EDLD+5364-+Week+4+Reflection


 * Week 4 Reflection**

Week 4 focused on using technology as a teaching aid to accomodate diverse learning styles within a classroom. We focused on cooperative learning groups and learned that students learn better when they are able to share ideas with others. Technology allows us to create global learning groups with the Internet. Students can partner with teachers, students are researchers world wide to gain knowledge on any subject area they wish. Gone are the days when one has to rely on just one teacher, or the books in the library for learning. This gets students accustomed to the concept of being global learners and using a wide variety of tools to solve problems, which is something that they will all need to do in the workforce.

This week also focused on the need for teachers to use technology to accomodate learners with disabilities or those that may have areas of weakness. In //Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age//, Rose and Meyer gave a example scenerio involving Patrick, a student who is taking a test in math class. Patrick has difficulty reading and writing and the authors suggest that allowing Patrick to take the math test using a computer and text-to-speech functionality will allow the teacher to accurately assess his math skills independently of his reading and writing issues. While I agree that it is necessary to isolate subjects so that students can be throughly and accurately assessed, I think we must be careful not to use technology to handicap students. Often, students want modifications or assistive technology for things that they are not good at, but if they aren't challenged in those areas then they will remain problem areas for them. Patrick should be allowed to use technology for his math test, but he should also be receiving intense intervention in reading and writing so that in time, he can perform well in math, reading and writing.

A major theme this week was the notion that learning does have to look one specific way and students learn in different ways and technology helps teachers reach more students and accomodate a wider array of learning styles. This is very true and the use of technology can give students a whole world to explore and limitless ways to assess their learning instead of using traditional paper and pencil. However, I believe that technology is a valuable tool in learning but it should not replace paper and pencil, as students will be required to perform in traditional settings in college and in the workforce.