Schnell,+Rebecca

External Links: Rebecca Schnell's HTML Page

Documents:




__Voki:__
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__Reaction to Virtual Field Trips:__
====The virtual field trip websites were extremely detailed, engaging, and user friendly. I learned a lot if information through these virtual field trips and actually I felt that I was at those places. These virtual field trips allow students to interact with materials that are not available in the physical classroom. Teachers should include these virtual field trips in their lesson plans and classroom activities as much as possible, especially if the actual museum/site is too far or too expensive to visit. However, I think the virtual field trips negate some of the purposes and benefits of the "old fashioned" style field trip. Riding the school bus, packing a lunch, and exploring the actual museum/site are part of the field trip experience. I remember all the field trips I went on during my elementary school years. I remember how exciting it was to the ride the bus and explore somewhere outside of the school. My favorite memories are of the trips that my parents were able to chaperon. It made learning experiences so much fun! The purpose of field trips is to get the students outside the physical classroom and allow them to apply their knowledge and explore in real life places. Virtual field trips are a great supplement to the classroom, but should not replace the "old fashioned" field trips.====

====In my classroom, I will use virtual field trips to prepare my students before we actually visit the museum/site. This will be a great way to allow my students to become familiar with where e are going and what we are learning. I also will use virtual field trips as a follow up to our field trips. The will be useful when students need a "refresher" on what we did and learned. In addition, I will use virtual field trips when it is impossible to visit the actual place. It will be a great way to see places around the world.====

__Reflection on Learning Styles Assessment and CAST Website Resources:__
====1. In completing the learning styles survey, did you learn anything new about your personal learning style, or did the information confirm what you have already determined about how you learn best? Were there any suggestions offered for improving your study skills that you had not considered before?====

//Your primary learning style is: The visual/verbal learning style.//
====//You learn best when information is presented visually and in a written format. In a classroom setting, you benefit from instructors who use the blackboard (or overhead projector) to list the essential points of a lecture, or who provide you with an outline to follow along with during the lecture. You benefit from information obtained from textbooks and class notes. You tend to like to study by yourself in a quiet room. You often see information "in your mind's eye" when you are trying to remember something.//====

//Learning Strategies for the Visual/Verbal Learner://

 * ====//To aid recall, make use of "color coding" when studying in your textbook or notes. Using highlighter pens, highlight different kinds of information in contrasting colors.//====
 * ====//Make flashcards of vocabulary words and concepts that need to be memorized. Use highlighter pens to emphasize key points on the cards. Limit the amount of information per card so your mind can take a mental "picture" of the information.//====
 * ====//When learning information presented in diagrams or illustrations, write out explanations for the information.//====
 * ====//When learning mathematical or technical information, write out in sentences and key phrases your understanding of the material. When a problem involves a sequence of steps, write out in detail how to do each step.//====
 * ====//Make use of computer word processing. Copy key information from your notes and textbook into a computer. Use the print-outs for visual review.//====
 * ====//Before an exam, make yourself visual reminders of information that must be memorized. Make "stick it" notes containing key words and concepts and place them in highly visible places - on your mirror, notebook, car dashboard, etc.//====

====I completely agree with the results of my learning style assessment. I am 100% a visual learner. Power Points, outlines, and handouts are very helpful to me during lectures and presentations. I struggle immensely when teachers do not provide some kind of visual aid during a lecture. Note taking is one of my strong points as a student because I rely so heavily on them for studying. I use many of the learning strategies that the assessment recommended for visual/verbal learners. I color code about everything in my life - from my school work, calendar, and even the clothes in my closet. I also go through thousands of flash cards when studying. The benefit of using flash cards is two fold for me. First, it incorporates rewriting my notes on the flashcards, which reinforces the information I am learning. Second, it provides a visual aide for me to study from. I also rewrite or retype notes, which also incorporates the reinforcement aspect of my studying, and then use my rewritten notes or printed out notes to help me study. I realized how much of a visual learner I am when I started college. Teacher no longer wrote notes on the chalkboard or projector, I struggled with processing the information and material. I noticed immediately that the lack of visual aids was the reason I was struggling. Knowing what king of learner I am helps me study more effectively and successfully.====

