UDL

UDL: designing curriculum providing individuals with equal opportunities to learn

Shouldn't this just be the norm?? There is not one student or person who learns exactly the same as anyone else, we all know that.  Education should be geared directly to this idea that everyone is coming from a different background, cognitive and comprehension development where they will learn and connect in their own personal way.  If we as educators approach teaching expecting the curriculum to be used by a diverse set of students with varying skills and abilities, we will be able to have a better chance of really connecting to our students and helping them learn efficiently.  

By presenting information and concepts, plan and execute learning tasks and stay engaged in our student's learning, it is a set up for success for all.  UDL helps meet the challenges of diversity by recommending the use of flexible instructional materials, techniques, and strategies that empower educators to meet students’ diverse needs. 

The UDL framework is grounded in three principles:

• Multiple means of representation – using a variety of methods to present information, provide a range of means to support
• Multiple means of action and expression – providing learners with alternative ways to act skillfully and demonstrate what they know
• Multiple means of engagement – tapping into learners’ interests by offering choices of content and tools; motivating learners by offering adjustable levels of challenge

For example, today was a great day teaching math with my 4th graders.  We started a unit on fractions last week during my takeover, and it was taking them a little bit longer than I had anticipated.  I left on Friday not confident in how much they knew about fractions and if they were really getting the math.  Between Friday and today, it was night and day.  How I constructed them math was we would do a little mini-warmup, introduce the idea and question, then they would work with partners to find out their strategy.  In my opinion on Friday, they/we were stumped.  Today, my CT Lindsay gave a great recommendation of something very basic to go over just prior to releasing them again and I believe it really helped!  Students basically got into groups, were sharing strategies and moving forward.  At the end of class, I had 3 pairs come up to share their strategy on the board.  Three very different strategies, but all were clearly explained and easy to follow.  I love doing strategy share because it gave the kids ownership of what worked for them.  One of the strategy was tangible with pieces of paper, cut and folded then compared.  The hands on really helped a lot of students and also the mini-warmup was a great way to bring them back into the fractions again from last week.   

My whole point of sharing today's lesson was that I leaned that even if it takes a little longer and they might seem like they are not totally on key, they are using what works for them in their own way in order to understand the question.  UDL goes with anything and everything too!  There is not one way to tie your shoe, not one way to draw, not one way to cook, etc.  UDL brings out the individually special person in everyone! 

My PLN, My People, my Passion

When I am asked to write about my Personal Learning Network, I immediately think of my people, my web, my connections to the world.  I know Facebook can sometimes get a bad reputation because of how much is available and out there for the world, but for me it is one of the best networks ever!  I am able to stay connected to my extremely large family, and my friends and family around the world.  I know that without Facebook, I would not know most of what is going on in my "people's" lives.  Even if my brother is only in Fresno, or my friend lives in Santa Barbara, I may not talk to or see them all the time.  Facebook allows this information to carry through and keep each other informed.  This is especially nice for me because since I lived abroad, I have not been back to see those important people, so it's crucial to have this connection with them.  They became my family, so Facebook keeps our lives current and informed.  The only flip side I have to Facebook is when people put too much information out there whether it's their problems, frustrations, confessions, or just simply drama.  No need for dirty laundry.  Which is why I keep my posts and pay attention to other postings that are fun, exciting, up to date and important!

Another big PLN for me is Pinterest.  What was life like before Pinterest!?! It is such an organized, detailed, endless source of resources and ideas.  I LOVE the whole idea of organizing and having a place for your ideas, what is important to you, or tools that you can use...especially for the classroom!

Clearly, I LOVE communicating through technology with "my people," and having an excellent tool for organizing countless ideas and strategies!

Praise

This video is awesome.  Colleen shared this with me and it totally makes sense to me and I agree! By changing the "praise," we encourage motivation, work ethics and believing in yourself! 

For the love of the game!

Life is all about connections, relationships and purpose.  

Personal Learning Networks

A network of individuals, organizations, resources that can help you learn, access resources, find experts, achieve mastery, inspire and provide support.

