The Designing UDL contest aims to give educators at all levels the opportunity to share how they put UDL principles into action. Entries in four categories are eligible for prizes of up to $500.
Contest details can be found at http://designingudl.ning.com/ , in the attached quick sheet, or on our Glog (interactive poster) at http://udlcenter.glogster.com/designing-udl-contest/.
In late January, Steven Strogatz, a professor of Applied Mathematics at Cornell University, began blogging mathematics for The New York Times. Here’s his mission:
“I’ll be writing about the elements of mathematics, from pre-school to grad school, for anyone out there who’d like to have a second chance at the subject — but this time from an adult perspective. It’s not intended to be remedial. The goal is to give you a better feeling for what math is all about and why it’s so enthralling to those who get it.”
Check out his posts for ideas on how to make mathematics connect with everyday life at
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/author/steven-strogatz/
As we have a day to work together in Buena, NJ, we will begin by reading Karen Janowski’s post, It’s Not About the Tools it’s about the Possibilities. Karen writes about differentiation, engagement and accessibility in plain terms and brings home the idea that UDL is really just good teaching and an attempt at reaching all of our students.
The Free Technology Toolkit for UDL in all Classrooms is also from Karen and we will spend some time looking at the tools that might help us reach the goals we set when we met weeks ago. Our goals included alternative assessments and these resources are an excellent place to start.
The SmartBoard Revolution Ning contains a wealth of information that we can bring back to your classrooms. We’ll begin by focusing on the Lesson Activity Toolkit, the SmartBoard Recorder, and the Senteos, but from there it’s all about what your specific objectives are.
I’m looking forward to a great exploration today.
While working to meet the needs of all learners, we have used a wide range of web 2.0 tools. Using voicethread, review some of the tools we have used and record your comments on how they have improved teaching and learning.
Source: www.hope-academic.org.uk
Here are some of the resources we looked at as we bookmarked them to our Delicious links.
Free Technology for Teachers
Math Links You Might Have Missed
Mathcasts.org
Math 24 7
Algebra 1 Online
Modules
Please leave a comment with another favorite activity you would share with your students.
Last year you took technology to the teachers, now let’s take it to the classroom. This year, you will have the opportunity to work with students in classrooms and model lessons for your colleagues. You will have the dual responsibility of teaching students and inspiring teachers. Take a look at 32 Technology Integration Tips from Richard
Byrne
Share the tip you find most valuable to you, or your colleagues, as we work to increase the use of technology throughout the district. Explain why this tip is so valuable.
As we get ready for the students to come back this September, let’s take a look at some resources that are available to us.
English Language Listening Lab
Promoting Multiple Representations in Algebra
Foreign Language Voicethread Ning
Math Counts for All Learners
Examples:
Fractions Activity
Annenberg Videos
We’ll also review the UDL Guidelines as we look at the existing lessons you brought with you and work together to embed the UDL Framework.
On our last day together we have decided to focus on promoting multiple means of representation from students in our classrooms. There are so many wonderful and engaging options out there for our students, but as a group, we decided to focus on images and wikis.
Here are our resources for the day. Make sure to add them to your Delicious bookmarks.
ThumannResources – Fun With Flickr
http://animoto.com/education
http://flickr.com/
We’re going to revisit Twitter today. Twitter is just one of the many ways to network with educators.
There are several things to consider before you dive into using Twitter though:
Look at the image of the “Networked Teacher”. What other tools appeal to you to communicate, collaborate and share resources with fellow educators? Share or Tweet your comment.
Lisa Parisi, is a 5th grade teacher in Long Island. After years of both good and bad experiences in working in a co-teaching situation, she has compiled her 4 rules for a successful inclusive classroom. Is there anything that you would add to this list? Would you take anything away? Please comment here.
