HeatMy Name is Kelsey O'Gorman. I am a Physical Education/Health/Drivers Education teacher at Princeton High School. I am going on my third year teaching at Princeton. I graduated from TCNJ with a major in Health and Exercise Science. I am currently getting my masters through RTC.I spend most of my free time coaching. I am the head girls coach and JV field hockey coach at PHS.
1.ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL 2.UDL SYMBOL-Rubber band- Goal is for stretching to take place-Dont over stretch 3.MI-GARDNERMultiple Intelligence's - not one way to learn
2 changes in your teaching to reach all learners in the Digital Age-
1." No two people are identical"-You must be willing to get disturbed to be able to reach out and involve the digital natives.
2. Explore new options,So your students can intern explore and expand their mind and way of thinking and learning
1 BIG idea to implement on Monday-
Create a Schoology Site. This will be useful to post worksheets on for my students to access and interact. Start small, do not get overwhlemed. Take a deep breathe.
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 agree. The curriculum can pin you down at times. I know from my personal experiences as a student that it does not promote optimal learning for all. I was the type of student that was able to grasp lessons that were far from the cut and dry memorization ways. I excelled when my teachers were flexible and developed out of the box lesson plans. I am lucky enough that now as a teacher I am at a district that allows me to explore and be flexible in my classroom/gymnasium. I do not have a state test that I need to teach too...yet. I do often feel restricted by the curriculum, however another area of restriction is stemming from certain coworkers in my department. They tend to hold me back from the introduction of new strategies and activities. I want to continue to do my best to not let the curriculum hinder the learning experiences for my students at PHS.
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? If you minimize the weaknesses in the curriculum you will ultimately be focusing on helping the students strengths and weaknesses. I think that it is more important to focus on improving the students individual strengths and weaknesses. Spending time working with the students is time well spent. Analyzing the currciulum must be done out of school time during summer. When the school year starts one on one time with students is valuable and must not be spent dealing with curriculum. That is why TIME is a big challenge. Time will always be a challenge that teachers are faced with. It is a matter of prioritizing our time to impact each student. We can do this by working on improving each students strengths and minimzing their weakness.
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? I am a kinestetic learner. Unforutnantly I did not excel in a tradtional classroom enviorment. I know that if my students learned in the same enviornent that I did they would be faced with a barrier. If I can reach out and provide a variety of methods to assign an assigment my students will be more engaged and enthused in carrying out this assignment. My students will excel and intern get a better grade but on top of that will actually absorb the material and information that they are working with. Danielson model suggests for students to teach one another. And if students take ownership on the materials and methods that they create and enjoy to use they will be more willing to share with others in the classroom. This will be helpful for me as a teacher and other students in the classroom. It will create a type of give and take amoungst the students and teacher. This is challenging at first.. but with time it will become second nature.
Reflection #4
What barriers are inherent in traditional assessments? What are the challenges in offering varied options for assessment?
Traditional assessment, Paper and Pencil, this is not the way to assess all students at all times throughout the year. Students will feel like they have hit a barrier if they are not successful at this type of testing. These students will feel like failures. It is the students job to design the assessing and learning so that everyone is impacted. It it important to know what type of learners your students are so you can design a assessment for the particular preference of the student. Challenges for doing this time. It takes time to create the options. Instead of producing one 20 question test, you must put in more time to make up multiple different tools for students to use. It is our job as teachers to be up to the challenge to make these changes so our students to not become overwhelmed with their own challenges.
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? I think that it is okay to allow teachers to incorporate tech into their instruction. I hear stories from other teachers at other districts about different ipad programs that are being started up and are taking it overboard. They are forcing their teachers to use the ipad for almost the entire class with each student. It must be used in each lesson every day of the week. Don't get me wrong I am all for technology but this idea seems a bit overbearing. This is not an example of UDL because it is still not providing option it is jumping to the other side of the spectrum and forcing it down everyones throat. It is not starting small or leaving any room for option. I enjoy where I work because even though we are behind on using technology I can still have the freedom to incorporate it and make it work in a way where it helps my students learn and grow. I do think that teachers should pick and choose when they need to use technology for a lesson for themselves and students. After taking this course I can see how much is on the internet and how many resources we have to help make our job easier. It is important that ALL teachers incorporate at least some modern technologies into their classes.