When asked what your passionate about in life, in networks, and especially in education, there are countless possibilities fortunately that can qualify.  When regarding education, our children, our next generations, I found that youth sports and athletics is very dear and important to me.  I feel so lucky to have had the opportunities growing up to always be playing or participating in sports or on a team. I don't know how my parents did it, but looking back now, it's just a blessing and amazing.  I was involved in basketball, softball, cheer, girl scouts, tennis, soccer, etc.  I love that I was able to be exposed to many opportunities and had fun through all!  The best part of it all now looking back as an adult, is I learned more than just how to play the game.  I learned competition, teamwork, motivation, practice, follow through, directions, believing in goals, and so much more.  

Regarding Personal Learning Networks, sports can be branched off into countless ways.  Not only did those sports and networks teach me about hard work, but I looked to the experts!  Those professionals playing those sports, winning those superbowls, those world series, etc.  Even though, in my eyes they were champions, I also knew very well that it took a lot of hard work for those athletes to get to where they are which gave me reason to believe in myself to continue practicing.  I knew I'd probably never be an expert in any sport, but having that faith in yourself hoping to do what you are capable of and enjoy is confidence and having the dream! With all of those experts though, my true heroes were my parents.  My dad was always my basketball coach, my mom my troop leader.  They weren't professionals, but I was always hungry to learn from them which I'm still doing at 31!

In education and for young children, I think sports are so beneficial for community, confidence and health.  No matter what and how your ability is, that feeling of being part of a team is priceless.  These were some really cool videos that I fell in love with this morning on the Today Show! Enjoy.

'I was the best': Team Louisiana becomes national champions at Special Olympics

http://www.today.com/video/today/56292573#56292573

What's your passion?

    This video was posted on Facebook and I just think she and her story is beautiful!  It really proves that anyone, at any level, with any disability can find and have quality and purpose.  Mikayla's parents said that even though she has trouble articulating what she means sometimes, she can express herself through her dance.  I LOVED what her teacher says when asked what Mikayla has taught her. She replies saying that she is a positive and constant reminder of what dance, art and live is all about!  The beauty and forms of expression are absolutely powerful and beautiful.  Quick video about her condition, her excelling success in ballet and all of their outlook on life and living completely.

Awesome.  What's your passion? Enjoy.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/26807899/down-syndrome-dancer-reminds-instructor-what-dance-is-all-about

Average or Specific?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBmyttcfU4

I loved this video, as it provides an excellent comparison that one size does NOT fit all.  Every child is one of a kind with their own brain, capabilities, talents, stretches, and comprehension.  If we find a way to taylor to each child, it would benefit and excel them to their possible positive potential.  Average is too general, too impersonal, and even stereotypical!  With where our society has come from and where we are headed, we have so much more recognized diversity, new technology, etc.

The example about the cockpit where they spend so much time and detail to accommodate for pilots but each pilot, body and individual is going to be different.  With all of the variations, they had to come up with solutions that weren't just "average," but had to be appropriate for each pilot.

While I found this speech to be very powerful and true, I did think of how this may or may not create segregation and more separation between students and isn't that what we are trying to avoid?  Yes, however, it shouldn't be looked at always as competition.  It's receiving the appropriate tools that you need to grow and achieve as a successful individual in education and in society.  This idea came up about 2/3's into the video where he discusses creating ways for these students, and those students.  Even though my mind went there, the term "appropriateness" came back to me.  If we can reach our students and what they as individuals need for their own learning, and not necessarily make it a competition, but rather useful and personal tools to continue moving forward!

Is there too much information out there?

My immediate reaction is that technology is extremely efficient and convenient in this new world of progress.  However, there is just SO much available out there, almost too much sometimes.  Sure, it's easier to "Google" anything and everything, but that's just it...anything and everything is available! Bad and good.  The world is a lot smaller now with technology which when used appropriately, it's a great thing! My main point being when technology is used appropriately and safely, then it is powerful and extremely helpful.  What scares me about technology is with all the psychos in this world, extreme radicals who know and have too much access to what they shouldn't know, and let alone personal privacy and safety.  Sure, technology can be regulated when used in the classroom, but once the students are on their own, it can be a different story.

When students can access computers, typing, and online resources, I think it's awesome because it's the truth about where we are today and where we will continue to move forward into.  Again, my main word is "appropriately."  Looking up definitions, articles, etc. are useful tools and I'm excited to see where it all goes!

Interesting Read!

http://bigthink.com/endless-innovation/information-overload-there-has-always-been-too-much-to-know