Chapter 12 outlines a number of websites that you can use while representing information to students or allowing them to express their knowledge to you. Either way, student engagement always seems to heighten when technology is introduced into the learning environment.
Always remember that leveraging technology is a great way to connect with students. Create a Twitter, start a blog, or design a class web site. Doing so provides additional options to reach students and provide instruction 24/7. Isn't that a scary thought?
Most importantly, technology provides endless opportunities for you to connect with like-minded educators across the world. Whether or not you worked with a PLC while reading this book, you need to know that endless PLCs await you on sites like the Teaching Channel and Twitter. The picture on the left was taken at ECET2, a conference in Snowbird, Utah that celebrates leaders in American education. I was lucky enough to present with three renowned educators, (from L to R) Josh Underwood, Chris Crouch, and Brent Balkaran. Technology allows us to stay in touch, share resources, and support each other in our practice. Grow your own PLC, both in person and virtually, and watch your practice grow and your student learning increase.
Optional Activities
Choose one of the following activities for a final reflection.
- Write about your thoughts regarding UDL. Think back to where you were when you started. How has your education philosophy and classroom practice changed?
- Create a series of 5 comics that make light of the struggle of getting all students to learn and how UDL is the answer.
- What does UDL mean to you? Write your response with words, pictures, or a combination of both methods.
- Create a multimedia presentation, using a fabulous new technology, to present your thoughts about UDL.
