Robin Burke Meeting Individual Student Needs With Technology EDU 620 Instructor Dusty Clark November TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING ROBIN BURKE DISTRICT EDUCATOR

Station 1 Universal Design for Learning Bertie County Schools is a PK-12 graded school district serving Bertie County, North Carolina with nine schools serving 2,900 students. On behalf of the board members and the school districts we would like to welcome you to our community event, we have three stations set up with information and activities. In station 1 we have reports from the school district office for the attendees to view showing the growth of our students when UDL was implemented in the teaching using different technology tools, along with examples of UDL instructional plan for lessons and the technology tools that were implemented in the lesson to help meet each student needs. Charts and graphs from students assessments showing improvement areas and areas where they will need more work. The stations will be set up in the gymnasium in sections with labeled tables, computers, information from the district office, pamphlets, lesson examples UDL, seats for the audiences to sit and trained professional that can help answer the questions and concerns that they may have.

Essential Information  UDL is a framework that helps guide the development of learning environments, to help meet each student needs in education. UDL is sometime mistaken as a frame work that only applies to students with a disability, but UDL applies to all learners, using three principles as the core components of UDL (1) Multiple means of representation to give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge, (2) Multiple mans of action and expression to provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know, and (3) Multiple means of engagement to tap into learners interest challenge them appropriately and motivate them to learn.” Edyburn D.L. (2013)  This pertains to P-K through 12 th grade by reducing barriers that will hinder the learners from reaching their academic goals

Demonstrate UDL  Using assistive technology for our students who may have physical impairment, computer software programs for our students who may have difficulties in writing can use the software programs that will allow them to dictate their work and have it converted to a text. Students who may have physical impairment computer software programs with voice recognition, screen readers, and screen enlargement can help with their learning.  UDL has had a great impact on teaching and learning for pre-k through 12 th grade. When educators incorporate research based approaches to teaching and learning, students can benefit from a variety of instructional practices, material, and learning activities to help them master the concept, through different strategies to present content such as web-based communications, music, role play, hands-on activities, field trips, and educational soft-ware.  It states in an article written in Assessing the role of educational technology in teaching and learning that “There is a need to reform teacher education programs through the creation of active learning environments that support and improve the depth and scope of student learning. Specifically, teachers should provide intellectually powerful, learner-centered, and technology-rich environments for students without undermining sound pedagogical practices.” McCombs B, (2000)

Attendees Interaction  All are welcome to interact in this station by doing hands-on activities, using UDL framework. We have trained professionals to help you with the activities and to help create example lesson plans and how to implement technology tools to fit each lesson plan. All are welcome to bring their ideas and collaborate with one another sharing their ideas and thoughts on this subject.  Giving the attendees a chance to do hands-on activities creating example lesson plans and seeing all the ways that technology is helping the students, will help them appreciate the use of technology, and increase their interest in been apart of helping our students in their academic process. They can experience for themselves how implementing 21 st century learning and technology in the classroom have benefit our school as a whole.

Station 2 Mission Belief and Goals  Our mission for Bertie County Schools is to provide the students with high quality, rigorous, student centered learning opportunities that will prepare our students for life in our ever-changing world.  We believe that when guided by innovative effective leaders in partnerships with parents and community members, we can reach our goals of having high student growth and achievement which is focused on providing a safe and nurturing environment employing 21 st century tools and strategies.  English/Language Arts the students can reach their goals by having access to technology through computers labs, media centers, and classroom sets of wireless labs. Students who may have some form of learning disability or physical impairments we have assistive technology to help them meet their goals.

Course Programs Offerings  Some of the courses and programs that are offered in Bertie County Schools are.  (1) Elementary school 21 st century learning center which is a after school program with academic intervention with extra support with homework (in class)  (2) the middle school English/Language Arts courses enhance readiness for all 21 st century learners.  (3) Middle school math courses and programs that  (4) STEM programs for high school students.  (5) (OSCS) Occupational Course of study for high school students with disability  (6) Science  (7) Reading  (8) History  Are some of the courses that are offered in Bertie County Schools.

Station 3 Technology and 21 st century Skills  IN English /Language Arts the teacher can use web-based software programs called Photo Story. In the lesson the students chose a topic and write their own story adding pictures and images with Photo Story.  Life and career skills to help prepare the students for real life situations, and for global and digital economy  Critical thinking skills the students can develop in their thinking and communication skills that will lead to deeper learning.  Technology skills students can learn and demonstrate their digital literacy skills  Learning and innovation skills the students are being prepared to live in the real world and how to go out and use their skills in career settings.  Information, media, and technology skills, literacy outcomes are address when the school are preparing students to develop these skills through carefully blended curriculum and core courses.

Tech/digital tools  One example that we will use in tech/digital tools would be for English/ Language Arts students. Use digital story telling using audio and images to present their story.  Allow the attendees to interact by reading on the information from the resources about digital story, then allow them to use the tools to be creative their own story. Would interact with attendees by allowing them to ask questions, and share their own ideas

How would our school benefit The framework for 21 st century learning was design to help the skills and knowledge that students need to succeed in work, life, and citizenship and it’s the center for learning. Schools and students will benefit from the upgrade because they will have the latest technology equipment that is needed to help both school and students reach their goals in this process, and the school will be equipped for any up coming changes in the curricula. Having the upgrade the educators can move forward in the elements for 21 st century framework to ensure 21 st century readiness or every student, 21 st century standards, assessments, curriculum instructions, professional development, and learning environments.

References  McCombs, B. (2000).  Assessing the role of educational technology in the teaching and learning process: A learner-centered perspective. The Secretary’s Conference on Educational Technology Retrieved from Edyburn, D. L. (2013). Inclusive technologies: Tools for helping diverse learners achieve academic success. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.