Self Reflection--Module 1

An area that I feel confident in is how I present my information in several different ways.  Part of the UDL model is providing students with multiple means of representation.  I think of all of my learners--those who are visual learners, interpersonal learners, auditory learner.  I try to incorporate something to make sure that all students are represented.  I show videos, play songs, do simulations; basically anything that stimuates my students.  I spend much time looking up Youtube videos to "get" my students, but even if I use a Youtube video, I also add in some type of kinesthetic activity for my students who move around as a means to present information.  The back of the screen is not white on my PowerPoint, rather it is colorful and interesting. Information is large and not overwhelming on the PowerPoint.  Any video I play has captioning so that students who have a hard time hearing (I have students who have hearing impairments) or are visual learners can also learn from the video.  My strongest area is "Provide Multiple Means of Representation." I believe my strongest point is 1.1 "Offer ways of customizing the display of information."

I.    Provide Multiple Means of Representation:	Your notes
1.     Provide options for perception
1.1 Offer ways of customizing the display of information	Variance of matching materials (some reading, some pictures, some illustrations, some memos)
1.2 Offer alternatives for auditory information	Video with closed captioning—all informationthat was read was also textually represented at the bottom of the screen Laptops set up so that students who learn better orally can listen to a clip about the acts and predict information
1.3 Offer alternatives for visual information	Video has person reading the closed captioning and information Video had music that was considered pop culture

I enjoy showing Youtube videos.  This is a screenshot of some of my saved videos:

The area I need to improve is how my students express their learning.  There has been a push recently for our students to write more in our classroom as a result of the high stakes testing.  Much of how I have my students represent their learning is through writing and for some of my students, this is not the way they best represent their learning.  In addition, I would also like to optimize access to tools and assistive technologies (4.2 of the UDL guidelines).  This area falls into the II category of "providing multiple means for action and expression"

4.2 Optimize access to tools and assistive technologies

Set up link on website for students to get information, such as predictions and graphic organizers.  Student can type in information and print it out or save it to their drive to prevent lost or illegible notes

Wiki Spaces Tool Kit

http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com

Over the past few days, I have the chance to explore the Wiki Spaces Tool Kit.  I enjoyed reading the "About UDL" as it was written from the point of view of a teacher who gets one of the major issues in education is money.  On the Wiki Spaces site, there are free tools for teachers to use to help all of our students.  In addition, there are several links to other places that teachers can use to help his or her students.  Audio book links, collaborative tool links--every teacher in any area can use this site to reach all students.

One of the ways I check for understanding with my students is through the creation of stories.  I list a series of words on the board after a lesson and the students must use each of those words to explain an event in history.  We have done this for Valley Forge and the Battle of Bunker Hill.

           Story Time!

Bunker Hill.             General Gage.               Victory

Gunpowder.            Fire!                               Retreat

After exploring the tool kit, I have found several sites that allow students to tell create visual stories and become storytellers.  Storybird for example, allows anyone to tell a story, complete with illustrations, animations and the students can share their stories.  I can't wait to use this site when my teaching the Civil War in a few weeks.  My ultimate goal of checking for understanding is still accomplished, but I feel my learners will enjoy this form of storytelling much more.

www.storybird.com

 Source: http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com

UDL Case Study

Once a teacher begins to truly evaluate their teaching methods, they are able to find some of the hidden barriers that create obstacles for students in their classroom.  On the Cast website, teachers will find the Curriculum Barriers Tutorial.  Here, there are opportunities to interact with different student scenarios, situations, obstacles, and barriers that teachers may come across in their teaching and best of all, ways to overcome these barriers.  You identify student qualities, materials and methods, and potential barriers on this tutorial to help your students succeed.

Kenny (name changed for privacy) was a student in my social studies class with ADHD and severe organizational problems (student qualities).  One of the major parts of the curriculum is the 8th grade final thesis paper.  This paper involves note-taking, library sessions, use of laptops, reading, use of the internet, direct instruction, citations, several graphic organizers, drafts, and a a final draft (materials and methods).  It can be an organizational nightmare for a student like Kenny and he may have trouble keeping track of what he has read and lose his materials (potential barriers).  Although I do provide all students with a folder, I realize that this is still not enough for Kenny.

www.noodletools.com

After completing the tutorial, I have a better understanding and idea for how to overcome the barrier Kenny (and other students) may face during the thesis paper.  Using assistive technology, I will have my students use an on-line program for notes.  I did some research and found a program that organizes students and helps them keep together their work for a thesis paper (they can even use this through high school).  I will instruct students how to use this program, upload my notes to it, and have the students use it.  This program organizes note-cards, keeps track of citations, sends me progress monitoring for all students, and keeps track of all information so that students no longer have to carry around a messy folder and risk losing their notes.  Not only will Kenny, but I think all of my students will benefit from this program and I am excited to use it!



Source: http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/curriculumbarrierstemplate.cfm