Reflection EDUC-6714I-7

After completing this course, I have learned so many beneficial things for my classroom. Before this, I had not been deeply studied the Universal Design for Learning as well as how to integrate technology into Differentiated Instruction. Through this course, I have learned about so many helpful resources to help me implement both UDL and DI in the classroom.

With the help of my classmates through our social network, I have learned about many useful websites to use as assessment tools to learn more about my students. Many of these tools are surveys to assess my students' interests, learning styles, learning needs, and readiness. In order to implement UDL and DI in the classroom, I must first know my students so that I can plan to teach them through their best means (which is what UDL and DI are all about). One of my favorite resources is the website surveymonkey.com. Using this website, I can create my own assessment that caters directly to my students. Once I properly know my students, I need to plan so that they can learn through their strengths. That is why I like the UDL lesson plan builder from the CAST website. This was also shared in our social networking site and it really helps the teacher plan lessons built around the UDL principles.

The aspect of this course that I will immediately use in the classroom is the UDL principle of allowing students to choose their methods of learning by providing choices to reach the same goal. I had never considered the benefits of allowing students the freedom of learning through their strengths and providing these methods in my own classroom until I took this course. I was use to having everyone use a common method and modifying that method for a small few. The UDL method says that those modifications or alternate ways of reaching the goal should be opened to every student and by allowing them to choose the best way for them will increase learning and engagement.

This class really opened my eyes to my own teaching. I have been doing my students a disservice by expecting them to learn through one common method. The students were not reaching their fool potential because many of them were not using their learning strengths learn new concepts and communicate their knowledge. Now that I feel more confident with DI and UDL. I plan on implementing them both in my classroom.

-Ashley

Resources:
Center for Applied Special Technology (2009). UDL Guidelines, version 1.0. Retrieved from www.udlcenter.org