{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"76852215","dateCreated":"1452272809","smartDate":"Jan 8, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"eranieri","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/eranieri","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1343312115\/eranieri-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/eric-udl-4.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/76852215"},"dateDigested":1532173760,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Reflection #1","description":"At the core of UDL is the premise that often the curriculum is disabled (and disabling!). It is not flexible; it often poses barriers, and consequently prevents rather than supports optimal learning experiences. Do you agree or disagree with this view? Why or why not?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"86750825","body":"I agree. Especially teaching math, the curriculum time line and content is pretty full. On top of that, we need to have a certain number of "common assessments" between classes. So, much of the department time revolves around keeping pace with other classes and designing tests that cover the content for all classes in that subject.","dateCreated":"1452358671","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"jconnelly9","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jconnelly9","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86750829","body":"I absolutely agree with this view. Our district is extremely strict with following our curriculum. We are required to not only follow the exact curriculum but we are also expected to stay on a specific pacing guide. This does not allow much or any freedom to become flexible with the curriculum. It does not allow me to reach ALL of my students as much as I would like to. I think that if teachers were given more freedom, we could create more optimal learning experiences for our students.","dateCreated":"1452358694","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"(guest)","url":"","imageUrl":"\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86750839","body":"I do agree, We are limited to how much we can stretch learning as we are driven my state assessments. As a school that is trying to go in the directions of more technology, the teachers are becoming more stressed to "fit" it all in prior to the Keystones and trying to add that extra component of technology. These barriers ultimately hurt the children and forces them to only learn what is needed rather than really allowing them to explore the content more in-depth.","dateCreated":"1452358779","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"(guest)","url":"","imageUrl":"\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86750841","body":"I do agree, We are limited to how much we can stretch learning as we are driven my state assessments. As a school that is trying to go in the directions of more technology, the teachers are becoming more stressed to "fit" it all in prior to the Keystones and trying to add that extra component of technology. These barriers ultimately hurt the children and forces them to only learn what is needed rather than really allowing them to explore the content more in-depth.","dateCreated":"1452358784","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"(guest)","url":"","imageUrl":"\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86750843","body":"I think this is true to a certain degree. As teachers, we are responsible for meeting high demands of the curriculum and standardized assessments. However, I do believe we can be creative and flexible in order to break down the barriers that this creates. We can support optimal learning experiences for each student while still meeting the standards students are assessed on. It forces us to think outside of the box. In doing so, we can provide opportunities for all students to demonstrate their learning in unique ways.","dateCreated":"1452358792","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"Kbnolan12","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Kbnolan12","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86750851","body":"I think that the curriculum can definitely be disabling due to the rigid nature. We are forced to teach certain skills by a set date, to be successful for the test. In dong that, we are forcing this overload of information on students for the product (the test) which often times takes away from the process of learning. I also think the curriculum now a days doesn't include every thing that will make the students successful in life, not strictly just test wise. Teachers are then at a place where we are forced to add to the curriculum, with possible fear of repercussions.","dateCreated":"1452358810","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"lalullo","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lalullo","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86750859","body":"I definitely agree with this view. I think we are tied so tightly to district and state-mandated tests that there is not much room left for flexibility or creativity. We are asked to teach specific content in specific ways in a specific amount of time that there isn't much room or time left for creating optimal learning experiences that may better support students who are considered "in the margins." Last night I gave the specific example of math strategies for addition and subtraction that we have to teach and that the district tests the students on, but the "traditional" methods are never taught or practiced. Therefore students are asked to do ridiculous strategies and do not have the basic facts memorized.","dateCreated":"1452358853","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"lisamoyer128","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lisamoyer128","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86750897","body":"I agree with this point of view. As long as teachers\/ school districts are limited on their curriculum and funding we have a problem that will not be resolved. The students that are 'in the margins' will not have the opportunities to be successful. When education can shift from learning the content to a mastery of learning there will be more success.","dateCreated":"1452359297","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"ladailey","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ladailey","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"76852209","dateCreated":"1452272774","smartDate":"Jan 8, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"eranieri","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/eranieri","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1343312115\/eranieri-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/eric-udl-4.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/76852209"},"dateDigested":1532173760,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Reflection #2","description":"What are the benefits of analyzing the curriculum for strengths and weaknesses rather than focusing on the student\u2019s strengths and weaknesses? What are the challenges of this approach?