Final Reflection—EDUC 6714—Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology

This course has been instrumental in supporting my transition into a more differentiated learning environment. It has been a wonderful learning experience that was rich in resources and collaborative opportunities. This class has guided me through the process of gathering data on my students in order to address their specific and unique needs, and has also helped me to customize my instruction through increased use of Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction concepts. With these two approaches, I have discovered ways to "take down barriers while building scaffolds, supports, and alternatives" and how to customize learning by providing choices (Meo, 2008, p. 22).

I now have the tools that I will need to begin planning for and managing a more differentiated classroom. Throughout the course, I have focused on ways that technology can help me implement the changes I want to make in order to make my content more accessible and more motivating by offering multiple methods of delivery, engagement, and expression. Howard (2004) adds: “This, in turn, allows teachers a multidimensional view of their students as learners, and offers teachers unique insights into assessing student’s knowledge, interest, and understanding” (p. 27). One of the most significant contributions from this course is the realization that students thrive when allowed to make choices, have options, and become active members of their learning community.

Participating in our social network has widened my scope of possibilities by sharing resources and perspectives with my peers. With the ever-increasing list of technology tools, this collaboration has eased the enormity and paired me with other technology advocates. I have benefited from the expertise of my classmates and their views on how to use technology to facilitate maximum learning potential. With the resources, feedback, and insights from the members of my social networking group, I now have solid support and suggestions on ways to differentiate my classroom. These resources have been key in helping me to plan for, organize, and build activities and instruction that will address the diversity in my students. Bray, Brown, & Green (2004) state that: “Meeting the needs of diverse learners is a challenging opportunity” (p. 19). Although I still can see challenges, because of this course my emphasis is now on opportunities.

Changes that I will begin to make immediately as a result of this class are to have students complete a survey regarding their backgrounds and interests; to analytically look for adaptations I can make in my daily lessons, activities, and assessments that would support the diversity of my students; to start with small changes and continue to build on successful practices; and to widen my support system with co-workers, administrators, community, and especially, my students. I will also continue to investigate current and new technologies and how they could be utilized in my classroom to enrich the learning of all students and provide them with skills that will help them make a “seamless transition” into the work world (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). By implementing these changes now and merging technology with my content, I can expose my students to a classroom that is as diverse as they are.

References

Bray, M., Brown, A., & Green, T. (2004). Technology and the diverse learner: A guide to classroom practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Howard, K. L. (2004). Universal design for learning: Meeting the needs of all students. International Society for Technology in Education, 31(5), 26-29. Retrieved from the ERIC database.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009a). Program twenty-two. Reflection [Motion picture]. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Author.

Meo, G. (2008). Curriculum planning for all learners: Applying universal design for learning (UDL) to a high school reading comprehension program. Preventing School Failure, 52(2), 21-30.