EDLD 5364: Creating an eBook with BookBuilder

I had the opportunity to create an eBook using BookBuilder. My eBook is titled Economic Patterns of Early Texas Indians. This was an interesting experience and I had fun with the creation. My eBook can be found at the following website:

http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=share&book=87fddf51be369a5792040256f74a94eb&sid=9600

EDLD 5364: Creating a UDL

Using the UDL Lesson Builder was a new experience for me since we have different criteria for lesson building in my district. We use curriculum to explore, engage, explain, evaluate, and elaborate the concepts. Thinking about learning as far as a brain function was also new to me. Rather than thinking of the lesson in one dimension, the IDL and brain strategy networks helped me see the lesson from many viewpoints. This actually helped me considering my students are a variety of learners and learn in different ways. This helped me to differentiate my lesson to meet the needs of my learners. This strategy allowed me to align my lesson so students could gather facts using technology. They will then be able to plan and perform activities in order to strengthen their comprehension. I want to challenge my students and keep them engaged and excited about learning and I believe using the UDL layout will allow me to make sure I have added all the necessary components.

EDLD 5364: Week 2 Part 1

In the state of Texas, we teach according to a set of standards that our students are suppose to learn, Unfortunately, Texas hasn’t found a standard it doesn’t like. For example, in 7^th grade Science there are approximately 44 knowledge and skills standards to be taught within the school year. Of those 44, approximately 12 of the standards are tested on the STAAR test, I know that our first question to answer when planning a lesson is: What knowledge and skills do I want my students to have at the end of the lesson, but more frequently we ask ourselves: What do they need to know to pass the test? We spend a great deal of class time teaching standards that aren’t tested rather that teaching kids how to apply what they learn to real life.

            Students have a high motivation and interest when they are allowed to set learning goals and methods of assessment. I have found that students are generally harder on themselves and peers when grading projects and assignments. Classrooms are full of diversity whether it be culturally or academically. Using various methods of technology such as word processing applications, organizing and brainstorming software, data collection tools, web resources, and communication software can give all students the opportunity for success.

            When contemplating lesson planning and organization, Universal Design Learning (UDL) is a method that has become quite common. UDL applies built-in flexibility to curriculum and improves access to learning for all students. Multimedia tools can be used to create learning materials that are more flexible than textbooks. With the use of UDL, educators are able to make the information as well as learning accessible to all students. A successful learning environment supports and challenges students to recognize essential cues and patterns, master skillful strategies, and engage in learning while minimizing barriers. The UDL framework supports multiple, flexible methods of presentation, expression and apprenticeship, and for engagement. This structure allows students of varying degrees of academic and cultural diversity to succeed.

            Technology is becoming integrated into the classroom and curriculum as an increasing rate. I believe using the technology is fascinating and can really get the kids involved. I wonder though how students are to interact with technology assignments when they do not have access to the Internet at the home. How can I ask students to use a blog or wiki outside of school hours if they don’t have access? I have thought about trying to give them time during the class period to go to the library and use the computers, but by the time we finish our class discussions and activities, there isn’t any time left. I am literally teaching bell to bell. I have students that are more worried about having food, running water, electricity, and shelter rather than having Internet access to complete assignments.

EDLD 5364 Week 2 Web Conference

This weeks web conference was a bust. Dr. Boral was having trouble with the sound so all questions and responses had to be typed in the chat box. I felt so bad for Dr. Boral because she tried everything she could to get the sound to work. Web conferences where you have to read and following all the chat in the chat box is very difficult. I left the web conference and skyped with my group members to discuss and plan for the team project. I found this very useful since we had many questions for each other. We formulated a plan and assigned duties. Even though the class web conference didn't go well, I was still able to use the time wisely and meet with my team members.

EDLD 5364: Week 1 Part 1

Technology is changing the world. Competition is fierce and can come from anywhere in the world. People that see technology as a driving force in education are eager to learn and incorporate the technology into their daily lives. Bloggers communicate for a variety of reasons. Companies create web pages and wikis to track commodities and customer satisfactions. Education must change with the technology. As workplace skills become more technology based, educators must use current technology to engage and prepare the students for the future. Collaboration and communication must expand to better serve students and teachers. This will cause a transformation in student thinking and educator teaching methods. Students already use technology for communicating, playing video games, conducting internet searches, using the web for homework, and sharing music and video files. Teachers need to engage the students by using technology that is already being used outside of the school walls. Since students learn in a variety of ways, technology can be used as a powerful educator tool to introduce different teaching strategies.

Constructivism is a learning theory that states learning is a product of experience and social discourse. This theory allows learning to be a personal event for each individual. Knowledge is constructed in many ways and experience is used to create new learning experiences. According to this theory, teachers should provide learner-centered opportunities with plenty of chances for students to reflect on what has been learned.

Connectivism is another learning theory which states learning is a process of connecting information sources. Knowing more is more critical than knowing what is current. Making connections between ideas, concepts, and fields is a core skill. Learning and work related activities are connected while technology and making connections are linked.

Various technologies can enhance student learning, but only if used appropriately, Technologies can bring excitement to curriculum, connect real world problems, expand opportunities for learning, give opportunities for feedback, and build local and global communities. Children process information differently, and introducing and using a variety of technology resources can aid in the learning process. Technology is a tool to help students problem solve and create a better understanding of the world around us.

EDLD 5364 Week 1 Web Conference

I enjoy attending web conferences because it gives everyone the chance to ask questions and clarify problems. I find that sometimes it’s difficult to follow the conversations and questions since there is so much going on. Dr. Boral clarified documents that we need to complete and went over the assignment for this week. We have transitioned from Epic to Blackboard and everyone has run into major problems. Because the discussion board has been difficult to manage, Dr. Boral decided that we did not have to post our discussion responses and everyone would receive credit. Some of our IA’s changed due to the move to Blackboard. I have always had Creighton for the last 10 classes, but my new IA is Linda Marshall. I don’t know how I feel about this since Creighton is an awesome IA. This is my 11^th class and I wish they could have left things the way they were until I finish this and my next class. It’s difficult to learn a new system this late in the game. Anyway, we have a team assignment this class. I have a great team of ladies and we have worked on projects together before. Laura Dacus, Mary Thrasher, and Lauren Ramondetta are fantastic and I’m glad I get to work with them again. Our Google docs page has already been created and shared with the faculty, so we are off to a roaring start.

EDLD 5363: Week 3 Web Conference (November 29, 2011)

On Tuesday, November 29, 2011 I attended a very small web conference. There might have been 10 students in attendance. I don’t think this was a scheduled conference, but since there were connection problems the night before, Dr. Abernathy decided to squeeze this one in. I really like the web conferences with smaller attendance. There is more room for individualized questions and instruction. This is a lot like my classes. I find that if I have 24 students in a classroom, it is harder on instruction time and classroom management versus having 12 to 15 in a classroom.

Dr. Abernathy was still in New Orleans at a conference. She went back through an explained the assignment for weeks 3-5 and clarified questions. She stressed that we needed to be working collaboratively with all people in our groups. She also suggested using GoogleDocs with different colors to identify each person and their contributions. Since we did have a small group, we were able to ask and answer questions among ourselves. I like being able to help fellow classmates and actually knew the answers to some of the questions.

Unfortunately about 20 minutes into the conference, Dr. Abernathy had to take a phone call. During the phone call she lost her connection and never returned to the conference. The rest of us hung out for about 10 minutes talking and helping each other, but once we decided that Dr. Abernathy wasn’t going to be able to return, we decided as a class to end the session.