EDLD 5364: Week 2 Readings and Video Reflection

This week’s readings and videos helped me get a clear understanding of what diversity of learning is and what the principals of universal design for learning are. Every classroom is composed of a group of diverse students; they all have different learning styles, achievements levels, various backgrounds, home environments, and learning needs. It is imperative that follow the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in our lessons, to help insure that we are providing the same level of education to every student in our classroom, regardless of their learning needs. Our lessons need to incorporate various learning resources to give student various opportunities to successfully understand and apply new concepts. We must also provide them with multiple ways to express and assess what they have learned, and we must also find ways to engage, challenge, and motivate students’ learning.  

Citation:

Lessonbuilder.cast.org (nd). Diversity of Learners. Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos

Lessonbuilder.cast.org. (nd). Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos

Lessonbuilder.cast.org (nd). Principles of Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos

EDLD 5364: Week 1 Readings and Video Reflection

This week’s readings gave me the opportunity to reexamine learning theories that I had read about several years ago. When I first read about these theories I was still taking basic college courses, I did not have the opportunity to apply them or really understand how they could work in a classroom setting. The assigned readings and videos have provided me with the opportunity to make connections and really understand how I have been applying Vygotsky’s Constructivism Theory in my teaching. I now recognize how using students’ prior knowledge and integrating different resources to facilitate student learning, helps every student acquire new knowledge. I could associate my teaching style more to the Constructivism Theory, because I feel that all my students can benefits from using their personal experiences to learn and really comprehend new concepts. Giving students the opportunity to practice new concepts in a variety of ways such as hands-on activities, creating power point presentations, models, participating in virtual tours, collaborating with other students, and leading group/classroom discussions helps them take ownership of their learning and make connections between their personal experiences and new knowledge.

References:

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). Learning as a personal event: A brief introduction to constructivism. Retrieved from http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/intro2c.html

Abbott, J. (nd). Building Knowledge: Constructivism in Learning. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F00R3pOXzuk

EDLD 5366: Week 5 Course Embedded Reflection

Prior to the beginning of this course I honestly had very limited knowledge about everything that was necessary to develop a well-organized website. The first assignment helped me really learn and understand the four basic principles of design. Requiring us to evaluate other people’s work to identify and give our opinion on how we believed they applied C.R.A.P. to their designs was one of the best learning activities in week one. This activity gave me the opportunity to apply and assess what I had learned from the weekly readings and videos. I also enjoyed creating a flyer to share with my coworkers and help them understand what C.R.A.P. was. This course also gave me the opportunity to create a personal logo based on descriptive words that my colleagues and I felt described me. Creating my logo was a real learning experience, I was not very familiar with Adobe Photoshop or GIMP, and therefore I had to do several sample logos before producing a personal logo that I felt proud to share with others. Using Styks was very fun for me and my two young boys; we had a blast learning and creating animations. Learning to use this software was very simple; having my 5 and 8 year old using Styks, reassured me that it would be something fun and easy to do with my whole third grade class. Everything that I learn through the first few weeks helped me gain knowledge on what was necessary to produce a quality educational site. I had the opportunity to collaborate with some wonderful and knowledgeable group of ladies; they were all very determined and professional. Creating this site helped me really understand everything that is required and essential for a website to be established in a functional way. While researching for useful site to use as links on all of the different pages, I was able to acquire many useful resources that can assist several of my current students and their parents. I had a wonderful time in this course; I felt that everything was extremely well organized and that every little step I took during the weekly assignments assisted me in taking huge leaps in the development of the culminating final project. Everything that I learned during this course can easily be applied and shared in my current employment.  

   

Citations:

Robin Williams: The Non-Designer’s Design Book, Third Edition.

YouTube video - Basic Layout and Design Principles for Webpages http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_mWi6r-9I&feature=youtu.be

Youtube.com. (nd). Gimp Tutorial: Making a Simple Logo Graphic Image. Retrieved on Oct. 20, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVXWjuwkqas

Ben Hunt’s: Web Design from Scratch  http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-design/great-web-logos-for-creative-inspiration/

Stykz: The first multi-platform stick figure animation program. Released on Jan. 02, 2011. Stykz

EDLD 5366: Week 4 Instructional Technology Assistance Group Site

EDLD 5366: Week 3 Animation (Stykz)

EDLD 5366: Week 2 Personal Logo

EDLD 5366: Week 1 Reflection

The Book of Kells, by Edward Sullivan
If I would have previously studied the Plates, I would have commented on the beauty and color combinations of each piece without understanding their complexity.
The illustrations follow the four principals of design; the intricate use of a variety of vivid colors and the pale background demonstrate contrast. The colorful elements and symbols are repeated in each design. The contrasting colors and the continuous use of decorative frames help each image maintain a sense of organization representing alignment and proximity.
The assortment of time-consuming details used to create each Plate help us understand the purpose and significance the illustrations play.