EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology Week 2

After reviewing the videos and readings this week I began to think about the impact of technology on each student and how to differientiate in the classroom in order to effectively meet the needs of all students. Our project in this course relates to the same thing. In a diversified classroom, a teacher needs to use all available resources for success. Technology is one of the best tools to address those needs.  According to the CAST website, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) states that technology is used to include all learners regardless of their ability. The Principles of UDL give multilple means of representation, expression, and engagement. With this in mind, all students have the potential to learn when material is presented to them in a variety of ways and at their level. Brain research also plays an important role in the use of technology. Recogntion is the "what" of learning, strategic is the "how", and affective is the "why". Understanding all of these things and how they work together will provide a foundation that should help all students improve and succeed in reaching individual goals.

After reading the research from the Milken Exchange on Technology, there are positive and negative points regarding the use of technology. Most of the reasearch showed positive gains in performance. I realize that technology is not a one size fits all kind of resource. I think the most positive factor in student success and learning is the impact of the teacher on that student. When technology is viewed by the teacher as a positive and affective tool then the students perceive that as well.

Technology is a wonderful resource and is required for students to use and understand in order to be successful in today's workforce.

Schacter, J. (1999). The impact of education technology on student achievement: What the most current research has to say. Santa Monica, CA: Milken Exchange on Education Technology. Retrieved on October 5, 2009 from http://www.mff.org/pubs/ME161.pdf.

Lessonbuilder.cast.org (nd). Diversity of Learners, Retrieved on Oct. 5, 2009 from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos