IngaN

Hi, My name is Inga Grossman Nelson. I am a Business Education Teacher at NV High School Demarest. I have been working in Demarest for 9 years. Here is a link to our school website. http://dmhs.nvnet.org/ Here is a picture of me and my family.

5 new technologies to try
 * Haiku Learning Management System
 * Diigo for bookmarking
 * Random Group Generator - Smart Technologies
 * Readability app to clean up web articles
 * Described and captioned media program - many good subject related videos

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4 ideas to share with others (either that you've learned here or you've learned elsewhere) =====
 * 1) As a summing up a lesson, students write a word on a piece of paper to summarize the lesson.
 * 2) Use polster to check understanding of a topic.

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3 principles of Universal Design for Learning =====
 * 1) Multiple means of Representation - gaining information
 * 2) Multiple means of Action & Expression
 * 3) Multiple means of Engagement

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2 changes in your teaching to reach all learners in the Digital Age =====
 * 1) I have students write news analyses on articles from the NY Times. I will give students an option of gathering business information from a news network as well as from the written newspaper when preparing a news analysis.
 * 2) I have given students options for doing standard tests or creating a product such as a pamphlet or newsletter to demonstrate mastery.

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1 BIG idea to implement on Monday =====
 * 1) Write one word to describe what you learned today.

** __Reflection #1__ ** // At the core of UDL is the premise that often the curriculum is disabled (and disabling!). It is not flexible; it often poses barriers, and consequently prevents rather than supports optimal learning experiences. Do you agree or disagree with this view? Why or why not? //

The curriculum for my subject I think is very relevant to what students need to know now and what they should begin to understand for their adult lives. It can be disabling because they may not be at a point in their lives where they are motivated to learn this information. They may not see the need to know this information. The flexibility is provided by the teacher in creating experiences for the students to interactive with the material in ways that are motivating and challenging.

__** Reflection #2 **__

// What are the benefits of analyzing the curriculum for strengths and weaknesses rather than focusing on the student’s strengths and weaknesses? What are the challenges of this approach? // Anticipation of what may be a weakness will help a teacher to adjust the curriculum prior to teaching. Looking for strengths can inform the teacher of what to do first. I think this can cause drawbacks too though because a strength or weakness for one student may not be the same for another student. So adjusting the curriculum prior to teaching can cause just as many problems as the original curriculum.

__** Reflection #3 **__

// How can using a variety of materials and methods reach more of the learners within your classroom? What are the benefits of doing so? What are the challenges? // Having a variety of materials and methods motivates students and helps to reach students in variety of ways.

** __Reflection #4__ **

// What barriers are inherent in traditional assessments? What are the challenges in offering varied options for assessment? //

Traditional assessments are designed to assess recognition and memorization of information. The traditional type of assessments that I am imagining are not necessarily concerned with application of knowledge or creation of something using the newly acquired information. I have primarily used traditional assessments to avoid conflicts about grading. Traditional assessments that use multiple choice, true/false, matching are clearly right/wrong so avoid arguments. I have given students the option to create a pamphlet or brochure using knowledge gained from lessons. Of course classwork projects can be used to assess learning but often these projects are assigned as group work. Group work is challenging to assess because invariably some members contribute more and others have to yield to group consensus.

5 new technologies to try 4 ideas to share with others (either that you’ve learned here or you’ve learned elsewhere)
 * 1) WIX website to make a website
 * 2) online binders to store and disseminate information
 * 3) youtube for educational videos and to present material in a different way
 * 4) Jing and other screen casting tool---screencast-o-matic
 * 1) "The Bottom Line is _" activity
 * 2) Create Avatars to present lesson material

3 principles of Universal Design for Learning
 * 1) presenting --pre-reading of accounting information,
 * 2) engaging-- using play money and poster boards to post transactions
 * 3) assessing - using Smart board to move transactions to appropriate spot on T-acocunts

2 changes in our teaching to reach all learners
 * 1) multiple means of representation such as written and verbal
 * 2) use avatar to explain lesson instructions

1 BIG idea to implement on Monday
 * 1) Glogster of everything that Business Students have learned this school year.

__** Reflection #5 **__

// Given the realities of our modern age and the demands of our children’s future, is it really okay to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction? //

Teachers are hired because a school district has trusted her/him to execute the appropriate curriculum. A teacher is charged with assessing students prior knowledge and using the best methods to deliver instruction. I believe that expert teachers will decide appropriately what methods will best help students to learn the material. I think that modern technologies should be used appropriately to enhance instruction. I don't believe that just using technology because we are in a digital age is going to be any better than using a poster board and markers effectively. In some ways technology can present a huge distraction and not allow students to just be open to their own thoughts. Sometimes less technology can allow students to explore their own thinking. Technology is all around and students are familiar with how to use it whether it is used in the classroom or not.

** __Reflection #6__ **

// Explain who these Net Genners are. // // The Net Genners are learners who have never known a world without cell phones and Internet access. These learners depend upon instant access to information. Information is carried in their pockets and they are not necessarily familiar with alternative ways to access information. Net Genners are comfortable trying new things and the tech language is how they speak. // // List 4 people in professional world and 1 in your personal world who you will share this with. // Alexis Goebel, Suzette Martin, Chuck Stevens, James Santana - Professional World Peter Savitsky - Personal World

Part 2 - Toolbox Time #3.


 * 1) Describe each UDL Principle and technology that you explored.
 * Obtaining knowledge (gather facts and make sense of knowledge) -Recognition Networks -
 * Readability app for cleaning up and saving article from the web, such as NY Times articles.
 * Expressing knowledge - Strategic Networks
 * Interacting with new material - Affective Networks
 * 1) How will this technology create "access" to the curriculum?