Cerzosimo,+Caroline

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**Learning Style**: I have completed the learning style survey and completely agree with my results of being a visual/nonverbal learner. I do find it easier when teachers present concepts and information with lots of visuals that I can refer to when studying to remember the information. When studying, it helps me to make up flashcards and create charts to organize the information. While taking tests I then have the ability to go back in my notes and visually see them in my head.


 * Learning styles and differentiating Instruction: ** It is a fact that every student learns more effectively in different ways. After I completed the learning styles survey and was labeled to be a visual/nonverbal learner. This information confirmed the fact that I know I learn best when information is presented to be in charts, graphics and any other visual reference. Reading the paragraph on being a visual learner confirmed to me all the techniques that I already use, such as flash cards and organizing information into charts. Being that all students do in fact learn differently, [|www.cast.org] is designed to help teachers in finding ways to incorporate different instructional techniques to accommodate to all learners. I felt like this website was very informative and helpful for all teachers in all content areas and grade levels. Upon exploring the CAST website, I looked into the electronic version of “Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age”. I found it interesting and helpful to know that outlining student’s goals is essential to their success and understanding of the content. I also found it interesting that it is inaccurate to test students with written and standard tests, being that they are being asked to reiterate information in a different way and with no sources they used to learn it. The book states that using digital tools to constantly and frequently asses students as they are in the process of learning the material. I envision myself using this tactic in my biology classroom through digital simulations for different concepts in biology. I feel that developing differentiated instruction is highly important to the success of all students. We as teachers can’t assume that all students are the same and will learn the information in whichever way it is presented. This makes it our job to find in what way students will learn to their highest capabilities. I believe that using digital tools is a great way to differentiate instruction for the various capabilities with visuals, and audio.

**__ Virtual Field trips :__** After exploring some of the virtual field trips and simulation programs located in the web, i feel that these tools are great for any teacher to incorporate into their classrooms. These can and should be used as a resource to differentiate instruction for those more visual and bodily kinesthetic learners. When i myself was going through the virtual tours, i found most of them very easy to follow with and engaging. The particular one that was assigned to be explored on New Bedford and its whaling industry was equipped with sound and various pictures to get students interested and feel like they were truly in a story on port New Bedford. I think all teachers need to use some sort of simulation like this to accommodate to every different type of learner in their classroom. Virtual field trips are a great way to get students acquainted with the material to be learned and technology.


 * __ Assistive technology: __**

1 . From visiting the websites and viewing the videos in Part I of the assignment, what information did you learn about assistive technology for disabled individuals? **From visiting some of the websites I have learned how much assistive technology is actually out there for people with various kinds of disabilities affecting anything from speech, vision and mobility. With all the advances made in technology used in my every day, I never really think about all the advances being made with assistive technology. These sources have taught and informed me on how much assistive technology has grown.** 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? **I really like the video “Assistive Technology enabling dreams”. All the assistive technology that students were using in the classroom really impressed me and how much it is vital to their success in the classroom.I was highly impressed with and wasn’t aware of the voice recognition software that was available to those students without mobility.** 3. What promises/potentials does technology provide for students with diverse learning needs? **Assistive technology allows students with disabilities to be able to do and learn the same as every other student. Without the assistive technology students are unable to get work done or even attend class. Especially in this society, everyone has become dependent on technology, particularly those with special needs. With such a broad range of capabilities and primary focuses, assistive technology has become individualized to a specific persons needs.** 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 have never really had a person experience with another person and their form of assistive technology, this was probably why I was so impressed with the sources and the broad range of capabilities assistive technology has.** 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? **As a future teacher, I think that it is important to know what kind of resources are out there. I believe that all teachers are bound to encounter a student with special needs. With this, it is in the teachers best interest to get information on the resources and opportunity that are out there for their students that will facilitate their learning. Being aware of this will not only make a teacher knowledgeable and resourceful, but will also make them look good to parents, administrators and other teachers.**

media type="youtube" key="wJf8cjh-EFQ?hl=en" height="344" width="425" Here is a digital story I created on the very popular book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle This book teaches kids to not only count but also the days of the week, the life cycle of a butterfly and also not to be greedy with food!
 * Digital Story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar **

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