Planning with Technology

After watching the in-class presentation, Planning with Technology, I was struck by one slide in particular, "Eyes." The bullet points in the slide included:

Driven by understanding of student

• Adjust vision of what is possible

• Revise understanding of student capability and engagement with learning

• Use new possibilities to refine or create new goals and objectives

I think the reason that this slide spoke to me was because it emphasized viewing your students and the available technology through fresh eyes. A mentoring teacher told me last year, "Students with disabilities are limited by the imaginations of their teachers, don't be their limiting factor." I think that the keys to being a good special education teacher are having having high expectations for all students, using all of your creative resources to ensure your students' learning, and keeping constantly updated on new technologies, new educational methods, and new ideas to help your student. 

The one concept that I have been exposed to at TC which has had the greatest impact on me as a teacher is Universal Design for Learning, and using technology to make UDL a reality in my classroom. I think it is important to see your students and  rather than thinking "this is what they can't do," but rather to view them through UDL eyes and think, "this is what they can do, and this is what I can do as their  teacher to enable them to reach their fullest potential through my creativity, knowledge, and utilization of technology and resources." 

On this same note, I was also struck by the slide titled "Flexibility." This slide states that a UDL lesson should focus on:

• Interactivity (gateways & feedback---access to choice)

• Recreate activities (modify them to meet student needs) 

• You are limited by your own imagination & innovation 

• Try a technology adaptation and explore it, not just to solve a problem, but to explore possibilities and opportunities that are off your radar screen...

I think the main message of this slide is to view teaching as a fluid, flexible process where you are constantly adjusting your lessons based upon the feedback you receive from  interactions with your students. I think it also emphasizes creativity and exploration of new technological possibilities, and I think this creativity is what makes a true UDL classroom possible.