UDL Book Builder

I loved the e-book tool. The e-book can be used as an instructional  tool, an assessment tool and/or as a supplement. One of the most evident and immediate uses for me would be to enable my non-readers and/or hearing impaired students  to participate more fully in the lesson since it has audio options. You can allow students to create their own books to assess their learning, collaborate in groups to and any number of things. One of the best things in my opinion about the e-book is that you are determining the content. You can choose to focus on one specific area and elaborate with pictures and audio or cover any amount of content you choose. It seems to be fairly user friendly although it took me a moment to figure everything out so definitely plan a tutorial type session when using it with students. One final thing about the ebook is that it is web-based so you can involve parents by allowing them to work in some capacity with students at home utilizing the e-book.

Week One - Technology in Teaching

During week one I have learned more about the constructivist learning theory which basically allows students a more hands - on approach in their learning.  This theory allows students to respond and discuss the content thus giving them an opportunity to form opinions, challenge ideas and consolidate what they have learned.

"Learning is both an active and reflective process. Learners combine experience (action) and thought (reflection) to build meaning. Both parts must be present to support the creation of new knowledge."

I have began to look at myself more as a reflective practioneer and I am beginning to see how reflection builds knowledge and enhances the learning process. This quote highlighted for me that reflection is an essential component in learning. The biggest implication for educators is to provide an environment that is conducive to students becoming more reflective and therefore more able to create new knowledge.


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

Animation

Self Branding

Self Branding

Action Research Reflection

Action research is a great tool to use to identify problem areas and find solutions. It begins with personal observations referred to as "wonderings" that can be investigated using data collected on campus. So far in the course I have found that many topics for action research can be found in the discord on a particular campus. Many teachers often complain about issues on campus that can be resolved using action research.

I am trying to be more reflective and investigate topics that are personal to me and relate to my current job responsibilities while at the same time trying to think as an administrator. We will see how it goes!

Action Research

Action research is a reflective practice that allows you to think critically about your own practices in order to effect a necessary change to improve the school environment. In action research a question is posed based on an identified issue or "wondering" by you the administrator. Action research should be posed as a clear and concise question that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. The question can be solved using an internal process and research is conducted either individually or as a group. Principals are able to set up Professional Learning Communities, Leadership Teams or administrative meetings in order to establish a group that will perform the action research.
Some of the benefits action research is that you are an active participant rather than a bystander. The results of action research should be an improvement in the school environment and professional development opportunities. The reflective practices and action research itself is a powerful tool that should be promoted among educators. Action research is a systematic practice that when used correctly and consistently can improve the school climate and student achievement as a whole.

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge, the principal as action researcher. Corwin Press

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our
schools, 8 steps from analysis to action.

Ringler, M. (2007). Action research: An effective instructional leadership for future public school leaders. AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice, 4

Analysis of Blogs in Education

Blogs can be a great resource for educators. Blogs can be used to discuss a variety of topics, they can be a tool for collaboration among students and professionals or they can simply be used as an interactive journal. Blogs or web logs can be a source of motivation for students and a source of information for teachers and administrators.