REFLECTION

The Walden University course Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology has given me a better understanding of Universal Design for Learning and an appreciation for Differentiated Instruction. I have a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher and how to reach students at multiple levels of learning.

As a teacher at a diversified high school in Metro Atlanta, GA, my goal is to reach out to all students regardless of their level of achievement or background. With an understanding of UDL and DI, I am looking forward to incorporating more technology into my lessons, such as allowing students to use their cell phones for a project. I am a strong believer in giving every student a quality education. Although technology is not the saving grace of America’s problems in education, it can help to bridge learning gaps that are created among students. Differentiated Instruction has rekindle an understanding that students are like finger prints, they are all different and learn in different ways. By changing my lessons and presenting them from multiple perspectives, I will help those students that need to actively involve themselves in an activity.

Many teachers complain about a lack of access to technology and fail to realize their students are walking around with mini-computers all day. I was lucky enough to be one of four social studies teachers awarded a Promethean Board in my classroom and I have already started creating assignments and projects that are keeping my students actively engaged in class. Technology will continue to advance and put a world of knowledge at our students’ finger tips, will teachers embrace it and move forward or resist it and continue to complain about the current state of education?