Gina+C

My name is Gina Corradino. I have been married for eight years to my husband, Joey, and we have two beautiful children together. Our son’s name is Hayden, and he is four years old. He is very easy going and energetic. Our daughter’s name is Lily, and she is two years old. She is a very tiny girl with a big personality. Besides caring for my children, my favorite pastime is running. My husband got me started running about six years ago, and I have been running ever since. I try to run at least ten miles a week, and I prefer to wake up early and go before I start my day. Throughout my running years I have completed many 5k’s and a 10k. The best days are when I get to run and spend the entire day with my family.

I graduated from Caldwell College with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Social Studies. I hold a P-3 and a K-8 certification. After two years of teaching preschool, I went back to school for a Post-Bachelorette degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I now have been teaching self-contained Kindergarten for seven years. My class is considered a Special Education Learning Language Disability class. I currently have thirteen children in my classroom with one paraprofessional to assist me. The students’ disabilities are categorized as communication impaired, and I have one student who is emotionally disturbed. However, over the years I have also had children with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This is a challenging job, but I enjoy coming to work to see my class learn and grow every day.

== 5 new technologies to try  == ~edmodo, twiddla, delicious, schoolology, wallwisher

~tagzedo,wetpaint,wix, livebinder, kid blog

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4 ideas to share with others (either that you've learned here or you've learned elsewhere) ===== ~moodle, websites:starfall, brain pop jr., united streaming

~google sites, pb wiki, edmodo, pay attention powerpoint

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3 principles of Universal Design for Learning ===== ~representation, expression, engaging

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2 changes in your teaching to reach all learners in the Digital Age ===== ~flexibility, patience

~make more time, versatile

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1 BIG idea to implement on Monday ===== ~add a section to my classroom website where my parents can contact one another using edmodo or schoolology

~share selection attention test with colleagues

~webquest

** __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? //

// I think the Language Arts Curriculum can be // //flexible. As a special educator we are expected to use the same materials as the general education teachers. Many times a curriculum does not offer many options to use with my students. However, my district adopted a new Language Arts Curriculum a couple of years age. This curriculum offers different ways to teach to the advanced learner, on level learner, as well as the below level learner. I find this tool very helpful in my classroom. For example, when I am doing guided reading in my classroom I can pull different materials for different groups. I find this beneficial for me as well as for the students. Furthermore, the materials are on the computer and I can put it on the smart board, there are flip charts, which can be used in a small group setting, as well as hard copies for individual use for the// //students.//

//Reflection #2// //What are the benefits of// //analyzing the curriculum for strengths and weaknesses rather than focusing on the students strengths and weaknesses? What are the challenges of the approach?//

As a teacher I find that I already know some major components that a curriculum should offer before teaching or knowing my students. If I know the curriculum before my students than i could know what I would want to supplement or add to a a section of it before I teach it. For example, I think differentiated instruction is an important component of teaching regardless of knowing my students prior. This is a component that I would want to see in a curriculum. If a curriculm did not offer this component, but I knew the curriculum I would know when and what I needed to do to help my students succeed when I came to teaching that section in my classroom. However, the challenge is that it is easier to teach by knowing your students first and then teaching. This is a challenge or process that teacher's face in the beginning of the year as it takes time to get to know your students.

Reflection #3 How can using a variety of materials and methods reach more learners within your classroom? What are the benefits of doing so? What are the challenges?

I believe that every student learns differently. For example, some students learn by listening, others learn by doing, and some need to observe. All of these factors play into teaching. It is a teacher's job to reach all students in a variety of ways. As a teacher I need to figure how each of my students learn and teach them the way they learn best in order for them to succeed. By using different methods I am trying to reach all of my students and teach them the best way possible. Moreover, the benefits of using different methods and materials is that I am reaching all of my students and giving them the best opportunity to learn in my class. I am providing everyone with an equal opportunity to succeed because I am teaching them the way they like to learn. However, the challenges include time restraint. Teaching a variety of ways is very time consuming and many times we don't have the time we would like as teachers to complete lessons. Not only is there not enough time in a school year or day to teach a variety of ways, but also it is time consuming in regards to planning. Using a variety of materials and methods takes a lot of preparation and planning for teachers. Therefore, it would be best to use a variety of materials and methods, but it can be challenging for the teacher.

Reflection 4 What barriers are inherent in traditional assessments? What are the challenges in offering varied options for assessment?

Traditional assessments may not be up date to with the new styles of learning. In this new generation UDL an differentiated instruction are used often in teaching in order for students to succeed in learning. As we are creating new types of teaching methods, we should be creating new types of assessments. For instance, many traditional assessments include true/false questions or multiple choice questions. These traditional assessments do not coincide with the new teaching methods and thus is unfair for students to be assessed in the traditional way. However, there are challenges in offering varied assessments. It is very time consuming for the teacher and many may see it as unfair if students are receiving different ways of being assessed.

__** 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? //

Today's students are exposed to many new technologies than students from the past. Technology is more available to students at a younger age and it is more accessible for them to use. Since they are prone to using technology at such a young age they are eager to learn using technology. I think teachers need to adapt to these current times and use modern technologies because this is becoming the norm of how students grow up and learn. They are use to using technology at such a young age that they become accustomed to using it. Therefore, teachers need to try to teach to the students based on how they learn best, which is the fundamentals of UDL. It's about teaching students the best way possible and finding out the way they learn best. If students find it easier to learn better with technology then teachers should be implementing it into their teaching methods. Furthermore, I don't think teachers should being teaching with technology if they are unfamiliar with it. Teachers should use technology in their classroom after they have mastered using it themselves. Moreover, as I believe teachers should be implementing technology into their instruction, it shouldn't be their only means or way of teaching.

Reflection 6 It was a great class!

Culminating Activity #3

These net genners are the students who need to use hands on activities to succeed in learning. They also learn better when technological devices, such as an IPad or Smart Board is used to teach them. Furthermore, net genners are very visual learners who work better when they are doing instead of watching.

4 people in professional world to share this with: 1. my principal 2. district administration 3. colleagues 4. board of education

1 person from my personal world to share this with: 1. my husband, who is also a teacher