Chapter Eight

Focusing on the limitations of the curriculum rather than the limitations of students is the basic idea proposed in chapter eight. This chapter expounds on the UDL program implemented within the Concord school district. Ms. Palley is very adept at bringing together several different parties to accomplish the UDL goal. The results are impressive. This school system has a digital library available to all teachers. The text is already digitized and available for downloading. In addition, a teacher may submit digitized text for use by other educators. Ms. Palley is working with CAST and the CEC to create curriculum that addresses potential barriers during the development stage. This would eliminate the need to retrofit the curriculum. I think that one of the greatest challenges in implementing an extensive UDL program would be developing cooperation and collaboration among administration, teachers, parents, etc. It is very heartening that the Concord group worked together so efficiently in order to benefit the whole student body. Just a thought - I would like to see companies that develop curricular materials include digitized formats of the materials. This would compensate for the lack of technology (such as scanners) in economically challenged schools.

Chapter Six

Chapter six describes four perspectives in learning environments. The four learning environments are learner centered, knowledge centered, assessment centered, and community centered. Choosing to implement only one of the four environments would not be appropriate. A combination, or including components of each environment is essential in creating a balanced classroom. Learner centered environments prompt the teacher to consider the knowledge and experiences that each student brings to the classroom. Culturally appropriate content and assignments are also major components of the learner centered environment. Knowledge centered environments include the "big ideas" of knowledge that are so important for learners. Assessment centered environments include both formative and summative assessments. Providing feedback to the learner throughout the process. Community centered environments ensure a sense of connectedness among schools, students, teachers, families, local community, and extending outward to include the international community. Community centered environments also emphasize the relevance of learned content in the "real world" outside the classroom. The importance of combining elements from the four perspectives is in creating integrated understanding. Integrated understanding will lend itself to providing a framework for developing the skills necessary to generalize information throughout one's lifetime.

Chapter Six

Chapter six details specific instructional strategies that address each of the three networks. I really like the statement that our understanding of learning and teaching is constantly changing. This can also be said of our understanding of brain functioning. As more is discovered about how different individuals acquire, process, retain, and utilize information, instructional approaches will improve. I found three prominent words in chapter six: multiple, flexible, and choices. In multiple, the idea is to provide a variety of ways in which information is presented. Flexible refers to the ways in which learners access the information. Lastly, choices refer to students having options throughout the learning process. "Choices" is a key factor in motivation. Motivation can determine whether or not a student will apply his or herself to learning the given information. Finally, I can appreciate the idea that while we all share a common goal, each student must reach this goal by following his or her own path.

Chapter Four: UDL

This chapter was a good review of the networks and brain research discussed in previous chapters. I think that it is important for educators to have a good understanding of the ideas and research underlying UDL principles. Many times, educational programs are implemented without any knowledge of why or how the program came into existence. The beginning of UDL is well documented as an architectural innovation. The architectural innovations improve many facets of life including education. UDL is intent upon building particular qualities in learners including: recognizing essential cues and patterns, mastering skillful strategies for action, and engaging with learning. Furthermore, UDL provides a wide variety of learning opportunities and flexibility in order to address the different learning modalities. It would be very difficult, if not impossible, for a classroom teacher to implement the fundamentals of the UDL approach without incorporating digital media. Digital media provides a wide variety of instructional programs which can be modified and adapted to accommodate a diverse group of learners.

Alternate Format Activity

I have experienced great difficulties in my attempt to utilize the Kurzweil 3000 software. After watching the tutorial, the tools are easy to locate and use. However, the "edit text" option does not appear to be compatible with my computer. Upon selecting the "edit text" option, my computer froze (over and over again). Aside from this problem, I can see where the Kurzweil program would be very useful in a classroom setting. Although expressionless, the animated voice is clear. I would be hesitant to use this device for literature. The underlying meaning would not be conveyed. The options to highlight text and add bubble notes are very useful. Many students become overwhelmed by too much text, and these options would redirect the focus. I would definitely use this program in a class. Although, much preparation time would be needed to work out all of the possible problems.

UDL Division Lesson Part Five

NYS Standards

Math, Science and Technology

Standard 1 – Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

Standard 2 – Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Objective

Given materials, each student will correctly solve (by selected option) at least eight of ten division problems.

Materials

Manipulatives (space blocks, chips, etc.), pears, candy, prepared stations, pre-selected websites, assignment format (computer), digital camera, and adaptive technology

Introduction

Division is the opposite of multiplication. If you can multiply numbers, then you can divide numbers. For example: 2 X 2 = 4; therefore, 4 / 2 =2. Let us look at this problem another way.

4 / 2 = _____

*The first number in our division sentence tells us how many objects we have, the / tells us that we need to divide or group the objects, the next number tells us how many equal groups we need to create.

