Using Flexible Technology

I believe that Flexible Technology can match and meet students' needs. This might require  teachers and schools to be more confident and comfortable with new technology to adapt it for students' needs. I think the flexibility of technologies is able to meet classroom's variety of abilities in a way that avoids singling out students with different abilities. With differentiated instruction in the technology, students can all work on the computer, each at their different level of ability.  

Accessible textbooks

The article on accessible textbooks is a very encouraging summary of the great advances in using technology to benefit students. For so long, Braille for blind students was almost the only alternative available for students with handicaps, and even Braille is being improved with modern technology. So many other technologies are being developed to help those with  other kinds of disabilities, from learning disabilities to physical disabilities including aural impairment and even cognitive issues. These advances, especially considering that the cost of technology is becoming steadily more affordable, offer great promise, and school should be prepare.

Blogs I am following --- Web20classroom.blogspot.com

Web20classroom is a blog about blending technology and education. I chose it because the blogger works in a school as a technologist, so he has a chance to see whether his ideas work out in practice or not. The site covers the latest information about how to implement technologies in the classroom with step-by-step directions for using new features. A recent post, for example, had great advice and instructions for teachers about setting up a Twitter account, including the importance of making thoughtful choices such as the username.

Blogs I am following - Coolcatteacher

Coolcatteacher.blogspot.com is an innovative site about teaching with "new tools, enthusiasm and belief that teaching is a noble calling." I chose it because it is written by a full-time teacher, which gives me some confidence that the advice will be practical and classroom-tested. She has extensive experience in technology, including social media, as well. The site includes links to free downloadable tools that would be useful in the classroom. 

Blogs I am following -- Eduwonk

Eduwonk.com is a collection of news and events in the field of education with some analysis and commentary. The blog is mostly written by Andrew Rotherham, the co-founder and partner at Bellwether Education Partners, and focuses on policy and politics affecting education. I think it is important to keep up because the field is changing so rapidly and public opinion and support matters so much. This site seems to offer reflective, in-depth analysis of the issues in a thoughtful way. 

WebQuests as Universal Design

The elements of WebQuests fit well into the ideas of Universal Design. For one thing, the approach fosters motivation and creativity by giving each student a collaborative role in the process of answering questions. It seems that, like Universal Design, this kind of education brings together with different abilities and allows each to contribute his or her expertise at the available level. This includes breaking the large questions and projects into "chunks" to make the material more accessible. Different students can be assigned different tasks, with each having a sense of participation in the work. I think it is especially important that WebQuests, like Universal Design, validates the presence of each person involved, even when the ideas may not be validated. This seems like a refreshing, invigorating way to accomplish the goals of Universal Design.

Digital Kids

The importance of technology is unmistakable, and educators must learn to incorporate it appropriately in the classroom. As the comments show, it is a tool for young people today, and we can show them how to use it as a tool to accomplish what they want to accomplish in learning, in business and in creativity as well as in communication and entertainment. The technology gives access to an overwhelming amount of information, which means that the old patterns of memorizing and spitting back are useless. However, the technology does not educate the student on how to use that information, how to judge the quality and value of information or how to consider context and appropriate application. The need for wisdom, judgment and critical thinking has not been replaced by technology, but the wise thing for educators would be to learn the technology and engage the students in innovative ways to use it to accomplish their goals as human beings.