2. What was your overall impression of the CAST website?
====I was very impressed with the CAST website. It offers so much information about what UDL is and how to implement in a classroom. This website really emphasizes the importance and impact that a UDL curriculum can have on all students, especially those with disabilities. In my education classes, I have briefly learned what UDL is, but the depth did not go much further than what is stands for and a simple definition. Before looking at this website, I knew that UDL was something that I need to be able to implement in my classroom, but was clueless as to how to do that. Just through browsing the CAST website, I feel like I have gained so much knowledge on UDL. I will definitely reference this as I continue my journey as a preservice teacher.====

3. Did you find any interesting information in the electronic version of //**Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age**//? Describe how you might incorporate that information in your teaching.
====**//Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age//** provides so much information on everything you need to know about UDL. The information presented in this book emphasized the importance of using technology to implement UDL for all students. Technology has become so relevant in today's world and it is crucial that teachers implement it in the classroom. CAST suggests using different types of technology to touch on all different types of learners in one lesson. I will utilize technology in my classroom to present information and content in ways that will support all types of learners.====

4. What was your reaction to the 2 actives in which you participated? Did you gain any new insight into your strengths and talents through these exercises?
====Taking the learning style assessment emphasized the fact that there are many kinds of learners. Looking at the cast website and reading **//Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age//** taught me how to use strategies and techniques to reach out to students with different learning styles. I will try to evaluate my students to determine what type of learner they are so that I can teach to meet their needs.====

5. Many of my students have responded quite positively to the materials at CAST. How do you feel about this approach to developing differentiated instruction?
====I believe UDL is crucial to create a a positive learning environment for all students. Using UDL can help teachers meet the required standards and meeting the needs of every student at the same time. Many teachers have trouble meeting their students needs because they are worried about fulfilling the required standards. UDL removes the barriers and problems that occur within a classroom when students' individual needs are not being met.====

CAST has really opened my eyes to the importance of UDL. I feel inspired to learn as much as possible about UDL and hope that I will be prepared enough to implement UDL is my own classroom.
__Reflection on Assistive Technology__:

1. From visiting the websites and viewing the videos in Part 1 of the assignment, what information did you learn about assistive technology for disabled individuals? I learned that every day objects can easily be adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Assistive technology can change the way people with disabilities can participate in society. The information on the websites and the videos showed me how technology can help people with disabilities communicate and get around physically in the classroom.

2. Were there any sites, products, or resources that particularly impressed you and that you want to remember as you prepare to become a classroom teacher? Kathy Schrock's Special Education page really impressed me. I was overwhelmed with how much information was available. This is definitely a website that I will reference as I continue the early childhood/elementary education track.

3. What promises/potentials does technology provide for students with diverse learning needs? Technology provides students with diverse learning needs the necessary tools learn in a mainstream classroom as much as possible and appropriate. Technology is the force behind what makes education successful for these students.

4. Have you ever had a personal experience with a student or other person who has used some form of assistive technology to help them function in learning or everyday life? If so, describe what you observed from that experience in terms of meeting the special needs of those individuals. I went to high school with a girl who stuttered. She used a headset with a microphone that recorded her voice as she spoke. This allowed her and our teachers to listen to her recordings and evaluate her stuttering. In addition, it kept track of the pace at which she was speaking. When she began speaking too fast, the headset started beeping, which reminded her to slow down and focus on what she was saying. Even as a high school student, I noticed the improvements in her speech when she started wearing the headset. It gave her more confidence when speaking in classroom discussions.

5. From this assignment, what will you carry with you as you prepare to become a teacher - one that will, most likely, face the challenge of meeting the needs of special education students along with non-disabled learners? When I become a teacher I will always try to exhaust all options to provide my students the assistive technology to enhance their educational experiences. It will be my job to help these students and help them achieve their goals.

__Glogster:__
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__Digital Story:__
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