TeachwithTech_Week3

EDLD 5364: Teaching with Technology **
 * Jennifer Coleman

**Week 3 Posting:**

The focus of this week's discussion centered around the Unversial Design for Learning (UDL) and how it can be applied to effectively differentiate instruction in any content area. According to //Teaching Every Student in the Digtal Age: Universal Design for Learning, Chapter 6// ([]), UDL it follows four principles including (1) Providing multiple examples; (2) Highlighting critical features; (3) Providing multiple media and formats; (4) Supporting background knowledge, teachers can accomodate the learning styles of every student. UDL focuses on student-centered learning by "individualizing techniques so that each learner finds suitable presentations and supports." In addition, as teachers follow UDL, according to //Using Technology With Classroom Instruction That Works,// they must also keep in mind the four planning questions for instruction including (1) What will students learn?; (2) Which strtegies will provide evidence of student learning?; (3) Which strategies will help student acquire and integrate learning?; (4) Which stratgies will help student practice, review and apply learning? (p. 217).

With digital tools becoming more ubiquitous, teachers will be able to utilize Web 2.0 resources to enable students "learn, explore, and present their knowledge." Sites such as the //CAST UDL Book Builder// ([]) can be used to provide teachers and students with powerful resources that include text-to-speech and translation to other languages. Sites such as this provide students with the opportunity to explore, create, and share their knowledge on a global scale.