EDLD Week 2 Reflection

This week I have learned about the diversity of learners, different brain networks, Universal Design for Learning, and how technology can affect learning and self esteem.  It has been a very informative week. 

The video on brain research talked about three different brain networks.  The first is recognition, which deals mainly with gathering the facts; what is being learned.  The second is the strategic network, which talks about planning or how things are organized or learned.  The third is the affective network.  This is the one that is most challenging for teachers I think, because it deals with the engagement and motivation of the students.  Are they interested in the lesson or challenged by it? (lessonbuilder.cast.org, n.d. [video]).

The principles of Universal Design for Learning, UDL, allow teachers to design lessons with all learners and their capabilities in mind.  These principles also help teachers use all three of the brain networks when planning lessons and assessments. (lessonbuilder.cast.org, n.d. [video])  The concept of UDL makes sense to me because it brings together good teaching techniques that I have learned about at different times during my career.  It is definitely something that I want to utilize in my practice. 

References:

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

Lessonbuilder.cast.org (nd). The Brain Research. Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/window.php?src=videos

Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal design for learning. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Available online at the Center for Applied Special Technology Web site. Chapter 1. Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/