Online+Chat+--+5-15-2012

To follow is the text of the online collaboration of 5-15-2012.

LGTeach85 - Lisa Gonzalez TDeschaine43 - Todd Deschaine

tdeschaine43: OK - Let's share some ideas and discuss some stuff so we can both move ahead with this. I don't remember seeing anything about having to post this in the wiki, but we should both save it just in case lgteach85: I think in her weekly announcement it said that we have to post the conversation in the wiki lgteach85: Well first off...what grade do you teach? tdeschaine43: We could post it on the wiki, and if there are other conversations, they can post them as well. lgteach85: sounds good tdeschaine43: I teach 8th grade math - Algebra to be specific. I have to say that I'm still engrossed in the CAST website that was part of the UDL self-evaluation. It has a LOT of good stuff on there. lgteach85: it really did, it was so interesteing to learn about the three networks and how they contribute to our learning. I teach 4th grade and the information has become so relevant to engaging my learners, I keep thinking now about how to bring in their interest when planning my lessons lgteach85: I have found the when I incoprate things that I know they have an interest in they are so much more engaged and find importance in the lesson, which can be as simple as talking about soccer in a math word problem. tdeschaine43: I know the timing wasn't intentional, but I wish we could have seen this earlier in the school year. My mind gets spinning when I read some of thier ideas. I am especially intrigued by the case studies. The CAST site makes it very clear with good examples of the UDL appraoch compared to the "traditional approach" lgteach85: Right....in May it's almost disappointing because we think about all we want to do with our students with such little time left in the school year. tdeschaine43: You are absolutely right about making the material about them - anytime I can get the students to connect to the lesson because we change something small in a problem makes it easier. Right now we're kind of stuck on burgers and fries. lgteach85: lol Thats funny. My students are very much into the Hunger Games. They literally cannot put the books down, my plan is to read them this summer so I can be more prepared in the fall. tdeschaine43: 4th graders and the Hunger Games? Wow lgteach85: Yes...I have to admit I know nothing about the series so I hope its not inappropriate. One thing about interest that the website did mention is that since studnets' interest changes over time, so it is important to change the way that we learn about in bring in their interest. lgteach85: I know we recently learned about student surveys and we mentioned giving them in the beginning of the year but I was thinking of actually giving them a few different throughout the course of the year so that we can stay more abreast on their interests. Have you ever given surveys like this? How do you get to know your students? tdeschaine43: One thing I find about my 8th graders is that they are kind of isolated in their community. They are close to Philly and New York, but rarely go there. They don't really understand about city things like taxicabs, city blocks, or subways. Seems like our text was written by someone who never left a big city, so I wind up changing the content but not the intent of the problem. tdeschaine43: I am lucky because I loop with them from 7th to 8th grade, so I actually have them for two years. Good and bad with that. I start them off with something like a survey, but never called it that tdeschaine43: More like why they either love or hate math lgteach85: I have found the same thing. We live in a rural community in PA. We have a field trip planned for Philadelphia and I'm sure for most of them this will be a first. Its always interesting to see their reactions when they see less unfortuante people on the sidewalks. It is a lesson all in itself tdeschaine43: Surveys can be great, but if the teacher just gives them out and does nothing based on the answers, the students are very smart to pick up on the inaction. Then they get the attitude like why do we even bother if the teacher doesn't listen? tdeschaine43: Where outside Philly? I live in NJ right over the river. lgteach85: Looping can have its benefits and knowing your students both academically and socially is one of them. I typically like to hold a morning meeting and we alwyas have a period of discussion on Fridays about their weekends which helps to give insight on their interests lgteach85: We live in Southern Chester County, about an hour from Philadelphia lgteach85: They also like the follow through on Monday when I ask about how their soccer game went or how they did in their cheerleading competition tdeschaine43: That is a great idea about asking the students about the weekend - AND the follow up which is probably more important because it shows them you remembered tdeschaine43: So are you by Kennett Square? I was surprised about the UDL stuff, and just how much of it was something I do and never really thought about it. I don't know I agree with all of it, but some of it is pretty good lgteach85: Yes ten minutes away in West Grove. Administration at my school is doing their best to increase the amount of technology that we currently have, but I know with my studnets technology is an instant motivator and interest catcher. lgteach85: Teaching math, are you able to incorporate technology into your lessons frequently? tdeschaine43: I guess I think of the UDL stuff along the lines of what I grew up with in school, asking the question "why do I have to learn this? or When will I use this?" lgteach85: That is the one subject that technology integration doesn't come easily for me lgteach85: I was the same way, if I didn't feel as though it was something that I needed in the future, I didn't put as much empahasis on remembering it. tdeschaine43: I do try to incorporate technology into it as much as possible. I have a smartboard which I could not teach without, and they use grpahing calculators all the time. I try to find a video or a picture that applies to the lesson every day. We are on an 80 minute block schedule, so that fills up some time as well. lgteach85: Thats great! I think showing them a video is so meaningful as I am sure it makes them feel like what they are learning is important in their lives. tdeschaine43: I had them use VOICETHREAD as a presentation tool this year, and it went over BIG. The parents got involved, the kids were creative and funny, and it took the place of them stadning up in front of the class presenting their projects. Our prinicpal was amazed. but still wouldn;t spend the money to get the premium account lgteach85: What were their presentations about? tdeschaine43: They had to spend $1,000,000. They used Excel to set up the spreadheet, and put in hyperlinks to their purchases. tdeschaine43: When you were going through the UDL stuff, did you find yourself thinking "I already do this"? tdeschaine43: I found myself saying that a lot in some areas, but not at all in other areas. lgteach85: I know that will be a memorable lesson for them. AMazingly enough I did, I just never knew that I was accessing those networks and principles while doing so lol tdeschaine43: Same here - I haven't really had the opportunity to go find more stuff on UDL other than what we did in 6713 and on the CAST site. Have you found any other good resources? lgteach85: Like I said I always tried to incorporate interest but I think keeping up with their interest is key, and I always tried to present information in multiple ways with a lot of modeling. I teach an inclusive classroom so it is imporant to try to reach all of my students through different methods. lgteach85: I did I actually found a blog that spoke on UDL in the classroom. Teachers contributed their ideas and even applicaitons they have found to help with UDL lgteach85: [] tdeschaine43: That has to be especially challenging. I used to have an inclusion class, and I remember the students really responded to manipulatives. My co-teacher and I always were on the lookout for items the students could play with. If I remember we had a ton of blocks that stuck together so they could build things. One student used them all year. tdeschaine43: I'll check that out. lgteach85: how about you? Did you find anything? tdeschaine43: I'm sure that if I google UDL I will get way too much, so I'll look to be more specific into middle school. A lot of sites I found refer back to the CAST site, so I would say that the CAST site is pretty good. I did find one site with Math manipulatives, and I thought is was too young for my students but might be good for Elementary -- [] lgteach85: Thanks!! That will be helpful! lgteach85: Well it’s about that time to put my daughter in the bath tub. I appreciate you taking the time to chat and sharing some of your ideas and insight. I’m sure we will be talking soon! tdeschaine43: Thanks for the help! Remember to save this. I'll save it as well and post it to our wiki on a new page. Have fun in the bath! lgteach85: I will! Thanks!! I appreciate you doing that! deschaine43: TTYS lgteach85: see ya!