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"86752773","body":"It is beneficial to analyze the curriculum for strengths and weaknesses because it will help us create a more universally designed classroom, versus differentiating solely for individual students. All students must meet the goals of the curriculum, therefore it is beneficial to review and make the curriculum more flexible for all when planning ahead of time. This approach can be challenging because of time and resources that may not be available. There will always be barriers that stand as obstacles, however the more we can eliminate, the better students will be able to show academic\/ social progress.","dateCreated":"1452372809","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"Kbnolan12","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Kbnolan12","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86752777","body":"A benefit of analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum is that the instructor can pick and choose the beneficial aspects of each lesson. Sometimes there are aspects of the curriculum that are redundant or irrelevant. Taking a closer look at the actual curriculum gives the instructor the opportunity to pick and choose what he or she wants to teach. A challenge to this approach is that some districts require teachers to follow the curriculum exactly. This does not give you any freedom or the option to pick and choose which parts are more important.","dateCreated":"1452372811","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"(guest)","url":"","imageUrl":"\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86752783","body":"You would see how the curriculum is outlined, the different approaches (if they exisit) the curriculum offers to teach the content, and you would get more knowleagable in the curriclum plan from year to year. However, each year you have students with different educational needs in your classroom. I think that it is more important to consider the ways they learn best over what the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum are. You won't meet the students needs if you are focusing on only the curriculum content.","dateCreated":"1452372833","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"lisamoyer128","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lisamoyer128","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86752787","body":"If we can identify strengths and weaknesses in the curriculum ahead of time, we can plan to build flexibility around the curriculum barriers. By offering as many avenues as possible to circumvent trouble, we offer the students options that can act as scaffolds or supports and help them to reach the intended goals in the manner that suits them best individually. Still, by recognizing strengths in the curriculum ahead of time, we can begin to design lessons that offer avenues of deeper investigation and understanding.","dateCreated":"1452372896","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"jconnelly9","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jconnelly9","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86752797","body":"When we focus on the curriculum's strengths and weaknesses as opposed to the students, we can find a way to meet the needs of all students. In meeting all the needs of the students, the accountability shifts to where it needs to be most. In my opinion, if there is one student who isn't getting something that they need (either not enough rigor or too much rigor), there is probably another one or two as well. Therefore, if we look at the curriculum verses the students, we have a better chance for success. This becomes challenging due to high stakes testing and other administrative duties. Also, the cost of buying new curricula that would meet more needs, holds us back as well.","dateCreated":"1452372913","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"lalullo","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lalullo","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86752801","body":"The benefits of analyzing the curriculum for strengths and weaknesses allows the teacher to see what areas they can approve upon to maximize student learning and student engagement. It also allows you to readjust your curriculum to fit the variety of needs of the ever changing student. The challenges of this approach are that you don't know what type of learners you may have in your class, thus making it hard to make those adjustments.","dateCreated":"1452372961","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"(guest)","url":"","imageUrl":"\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86752805","body":"Analyzing the curriculum will give you the opportunity to create, modify and adjust the lessons before they are presented to provide opportunities for all learners to be successful. You would be able to increase your knowledge of the different approaches that can be taken along with choosing the most important topics to cover. The challenges include the time that it will take to go through this process and the possibility of limited resources.","dateCreated":"1452373013","smartDate":"Jan 9, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"ladailey","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ladailey","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"76852207","dateCreated":"1452272746","smartDate":"Jan 8, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"eranieri","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/eranieri","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1343312115\/eranieri-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/eric-udl-4.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/76852207"},"dateDigested":1532173761,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Reflection #3","description":"How can using a variety of materials and methods reach more of the learners within your classroom? What are the benefits of doing so? What are the challenges?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"86759185","body":"Using a variety of materials and methods helps to reach all types of learners. For example, If I am teaching phonics to my students, there are many different tools that I can use to teach the same thing. I know that some of my students learn better through movement. For these students I could get a beach ball, write letters on the beach ball, and have the students toss the ball around. Whichever letter their thumb lands on, they have to identify the letter. For my students who learn better through visuals, I can use picture cards that connect a picture to the letter. For example, Bb is for Bear (and there would be a picture of a bear). Some of my students learn better through technology and videos. For these students, I like to show youtube videos that sing songs about the letters in the alphabet or my students enjoy going on Starfall.com. Starfall is a website that teaches students about the letters and beginning sounds. I know that my students benefit from using these different materials and materials because it helps them to make connections to the content. It is challenging to manage all materials and methods. I like to split my class into small groups and have them rotate through the different activities. It can be difficult for one teacher to continuously support each group at the same time.","dateCreated":"1452442548","smartDate":"Jan 10, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"Galgon1","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Galgon1","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86759365","body":"By using a variety of materials and methods more learners are reached, for all students learn differently, the benefits are not only reaching more students, but it also gives the student the opportunity to obtain instruction through a variety of materials and methods. By using a variety of material, we can reduce the barriers in the learning process because we can serve all learning styles. The material that I use in my classroom is material that is relevant and important to my students, so they are engaged in my lessons. In order for that to happen, I get involved in my students interests. The barriers\/ challenges is time to create the material that suits all my student\u2019s needs. I am also limited\/ blocked to some items on the internet, this issue limits the implementation of the UDL\u2019s in