Reflection #4

Universal Design for Learning: Meeting the Needs of All Students

       I must say that I loved that this article and video covered such a key fact to learning; that we are all diverse learners that comprehend and approach learning differently. Taking down the walls/ barriers of an inflexible curriculum, and reshaping it to meet the needs of all students. “The UDL framework provides a flexible, responsive curriculum that reduces or eliminates barriers to learning. Using a UDL approach, SLPs and other educators offer curriculum options that present information and content in varied ways, differentiate the manner in which learners can express what they know, and engage students in meaningful, authentic learning.”(the article by Patti Ralabate)  In the video it covers the concept of 3 brain networks: recognition- the what of learning, skills/ strategies- the how of learning, and caring/ prioritizing- the why of learning. These are such value concepts in my book and I loved that the UDL program covers it. All learning starts with interest of the learner, through the what of learning students can identify a basic understanding, with the why of learning it allows students to make connections and to apply what they have learned. The why of learning helps to connect interest with answers and gives reasons to how things work, to comprehend things as a whole. I know from experience, that when you are working with students of vastly different needs/ supports and different ways of learning, it can be hard to meet all needs and it’s essential to have access to a flexible curriculum that helps to cut down the initial barrier.

       The UDL program seems to connect well with ISTE student standards #1 (creativity and innovation), and #4 (critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making). Students can use their existing knowledge to create new solutions and ideas, and discovering new information through the UDL program that is unique to them. They can also use their critical thinking and problem solving skills to identify new problems and solutions, to complete tasks, and to discover new information and alternative solutions through differing perspectives.

Video: http://www.udlcenter.org/resource_library/videos/udlcenter/udl#video0/

Article: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/universal-design-learning-meeting-needs-all-students

Reflection #3

What students do (and don’t do) in Khan Academy  By: Dan Meyer

       This article discusses the dos and don’ts of what students do in Khan Academy, which seems to be an online site with exercises (math) that are supposed to line up with common core standards. Dan Myer completed the Khan Academy 8th grade year and discovered what type of exercises/ work they are doing and how it’s produced. In his analysis Dan explains that, “This brief analysis has revealed that Khan Academy students are doing two primary kinds of work (analysis and calculating) and they’re expressing that work in two primary ways (as multiple-choice responses and as numbers). Meanwhile, the SBAC assessment of the CCSS emphasizes a different set of work and asks for more diverse expression of that work.”

       I really like how he explains the short comings of his results and how limited technology really is in terms of a child’s learning, and its missing key aspects that is better attained from a teacher. Though with time this type of technology, things can only get better. However it may be, the Khan academy’s limitations make sense but still with no exceptions; students need a well-rounded education that allows for more critical thinking, problem/ equation solving, etc. through other options than just multiple choice and fill in the blank. Dan makes an excellent point how students should enjoy learning, be flexible thinkers, and have a healthy understanding of themselves as learners. Though I see nothing wrong with multiple choice/ fill the blank answers, I do agree that there needs more to learning math. I feel as these two options limit a student’s thinking ability. With more calculating/ solving/ arguing types of questions it can allow for further and true understanding of the material given. Whereas the other two option give a higher chance of guessing without fully understanding the math material given.

       I’m not quite sure what ISTE student standards would connect with this article, I guess it could be related to #6 (Technology operations and concepts). As students learn to work with this online academy, understanding how its tools work, how to access the different exercises, and how to maneuver themselves through the site.

http://blog.mrmeyer.com/2014/what-students-do-and-dont-do-in-khan-academy/