Can Technology Be Useful In A Classroom Setting?

Throughout society technology is constantly changing. The evolution of technology increases the amount of support and resources available for teachers to implement in a classroom setting.  Universal Design for Learning allows teachers to modify the curriculum, in order for children to receive an education that best fits all. This means that UDL can fit in to the Web 2.0 world.

As a future special education teacher it's essential to know no child learns the same. Web 2.0  allows for information and experiences to be shared and published in many different ways (Nelson & Rosen, 2008). This allows  students with and without disabilities to be apart of the learning experience in class. Instead of having to alternate the curriculum to meet the needs of students with disabilities, Web 2.0 can provide an alternative to how the child learns the curriculum. UDL is all about meeting the needs of all students, and with Web 2.0 it can be the foundation as another resource to accommodating to any child's unique way of learning.

Being in the society we live in today technology can be of a great value in the classroom setting. It not only assist students with disabilities but, brings learning to life for all children. Although technology can be beneficial when implemented correctly, it can also be a burden on teachers as well. Technology is not very resourceful as it once was. Now anyone with an Internet browser can write to the web (Nelson &Rosen 2008). With this in mind teachers now have to be more cautious in what they teach and how, because we now live in a society where you can put anything out there. With implementing technology into the classrooms you now have to hire and look for more qualified educators who know how to use technology.

Whether we consider ourselves to be digital natives, or digital immigrants, we need to examine the big picture of the effect technology has on society. Being a digital native is considered growing up in the era where technology was introduce and is familiar but, being a digital native is not as good as news make it to be. In the Today Show video on "What is the Internet, Anyway?" they highlighted a good point where they didn't understand what the @ symbol meant but, somehow used it anyway. This shows no matter how much we use technology in everyday life we still don't fully understand little things that might slip our minds when using technology.

Rosen, Dina; Nelson Charles. (2008). Web 2.0: A new generation of learners and education, Computers in the Schools, 25:3-4, 211-225, DOI: 10.1080/07380560802370997 

Using a Blog as a Teacher and Educational Tool

I feel that the links provided to help us better understand the use of blogs and how it can be implemented in a classroom setting were very useful and helpful.Creating a blog allows you to give your own perspective of things. As the video put it anything is news and I agree. Blogs can help develop writing skills for students of all ages. Whether they are being creative or responding to a specific topic blogs allow children to explore their thinking outside of the classroom. The tips given in "33 ways to use blogs in your classroom and educational settings", are ways I would use blogs or have my students use blogs. I also loved the idea that Ms. Linda had by using the blog to inform parents on whats going on inside of the classroom. This help everyone whose in involved in the child educational process to be knowledgeable of strengths, weaknesses, and what works and don't work.