Reflection #6
* FUN- It shows that if we as teachers implement this into our classrooms our students will have fun too. Time flies when you can use the computer and have the time to discover all the tools the internet has to offer. It is important to be positive - dont get negative or let negative coworkers get you down. I will continue to grow and implement UDL into my classroom. THANKS AGAIN FOR A FUNNNNNNNNN AND USEFUL 5 DAYS!
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Daily Reflection
5 new technologies to try
1. Triptico 2.Livebinder 3.Schooltube 4.Delicious
4 ideas to share with others (either that you've learned here or you've learned elsewhere)-
1.VOKI!
2.The PE Geek 3.Zunal-Webquest 4.Jing KhanAcademy
3 principles of Universal Design for Learning.
1. Are we really paying attention? Awareness Test- Are you losing site of a student in your class? 2.Even though there are challenges in incorporating technology into the classroom it is worth doing because it provides many opportunities. 3. The bottom line activity- UDL - Get students up and moving in stations in high school not just lower levels.
2 changes in your teaching to reach all learners in the Digital Age-
1.Use KhanAcadmey during my heart lessons- or assign for homework so my students have already gained some knowledge before class time (flipped classroom)
2.The students want to be engaged they have expertise in using technology now it is time for me to tap in and use it.
1 BIG idea to implement on Monday-
Research More on Don Tapscott! I enjoyed his short video clip it made me want to read his book.
**NET G.-
Good at multi tasking Want immediate feedback & answers connect with friends via technology Enjoy spending free time playing video games/surfing web Love visuals Short attention span
Lauren- college friend Lenny-Co worker Heather-Co worker
John-Supervisor
Jen/Erin- friends that are teachers from home.
HeatMy Name is Kelsey O'Gorman. I am a Physical Education/Health/Drivers Education teacher at Princeton High School. I am going on my third year teaching at Princeton. I graduated from TCNJ with a major in Health and Exercise Science. I am currently getting my masters through RTC.I spend most of my free time coaching. I am the head girls coach and JV field hockey coach at PHS.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Daily Reflection
5 new technologies to try
GlogsterWordle
Wikispaces
Delicious
Poll Everywhere
4 ideas to share with others (either that you've learned here or you've learned elsewhere)-
1.GREAT SITE TO USE- Poll Everywhere-http://www.polleverywhere.com/
2.GREAT SITE FOR WEB QUESTS- http://www.zunal.com3. Zunal-Webquest
4.Wix
3 principles of Universal Design for Learning....
Representation, Expression, and Engagement :)
1.ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL2.UDL SYMBOL-Rubber band- Goal is for stretching to take place-Dont over stretch
3.MI-GARDNERMultiple Intelligence's - not one way to learn
2 changes in your teaching to reach all learners in the Digital Age-
1." No two people are identical"-You must be willing to get disturbed to be able to reach out and involve the digital natives.
2. Explore new options,So your students can intern explore and expand their mind and way of thinking and learning
1 BIG idea to implement on Monday-
Create a Schoology Site. This will be useful to post worksheets on for my students to access and interact. Start small, do not get overwhlemed. Take a deep breathe.
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 agree. The curriculum can pin you down at times. I know from my personal experiences as a student that it does not promote optimal learning for all. I was the type of student that was able to grasp lessons that were far from the cut and dry memorization ways. I excelled when my teachers were flexible and developed out of the box lesson plans. I am lucky enough that now as a teacher I am at a district that allows me to explore and be flexible in my classroom/gymnasium. I do not have a state test that I need to teach too...yet. I do often feel restricted by the curriculum, however another area of restriction is stemming from certain coworkers in my department. They tend to hold me back from the introduction of new strategies and activities. I want to continue to do my best to not let the curriculum hinder the learning experiences for my students at PHS.
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?
