Week+3+Reflection

Planning for Student-Centered Learning with Technology.
This week's readings discussed planning for student-centered learning with technology. The readings were filled with so much information to the point of being overwhelming. But there were several reoccurring themes that I found to be important when planning for a student-centered lessons.

First, you need to select your objective/s. According to Pitler, one of the four core questions you should ask yourself in the planning process is, "What will the students learn?" and the first step in UDL is to establish your goals. This should be the starting point in all planning. The next step is to ensure that the planning is student centered. This involves recognizing that all individuals learned differently and require numerous and varied methods and materials to be successful. In Web 2.0, New Tools, New Schools, we find multiple suggestions on how we can use technology to help us differentiate our lessons to meet all students needs.

Students also need ongoing feedback as Pitler suggests, which ties in with UDL's references on the importance of affective learning. Without student buy-in, there is no real, authentic learning and feedback helps to keep students motivated. Student also need varied types of opportunities for expression and demonstrating what they know. Being flexible with methods, goals, material, and assessments will help with addressing the learning needs of different learners as well as for making adjustments for them as they change over time.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). //Using technology with classroom instruction that works//. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Please review the

Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). //Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning//. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Available online at the Center for Applied Special Technology web site, http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.