Kdorr - Hey guys. . . Sorry I missed your online chat, but I was in the hospital this week battling a chronic illness that I have. Unfortunately when these attacks hit I am in the hospital for 3-4 days which really puts a damper on my teaching and masters work. : (

I found that I agree with many of your statements in this conversation in that I too really enjoyed working with the UDL website. I also found that I already incorporate many of these philosophies, but it has reminded me of the power of student interest and offering a variety of ways in which students can communicate new understandings.

I also teach in an inclusion classroom and have recently been given (or I have borrowed - I don't know how long I can keep it) a Smartboard which I have found has greatly increased motivation and participation of all students in my classroom. Using this technology has allowed me to open the doors for many of my kinetic learners in that they are able to manipulate text and interact with media in a whole new way. While I have only began to explore this piece of technology, I can see a variety of ways that I can use it with my students. I would love to see Smartboards incorporated in more classrooms within my middle school because I think that it could provide great instructional modules for math and special education classes.

Lisa - My students are also enthralled with the Hunger Games and I am impressed that 4th graders have taken such in interest in this text. I read the series and have to admit that I could not put it down, but I do think there are some concepts that my be a little advanced for 4th graders. Our 7th grade classes currently read The Giver and is then followed up in 8th grade by The Hunger Games. I recently found a great article on how to integrate the Hunger Games into science, the website is unavailable at this time, but it was published through ASCD. I am sure if you looked it up you would be able to find the lesson. I thought it looked pretty cool : )

Once again I am sorry I missed our live chat, but look forward to touch base with you in the future!

Katie

I apologize for missing the online chat as well. I hope you can still benefit from my contributions.

I am not a stranger to UDL, but have not done a great job of consciously using UDL ideas. After looking through many of the ideas on CAST I have found that I do a decent job in using UDL strategies. I work hard to diversify my lessons, but I do not always incorporate many options into each lesson. As stated by all of you, technology helps a ton. I also use a SMART board along with a SMART Response System. Both help intrigue my students with almost anything we do. If they can use the SMART board, they will be interested. This can make it tough to engage all my students, though, so the Response System helps with that. Each student can interact with the questions asked or short survey given. I also use this for tests, which allows for immediate feedback. Students can calculate their scores once they are done and can check which questions they got wrong.

http://www.gvsu.edu/cms3/assets/3FF2AC1D-9E7D-0B89-4B0ED2FF1717361F/09-10ayinfo/2010startconference/t_elbers__t_karney_-_udl_in_the_classroom.pdf

This is a resource I found from a local University in Michigan. It is a power point presentation showing the basic concept behind UDL along with some good ideas to consider when reaching out to all students. An important note that I found useful is that UDL should be used when considering the classroom environment, each lesson, and all assessments. UDL is often discussed in reference to activities and lessons, but each student must also be able to show their knowledge through an appropriate medium. Although technology can help make UDL easier, it is not always the answer. Not every student will benefit from using technology. I have found, however, that most students are more engaged when given the opportunity to use technology.

Also, I read the Hunger Games over the last year. I loved the series and just saw the movie this weekend. It was great.

- Curt G.