If you minimize the weaknesses in the curriculum you will ultimately be focusing on helping the students strengths and weaknesses. I think that it is more important to focus on improving the students individual strengths and weaknesses. Spending time working with the students is time well spent. Analyzing the currciulum must be done out of school time during summer. When the school year starts one on one time with students is valuable and must not be spent dealing with curriculum. That is why TIME is a big challenge. Time will always be a challenge that teachers are faced with. It is a matter of prioritizing our time to impact each student. We can do this by working on improving each students strengths and minimzing their weakness.
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?
I am a kinestetic learner. Unforutnantly I did not excel in a tradtional classroom enviorment. I know that if my students learned in the same enviornent that I did they would be faced with a barrier. If I can reach out and provide a variety of methods to assign an assigment my students will be more engaged and enthused in carrying out this assignment. My students will excel and intern get a better grade but on top of that will actually absorb the material and information that they are working with. Danielson model suggests for students to teach one another. And if students take ownership on the materials and methods that they create and enjoy to use they will be more willing to share with others in the classroom. This will be helpful for me as a teacher and other students in the classroom. It will create a type of give and take amoungst the students and teacher. This is challenging at first.. but with time it will become second nature.
Reflection #4
What barriers are inherent in traditional assessments? What are the challenges in offering varied options for assessment?
Traditional assessment, Paper and Pencil, this is not the way to assess all students at all times throughout the year. Students will feel like they have hit a barrier if they are not successful at this type of testing. These students will feel like failures. It is the students job to design the assessing and learning so that everyone is impacted. It it important to know what type of learners your students are so you can design a assessment for the particular preference of the student. Challenges for doing this time. It takes time to create the options. Instead of producing one 20 question test, you must put in more time to make up multiple different tools for students to use. It is our job as teachers to be up to the challenge to make these changes so our students to not become overwhelmed with their own challenges.
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?
I think that it is okay to allow teachers to incorporate tech into their instruction. I hear stories from other teachers at other districts about different ipad programs that are being started up and are taking it overboard. They are forcing their teachers to use the ipad for almost the entire class with each student. It must be used in each lesson every day of the week. Don't get me wrong I am all for technology but this idea seems a bit overbearing. This is not an example of UDL because it is still not providing option it is jumping to the other side of the spectrum and forcing it down everyones throat. It is not starting small or leaving any room for option. I enjoy where I work because even though we are behind on using technology I can still have the freedom to incorporate it and make it work in a way where it helps my students learn and grow. I do think that teachers should pick and choose when they need to use technology for a lesson for themselves and students. After taking this course I can see how much is on the internet and how many resources we have to help make our job easier. It is important that ALL teachers incorporate at least some modern technologies into their classes.
Reflection #6
* FUN- It shows that if we as teachers implement this into our classrooms our students will have fun too. Time flies when you can use the computer and have the time to discover all the tools the internet has to offer. It is important to be positive - dont get negative or let negative coworkers get you down. I will continue to grow and implement UDL into my classroom. THANKS AGAIN FOR A FUNNNNNNNNN AND USEFUL 5 DAYS!
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Daily Reflection
5 new technologies to try
1. Triptico2.Livebinder
3.Schooltube
4.Delicious
4 ideas to share with others (either that you've learned here or you've learned elsewhere)-
1.VOKI!
2.The PE Geek3.Zunal-Webquest
4.Jing
KhanAcademy
3 principles of Universal Design for Learning.
1. Are we really paying attention? Awareness Test- Are you losing site of a student in your class?2.Even though there are challenges in incorporating technology into the classroom it is worth doing because it provides many opportunities.
3. The bottom line activity- UDL - Get students up and moving in stations in high school not just lower levels.
2 changes in your teaching to reach all learners in the Digital Age-
1.Use KhanAcadmey during my heart lessons- or assign for homework so my students have already gained some knowledge before class time (flipped classroom)
2.The students want to be engaged they have expertise in using technology now it is time for me to tap in and use it.1 BIG idea to implement on Monday-
Research More on Don Tapscott! I enjoyed his short video clip it made me want to read his book.**NET G.-
Good at multi tasking
Want immediate feedback & answers
connect with friends via technology
Enjoy spending free time playing video games/surfing web
Love visuals
Short attention span
Lauren- college friend
Lenny-Co worker
Heather-Co worker
John-Supervisor
Jen/Erin- friends that are teachers from home.