Introduction
- Hello, my name is Kayla Fotheringham. I teach a Kindergarten-2nd grade special day class in Sunnyvale. I am lucky to have access to a lot of technology in my district. This course has helped me explore which resources will be the most beneficial for my class. It has also helped me realize more applications for technology I am already using.
Class Websites
- Before taking this course, I hosted my class website on Weebly. For the website assignment I created a similar class website on Google Sites. I enjoyed creating a website on a different platform and comparing them. At the time, I found it easier to build the website with Weebly. I was more used to it and I liked the easy drag and drop configuration. It was also easier to add and rename pages. Now, however, I find I use the Google Sites website more. My district relies a lot on Google Apps, so it is really convenient to have my website on Sites.
- There are a lot of benefits to having a complete, updated class website. My parents receive so much information the first week of school, it is nice to have a place for them to look for information about policies and procedures whenever a question arises. I can also share resources for them to use at home. Families like that our classroom calendar is connected so they know when events are coming up.
Assistive Technology
- I learned about assistive technology from this course. As a special education teacher, I found this topic really important and engaging. The Assistive Technology Continuum from week 5 gave me a lot of ideas to use in my classroom. Before, when I thought about assistive technology I would picture medium or high-tech tools. I had some low-tech supports in my classroom, but I was not thinking about them as assistive technology. I used the AT Continuum to brainstorm more resources to implement with my students.
- I believe the most important resource I gained from this course is the SETT Framework. Using SETT has changed the way I think about assistive technology. It will help me write better IEPs and provide more resources for my students. I like the way the framework is organized. It is student-centered and focuses on helping students be as independent as possible. I have already used it to help some of my students.
- I have shared the Parents Helping Parents website with my families. One mother has scheduled an hour of "techsploration" at their iTech Center. I am excited to hear about her experience and the technologies she gets to try.
Universal Design for Learning
- I have used Universal Design for Learning to invigorate my lesson plans. Before this course, I tried to make my lessons interesting, but I was unsure how best to do that. Now, I look at representation, engagement, and expression to ensure the lesson is applicable to everyone. My students all have different strengths, and they have been much more engaged since I have designed more UDL lessons. I incorporate more active and hands-on activities in my lessons. Most importantly, I now give my students options on how to demonstrate their knowledge. It has really helped my students focus on the content, instead of writing, spelling, or other extraneous roadblocks.
Conclusion
- Overall, I have learned how to use technology more meaningfully to deepen my students’ learning. I have integrated Universal Design for Learning into my lesson plans, which increases student engagement, comprehension, and confidence. The SETT Framework is helping me find more ways to integrate assistive technology to support my students’ independence. I enjoyed this course, and it has helped make me a better educator.
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