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction. I believe they should be required to use technology within a given time frame. I have to use technology 45 minutes every week where I teach. I can use and incorporate it as I choose. I think teachers need more training perhaps on inservice days. With the net generation of learners we need to use technology to reach the full capacity of the different learners.

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by Megan Hoagland http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3158 Megan Hoagland Sun, 06 May 2012 18:53:03 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3158 Megan Hoagland Reflection #5 I am on the fence with whether or not it is okay to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction. I do feel that there are many other varied means to teach and instruct student other than with the use of modern technology. Also, many teachers and students are not privileged to have access to these modern technologies. On the other hand, I do feel that teachers need to be teaching their students in the way that they learn best, and for some students that is through the use of modern technologies. I really believe that it comes down to knowing your students and knowing what will work best for them, and in a lot of cases, it will be through the use of technology. I also believe that modern technologies will become more and more used in instruction and it will be harder for teachers to avoid using them. I believe that teachers should embrace any tools that can help their students learn and be successful, and in the world we live in, many of those tools are and will continue to be modern technology tools. Megan Hoagland
Reflection #5
I am on the fence with whether or not it is okay to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction. I do feel that there are many other varied means to teach and instruct student other than with the use of modern technology. Also, many teachers and students are not privileged to have access to these modern technologies. On the other hand, I do feel that teachers need to be teaching their students in the way that they learn best, and for some students that is through the use of modern technologies. I really believe that it comes down to knowing your students and knowing what will work best for them, and in a lot of cases, it will be through the use of technology. I also believe that modern technologies will become more and more used in instruction and it will be harder for teachers to avoid using them. I believe that teachers should embrace any tools that can help their students learn and be successful, and in the world we live in, many of those tools are and will continue to be modern technology tools.

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by Julia Stoudt http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3157 Julia Stoudt Sun, 06 May 2012 18:52:44 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3157 I believe that because of the age that we live in it is imperative to use technology when instructing students. I do believe that teachers should have to do a moderate amount of integration to help students prepare for their futures. With that being said there is a learning curve that administration has to take into consideration when making this demand on teachers. If this is the curriculum shift that we are looking for in order help our students be successful it is only fair that teachers have the time and resources to become comfortable with the change. I feel that there has to be adequate training involved and that it cannot be an “add-on” to what we are already doing. Other responsibilities of teachers will have to be decreased to make room for the amount of time and effort that will be involved in this process, especially in the beginning. All in all I truly feel that embracing new technology and alternate methods of instruction are extremely valuable in this day and age. Giving students more exploration time and letting them take responsibility for their learning is a great way to build a classroom full of “expert learners.” I believe that because of the age that we live in it is imperative to use technology when instructing students. I do believe that teachers should have to do a moderate amount of integration to help students prepare for their futures. With that being said there is a learning curve that administration has to take into consideration when making this demand on teachers. If this is the curriculum shift that we are looking for in order help our students be successful it is only fair that teachers have the time and resources to become comfortable with the change. I feel that there has to be adequate training involved and that it cannot be an “add-on” to what we are already doing. Other responsibilities of teachers will have to be decreased to make room for the amount of time and effort that will be involved in this process, especially in the beginning. All in all I truly feel that embracing new technology and alternate methods of instruction are extremely valuable in this day and age. Giving students more exploration time and letting them take responsibility for their learning is a great way to build a classroom full of “expert learners.”

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by Ginger Gow-Carnes http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3156 Ginger Gow-Carnes Sun, 06 May 2012 18:52:25 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3156 Reflection 5 – I think it is necessary to incorporate modern technology into the classroom and in instructions. In order to help digital native students learn, the old ways without modern technology is not good enough. The digital native students have different needs and as a teacher I need to be able to accommodate each students' needs so that he/she can achieve his/her potential as a student, and eventually become a productive adult in our society who can adjust, grow, adapt, innovate, multi-task in the digital world that is ever changing. Reflection 5 – I think it is necessary to incorporate modern technology into the classroom and in instructions. In order to help digital native students learn, the old ways without modern technology is not good enough. The digital native students have different needs and as a teacher I need to be able to accommodate each students’ needs so that he/she can achieve his/her potential as a student, and eventually become a productive adult in our society who can adjust, grow, adapt, innovate, multi-task in the digital world that is ever changing.

]]> Comment on Reflections (Phil) by Brittany Rotonda http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/udl-reflections/reflections-phil/comment-page-8/#comment-3155 Brittany Rotonda Sun, 06 May 2012 18:52:10 +0000 http://rtcudl.edublogs.org/?page_id=250#comment-3155 Reflection #5 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? No, I do not think it is okay to allow teachers to CHOOSE whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into instruction. Our building is a K Center so we are a close-knit group teaching at the same level. I believe we should all be on the same page and be aware of the different technology that we can be using every day in our classroom. Should the teachers be teaching the same exact lessons in each classroom…absolutely not. However, we all should be trained and should collaborate together to learn how to reach the digital learners. If we all expand our teaching strategies, we will be benefiting the students by having many interactive activities at our fingertips. Reflection #5
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?

No, I do not think it is okay to allow teachers to CHOOSE whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into instruction. Our building is a K Center so we are a close-knit group teaching at the same level. I believe we should all be on the same page and be aware of the different technology that we can be using every day in our classroom. Should the teachers be teaching the same exact lessons in each classroom…absolutely not. However, we all should be trained and should collaborate together to learn how to reach the digital learners. If we all expand our teaching strategies, we will be benefiting the students by having many interactive activities at our fingertips.

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