This week there
were many extremely helpful videos and reading about the importance of having
differentiated learning activities that meet the specific learning needs of all
students inside the classroom. This
would even include students with disabilities, or students who are gifted and
talented. “In our 21st century schools, the mix of
students is more diverse than ever.” This
is why as teachers; we need to be able to respond to the student’s individual
learning differences. The one size fits
all learning style just doesn’t work anymore. It is virtually impossible to meet everyone student’s
learning needs if differentiation is not happening.
According to CAST, “The
Brain Research”, Neurological studies have shown that each person’s brain can
process things differently. The
recognition network of the brain helps with learning facts, strategic networks
help with planning, performing tasks, and organizing, and affective networks
focus on how engaged and interested the learners are. If you can utilize all 3 of
these networks in your lesson planning then, your instruction will have a
greater impact on learners with different learning styles. One way to implement these types of networks
is through the use of ULDs or Universal Learning Design. Universally designed learning is learning
designed to accommodate a variety of learners.
UDL uses technology to all students regardless of ability. Universally Designed Learning principles help
teachers differentiate learning experiences for all the students in their
classroom. ULD will offer many different
ways to teach students the same content information, as well as, different ways
for the learners to express what they have learned.
Technology integration can make this differentiation way of thinking a
lot easier. The literature
reports from, Technology-enriched
classrooms: Effects on students of low socioeconomic status. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, explain, “technology-enriched
classrooms were prone to produce more student-centered and individualized interactions,
and non-technological classrooms consisted of the traditional model of teacher
centeredness” (Page, 2002). The students
of the 21st century require differentiated learning in the classroom
that includes meaningful technology components.
If we choose not to meet the needs of the students, then as teachers we
are not preparing them for the next chapter in their lives.
Lessonbuilder.cast.org (nd).
Diversity of Learners. Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos
Lessonbuilder.cast.org (nd).
Principles of Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos
Lessonbuilder.cast.org (nd).
The Brain Research. Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos
Lessonbuilder.cast.org.
(nd). Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved from
http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos
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