today\u2019s classroom.","dateCreated":"1452443645","smartDate":"Jan 10, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"(guest)","url":"","imageUrl":"\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86759385","body":"By using a variety of materials and methods, I can more successfully reach more learners within my classroom. Each child learns and is engaged in different ways. By using different materials such as manipulatives, videos, audio lessons, visuals, books, etc., my hope would be that every single one of my students is able to comprehend the new material and make an engaging connection to the content. Since my students are so young, they need support to be able to make connections between past and present learning and across subject areas. By using many different materials and methods, I can assist in building those connections and reach students in the margins. The challenge of using a variety of materials and methods is finding the time to plan for and implement them.","dateCreated":"1452443756","smartDate":"Jan 10, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"lisamoyer128","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lisamoyer128","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86759407","body":"In the past, when I had a classroom I was able to include a variety of materials in my lessons. I also have the advantage of working for the IU that provides us with the resources and materials needed to meet the needs of children with educational and developmental challenges. When my special needs students were included in the regular education classroom other students would be able to help which also built social skills. Benefits include having the time to trial various materials to see what works best for a child. I have been amazed at the number of voice output systems and switches that are available. The challenges include the short trial period, 6-8 weeks, and determining what would be best for a child that is 3-5 years old. Another challenge is getting pre-k teachers, who have very limited budgets to buy into the UDL theory.","dateCreated":"1452443896","smartDate":"Jan 10, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"ladailey","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/ladailey","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86759417","body":"Using a variety of materials and methods in the classroom helps to reach the diverse needs of our students. By knowing my students, I am able to plan lessons more effectively by choosing materials and methods that would engage my students to meet the end goal I have set for them. I enjoy having my students rotate through centers to help them explore the content in a variety of modalities. For example, when teaching a Science Unit on the Water Cycle, some groups can be making flashcards of the processes water goes through, others are drawing a diagram, another group is practicing the Water Cycle song, others are reading a short passage and highlighting key details, and the last group is watching a video of the water cycle on their Chromebooks. This provides students with different learning styles and interests to be exposed to the curriculum in a variety of ways. Another benefit of doing this is that I can also spend more one-on-one time assisting students who may be struggling with a concept. A possible challenge of using a variety of materials and methods in the classroom is the time it takes to plan and manage everything that is going on. Procedures need to be set in place and students need to be held accountable in each learning station.","dateCreated":"1452443988","smartDate":"Jan 10, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"Kbnolan12","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Kbnolan12","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86759425","body":"Using a variety of materials and methods can reach more learners within your class room because it allows for multiple avenues for students to learn. No two students learn the same, and as we've said there is no "one size fits all" mentality. Therefore, we have to allow the students access to different materials and ways of learning so that we can hit on their learning style for success. Due to multiple intelligences, students learn different based on their learning style and preference. We as teachers have to be sure to have a variety of ways to hopefully strike each of those learning styles. The benefits of doing this are limitless. We will have most of, if not all students involved and activity engaged. They will take ownership for their learning and hopefully get that intrinsic motivation that we strive for. The biggest challenge is the amount of time or money sometimes that needs to be spent on our behalf to make it happen. For example; rotations or learning centers are a great way of hitting multiple learners. However, sometimes it is hard for teachers to have the time and resources to prepare them.","dateCreated":"1452444036","smartDate":"Jan 10, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"lalullo","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lalullo","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"86759453","body":"Each student varies in terms of motivation, preferred learning style, and ability. Therefore, presenting the material in a variety of ways offers a greater likelihood that we will reach every student. We can use different methods to engage student interests, to deliver instruction and to assess student understanding. Many times, a video or song or the proper question can provide a hook. We can vary these things between lessons or even ask the right question through a song or video. I liked the section of the text where the music instructor offered visual supports in order to engage and deliver instruction to the kids that are not necessarily musically inclined. The nice thing is that the visual is also available to those that are musically inclined. this way, the support that helps struggling students can also act as a support to enhance the understandings of advanced students.
\nThe challenges to providing these multiple means is that it takes time and energy to construct the support. But, once the support is visualized and created, it can be used over and over.","dateCreated":"1452444263","smartDate":"Jan 10, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"jconnelly9","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jconnelly9","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"76852205","dateCreated":"1452272718","smartDate":"Jan 8, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"eranieri","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/eranieri","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1343312115\/eranieri-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/eric-udl-4.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/76852205"},"dateDigested":1532173762,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Reflection #4","description":"What barriers are inherent in traditional assessments? What are the challenges in offering varied options for assessment?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"76852203","dateCreated":"1452272688","smartDate":"Jan 8, 2016","userCreated":{"username":"eranieri","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/eranieri","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1343312115\/eranieri-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/eric-udl-4.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/76852203"},"dateDigested":1532173762,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Reflection #5","description":"Given the realities of our modern age and the demands of our children\u2019s future, is it really okay to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}