*Your partner and you have four pears. If you share the pears equally, you will each have how many pears?

OOOO / OO = OO and OO so you each have two pears.

*The dividend is the number of all the objects (4), the divisor is the number of groups (2), and the dividend is the number of objects in each group (2). If you multiply the dividend and the divisor, the answer will be the quotient.

OO X OO = OOOO So, multiplication and division are opposites.

Group Activities

The students will rotate as small groups through three stations. Each station will provide an activity and practice in simple division. The students will spend approximately fifteen minutes in each station.

Station One: The students will work with the instructor using manipulatives such as space blocks, balls, chips, etc. to complete a series of division problems.

Station Two: The students will work as a group (peer tutoring) to solve division word problems. For example, how many equal groups of two can you make from the students at this station?

Station Three: Students will work in pairs on pre-selected computer programs that will reinforce their division skills. The websites include:

http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/apples/default.htm#
http://www.gamequarium.com/division.html

Independent Activity

The students will be given ten division problems. They will use manipulatives to follow the division rule and solve the problems. The students will have options from which to choose for how they complete this assignment. The assignment options include: the traditional format (paper and pencil), computer format (virtual manipulatives could be grouped and a solution formulated), and digital format (concrete manipulatives could be grouped and the photos stored on a digital camera). The computer and digital formats would be printed upon completion.

Closure

The lesson will be closed by reviewing the instructions for simple division. The final division problem will include the whole class: How many students are in this class? If I have (some number depending upon student body) pieces of candy, how should we divide the candy evenly? Students would work toward finding a solution and collect their portion of the candy.

Summary of Technos Discussion Board

October 19, 2007

The TC Technos were responsible for reading and discussing the New York Times article “The Lessons of Classroom 506” by L. Belkin. Overall the group generated reactions to three questions. First, how would you feel about working in a classroom like 506? Second, do you think this is a positive setting for Thomas’ non-disabled peers? Third, do you think that the inclusive setting would be a good fit for Sapphire?

In response to the possibility of working in a classroom similar to class 506, the Technos were very positive. The dominant thought was that the setting provided much of the expertise, technology, and social interaction that Thomas needed to progress. However, there was concern about the level of parental involvement. All members agree that parents should be a part of the educational team. Nevertheless, some hesitation was expressed about the parents playing such an integral part on a daily basis.

The second question involved the benefits of having both children with and without disabilities in the same classroom setting. There was a unanimous belief that only positive experiences could arise from such a diverse setting. The advantages mentioned included gaining open-mindedness, empathy, and the opportunity to experience different perspectives. All participants expressed a hope that their own children would attend such a classroom.

Finally, the Technos considered the pros and cons of placement for Sapphire. Sapphire is the student we observed in the last lecture. She was learning to use adaptive technology in order to improve communication, motor, and academic skills. Participants in this discussion decided that Sapphire should be included in the inclusive setting. The Technos contend that Sapphire’s social nature would flourish in an open environment. Although, they believe that the setting should be determined on an individual basis.

Reported by Stephanie Harmon

Ideas for Improving the Division Lesson

I plan to incorporate a variety of methods (using the UDL principles) in order to address the different learning modalities of students. Some ideas include using:

*space blocks - these three dimensional blocks would be a good concrete way of visualizing division. The blocks are easily moved by individuals with moderate fine motor skills.

*an overhead projector and division transparencies - While the students used space blocks at their work stations, I would be modeling division problems using the projector and transparencies.

*online division games - I would include different online division games and programs in this division lesson. Online games increase motivation, present the information in a clear and colorful format, and allow the learner to choose his or her own speed. An example is http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/apples/default.htm# This is a game called save the apples. It has varying levels of difficulty and the students would love the scary music. Another example is http://www.gamequarium.com/division.html This site contains a tutorial on division as well as various games.

These are just a few ideas. Please feel free to post your suggestions. Thanks.

Ambiguous Division Instructions UDL Project

Dividing by Repeated Subtractions

The result of division is to separate a group of objects into several equal smaller groups. The starting group is called the dividend. The number of groups that are separated out is called the divisor. The number of objects in each smaller group is called the quotient.

The results of division can be obtained by repeated subtraction. If we are separating 24 objects into 6 equal groups of four, we would take (or subtract) four objects at a time from the large group and place them in 6 equal groups. In mathematical terms this would be: 24-4-4-4-4-4-4.

I found this set of instructions for simple division to be overly confusing. I plan to create a lesson that will explain division using the principles of UDL. I found this example on http://www.321know.com

This is a photograph of the ambiguous sign. There are many NO STANDING signs throughout the city.

