EDLD 5364 Week 2

This week I have watched videos about the different ways students learn. I believe it is correct that every student learns differently and that we need to have alternative methods of teaching them (LessonBuilder.Cast.Org, nd). I have been working with a lot of special needs children in the classroom where I am student teaching. I have to go out of my way to find different ways of helping them learn. I find that it really isn’t just special needs children who learn differently. Everyone has a different learning style. I believe that includes adults too. Some learn better from reading while others may learn from hands on projects. I have seen that UDL is a way of using technology to help all students including special needs students regardless of background (LessonBuilder.Cast.Org, Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning, nd). I have read that technology has yet to prove itself in a classroom setting. Even though it hasn’t proven itself and some think it is a waste of money it has become a mainstay in the classroom (Page, 2002). According to one study there was a significant difference in self-esteem in classrooms which have technology in them (Page, 2002). To me that alone is a good reason to have technology in the classroom. I know that many people do not think that students should be using technology. Many people think that children use way too much technology already. The thing is I believe that you can use technology in a good way. That does not mean a child should be playing games all day. However, they should learn how to use computer programs since they will more than likely be using them as adults. I do not think that there will ever be a time that everyone agrees on rather we should use technology in the classroom or not. However, I believe that in the end the technology will be in the classroom.
References
LessonBuilder.Cast.Org. (nd). Diversity of Learners. Retrieved March 10, 2012 from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos
LessonBuilder.Cast.Org. (nd). Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved March 10, 2012 from: http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos
Page, M. (2002). Technology-Enriched Classrooms: Effects on Students of Low Socioeconomic Status. Journal of Research on Technology in Education , 34(4), 389-409. Retrieved March 10, 2012 from https://lamar.epiclms.net/Learn/Player.aspx?enrollmentid=2480282