Reflection of Walden Course 6714

Q:Summarize how you will use the resources in the Differentiation Station social network to help you implement the principles of Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction.

A: I will use the resources in the Differentiated Station social network to help you implement the principles of Universal Design for learning and differentiated instruciton by using thoughtful planning, organization, and management are required on my part as a teacher. I feel that I am a thoughtful and organized teacher, however there is always room for improvement, therefore my plan is to continue to be a self reflective teacher that continues to improve upon my classroom.
In order to determine my student’s academic strengths and weaknesses, I will rely on many things one of which being multiple online survey’s for student’s learning styles, intelligence preferences, and learning profiles. The online surveys/websites I will use are:
http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm
http://people.usd.edu/~bwjames/tut/learning-style/
http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSpage.html

I will modify my learning environment to meet the needs of my diverse learners by utilizing flexible use of time, space, groupings, methods, and materials (Laureate Education, Inc, 2009). In order to add differentiated elements to my instruction, I will need to find time in the curriculum to allow students to create something with their groups utilizing technology. This course has allowed me to see the different ways that I can incorporate student choice and further curriculum while still utilizing technology.


Q: Describe any immediate adjustments you will make to your instructional practice
regarding the use of technology integration to customize instruction as a result of your learning from this course.

A: My immediate adjustment will be to modify assignments based on strengths and weaknesses, instead of asking them to complete all twenty homework problems, ask them to complete the odds or the first eight, other students do not need to know and we need to remember that fair and even are not the same thing (Laureate Education, Inc. 2009). Another way to implement various forms of assessment is to have the same perspective about long term assignments, assign groups with modifications in mind. My other immediate plan is to obtain further technology by getting my own class headset and continuing to have open communication with the librarians, for lap top carts, and the computer lab technician for use of the computer lab. I will also continue to use Discovery Education (http://discoveryeducation.com/) as it has so many excellent tools for differentiated instruction, including my classroom builder, which allows the teacher to assign different assignments to each class or student.

References
Discovery Communications, LLC. (2010). Discovery Education. Retrieved August 7, 2010, from http://search.discoveryeducation.com/

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Differentiating Instructional Elements. Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Managing the Differentiated Classrooms. Baltimore: Author.