UDL

I was really interested in reading about the ways teachers used cell phones and technology in their classroom.

I loved the idea of students using cell phones to call in their answers to homework questions. This would be great for students who struggle with graphomotor issues; this taps into elements of UDL and allows students to use different modalities to engage with the material. In addition, for some students, they process the information by talking about it, rather than writing it. For me, I find that I learn best when I write to synthesize; but for others, it is more beneficial to talk out their responses in order to best synthesize the information.

I also thought the article, "What's it Like Where You Live?" raised an important point about how teachers need to incorporate technology once students have had ample time with firsthand sources and experiences. For example, as the author indicates, her students had gone out into the field and had a lot of first hand experiences so that the technology brought in another level of understanding to the students. This reminds me of the e NCTM Principles and Standards, where it is important to incorporate technology into lessons, but in a way that makes lessons more meaningful and deepens students' understanding. The author makes a point about the importance of meaningful ways to incorporate technology so that it doesn't become an afterthought. I loved the idea of virtual field trips and am excited to think about ways to incorporate this into my classroom.

It is also important to keep in mind, as with any material used in the classroom, students need ample practice to gain expertise and comfort level. I would curious to hear if the 20% increased as more time passed, as students gained confidence and comfort using their cell phones.