UDL Challenge (Before)

I have found many things in New York City to be somewhat ambiguous. For example: subway announcements; subway rules for weekends and holidays; when to hail a taxi or not; and finally, the parking signs. Fortunately, I do not drive in the city. However, I witness the confusion and frustration of people trying to find spaces and avoid tickets everyday. This sign is my favorite, taken literally it has absolutely nothing to do with automobiles. "NO STANDING"
The definition of "STANDING" is as follows according to the New York City Department of Transportation-
The stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.

Interview with Dr. Richard Keller

Dr. Keller was very engaging. I wonder, does he often give presentations for other education classes at TC? His insight was very enlightening, I had never considered the opposing needs in regard to city sidewalks. I acquired a great deal of information from this interview including the "true" definitions and distinctions of assistive and adaptive technology. I agree, adaptive does imply that the technology is being altered to better serve the individual. Individualizing is the underlying idea of UDL. I also particularly appreciate Dr. Keller's definition for a disability, "The disability is not within me, it is somewhere between me and my interaction with whatever it is I am trying to do". This statement could be a motto for the disability rights movement paradigm. Finally, in regard to the two versions of "Points to Remember", the second version was far superior. The large print, prominent photographs, and bright colors made the information much more memorable.

What is Problem Solving?

This was a rather amusing article. For me, problem solving has always been an intimidating aspect of both technology and mathematics. However, after many years I have learned that resistance is futile. Perhaps if educators introduced the idea of problem solving in a friendly way students would not be so resistant to the uncertainty involved. In education, errors are unacceptable. The very idea of having to use a heuristic is inconceivable. Students are taught concrete rules that apply to only a specific set of problems. When an unexpected situation arises we are left with only our wits, because the rules no longer apply. I think the advice of breaking the problem down into workable steps is very applicable. This can be linked to the general idea of teaching. In order for a student to fully comprehend a "big idea", the small facets of collective information must be understood.

How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School

This chapter does well in comparing the characteristics of novices and experts. Novices seem to be acquiring pertinent information without yet knowing how to organize the facts. Experts have acquired a bulk of information, organized the facts/rules into retrievable patterns, and are capable of seeing the "big picture". The ability to form and recognize patterns, select an appropriate action, and choose necessary steps can be likened to the use of heuristics. Educators should work toward not only supplying the ideas and facts of a subject, but also how to manipulate the information in various situations.

Why We Need Flexible Instructional Media

The section "Reading Text-The Role of the Affective Networks" in chapter three was especially interesting and personally meaningful. I think experienced readers all too often take for granted the ease with which we can attribute meaning and emotion to implied situations within text. I can see very clearly, after reading about how the different networks may or may not be processing certain information, the benefits of including forms of digital media in instruction. While teaching beginning and emerging readers I noticed the varying abilities and proclivities within the student body. I tried to include as many different reading environments (including both traditional and digital media) as possible to accommodate a diverse population. However, I was not aware of the underlying causes for the learning differences. Many individuals have difficulty ascribing emotional value to text. Including multiple types of media would enable students to manipulate the information as needed. This is both an effective and efficient way of individualizing instruction. Giving students the flexibility of modifying instructional content would also increase the motivation to learn and explore material.

What Brain Research Tells Us About Learner Differences

I found chapter two to be very interesting. The brain is considered to be the final frontier, medically speaking, since so little is actually known about this organ. Not long ago, people were placed into one of two categories: right brain or left brain dominant. So, a person could either be creative or analytical. I enjoy reading about the new discoveries, and this is a very rich time for brain research. The implications will be wide reaching in the fields of medicine and education. There was a tremendous amount of information in this chapter. The discussion of the three networks (recognition, strategic, and affective), their functions, the interconnectedness, and the educational significance provided a great deal of insight into the different learning modalities. This information will be very useful for students in both regular and special education settings. The more educators learn about how individuals acquire, retain, and use information, the better classroom instruction will become.

A Short Biography

Hello, my name is Stephanie Harmon. I am a new student at Columbia Teacher's College. I will be working toward my MA in Severe and Multiple Disabilities. I have a fair amount of experience in the education world. I taught both regular and special education in Memphis, TN for three years. Before teaching, I collected various certifications and worked as a paraprofessional across the United States.

On a more personal note, I am married to a brilliant scientist, Michael, and have an adorable though somewhat portly dog named Domino. I am originally from Arkansas (birthplace of the greatest American president). My favorite book is "Of Human Bondage" by Somerset Maugham, and my favorite movies are "Annie Hall" and "Harold and Maude". I listen to jazz, Nick Drake, David Gray, and most recently The Frames. I love to RUN!

I have already learned a substantial amount from this course, as I now have a blog. I hope to learn about strategies that will improve the academic achievement and quality of life of my students.