Reaching and Engaging all Learners Through Technology 6714

When this course began I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with the idea of Differentiated Instruction and Universal Design for Learners.  The idea of DI and UDL isn’t anything new for me but its something that I just tried to avoid and concentrating only on my plans to try to get the most out of my learners without really taking steps that really aren’t that difficult to do to ensure that all learners are going to do well in my classes. 

            The biggest misconception that I had about DI and UDL is that I assumed that I was to make an individual lesson plan for each student.  This course opened my eyes to the fact that DI and UDL are methods or steps that I can take to ensure that almost all students are comfortable with the material that is being taught.  The belief that I have always had was and still is that everyone has the ability to learn but just not in the same way.  In my classroom I have a poster hanging that reads: “Everyone learns, but not everyone learns in the same way.”  DI and UDL make it easier for all of my students to learn and understand the material that I am teaching them. 

            The first adjustment that I am going to make I am going to make in my instructional practices is to use the different resources that I have found and my classmates found to help in my planning.  There are a plethora of resources available with regards to technology, but using these resources properly is the most important thing.  I have heard that the most dangerous weapon in the world is a United States Marine and his/her rifle.  That is to say anyone can have a rifle, but only the person who has proper training and thoroughly understands what they have and don’t have is more dangerous than someone who uses something without really understanding it.  The technological resources that I have available to use may be difficult to use at first, but with practice and proper implementation these resources can be used effectively in the classroom. 

            I am looking forward to trying to use the interactive concept map that www.glogster.com allows me to create.  I am excited to create different Voicethreads that will allow me to narrate and illustrate different assignments for all of my students.  I am anxious to try to implement WebQuests that give students different tasks in their groups so that they can do their part in a manner that they are most comfortable with.  The ability to allow students to chose the path that suits their needs the best is a great thing because it allows students to learn in an environment and in a method that they are the most comfortable with.  When the students chose the method that they are the most comfortable with they are more likely to learn and express themselves more confidently.