map

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1ChPZ25NofI-YpPZFXHip1V5mh6Ug13zk&ll=44.492214655903666%2C-73.18705255819197&z=16

What about UDL vs Differentiated Instruction?

As I think about the differences in UDL and DI, I am reminded of the part of the video we watched where Katie Novak talked about DI have the focus on the teacher and the planning or assessments she has the student participate in vs UDL where the student makes his or her own choices to show what they are learning and what they chose to work on.  “DI recognizes that learners differ in factors such as culture, learning style, and gender. In order to address those differences, teachers need to approach each student by their unique readiness, interest, and learning profile.(CAST, 2013)” gluten free, vegan, dairy free labels

This description in the article along with the video, made me think of planning for a dinner party as an analogy for DI and UDL planning for a course. If you are thinking like someone using DI to plan the party, you might assess each guest by asking about food allergies and giving each guest a specific plated meal according to their food preferences or allergy. (Have you ever seen these kinds of labels at a banquet meal?)

In comparison, I think the UDL dinner party would plan for a variety of guests by serving options that are vegetarian, gluten free, vegan and dairy-free on a buffet. This way each guest could make choices according to their own diet or appetite.buffet options Everyone achieves the same goal of having a yummy meal, however the combination of what each person eats can be unique. Also, you don’t have to disclose your food preferences to the host in the buffet model.

In the classroom, the UDL approach allows for each student to be empowered to make some choices for themselves, but in the differentiated model it appears that the teacher already knows what might work for you based on prior assessments and so that method is chosen for by the teacher for the student.

I think the UDL method provides more opportunity for instructors to plan for a diverse set of learners without knowing exactly what makes each individual diverse. The focus is on the goal and the path to the goal can be varied by the learner.

References:

Article: UDL Intersections – National Center On Universal Design for Learning

Image credits:Place cards imageBuffet food choice image

 

UDL and Expert Learners

What makes an expert learner? I watched the video with UDL co-founder, Dr. David Rose and other UDL advocates discussing expert learners.

(Found here on YouTube.)

He talked about several points that struck me about my own learning and my children’s learning.

First Dr. Rose spoke about expert learners being very goal directed. They have an idea of what they would like to learn and they find the information to help them along. They don’t stop until they are satisfied that met the requirements for learning that particular goal. Once they achieve one goal, they set about making another goal. Expert learners are always learning!

The piktochart on the left was found here. By Stephanie Craig. I would love to make one as part of this course. (I think that will be my goal)

Second, the idea of knowledgeable learners was discussed. Dr. Rose said that expert learners not only know a lot of information about a variety of topics, but they also know where to look up information to supplement that knowledge when necessary. They are resourceful, knowledgable learners!

Third, expert learners have a drive to continue to learn. They are purposeful in their attempts to acquire knowledge and motivated to learn. Expert learners enjoy learning new information and skills. Dr. Rose says that even when an expert learner fails at a task, they keep on going to try to master it. Expert learners are self-regulated and realize that if they keep working at something it will eventually happen for them. They don’t give up!

Dr. Liz Berquist describes an expert learner as someone who had fun when they learn! They want to learn and they are happy to be in a setting where they can learn something new.

In my observations of myself and my children, I notice these traits of an expert learner. Of course we are always working on building these skills and my children are 16 and 12, so they are still building a lot of these skills every day. Most recently, my son is learning to drive and really enjoys working on this skill. At first I was nervous going out with him, but he really listens to my suggestions and works on the skills I suggest. I am enjoying watching his learning process!

 

adding an image embed

St. Louis Arch

Arch in St. Louis

Nem has issue with her laptop

My Nem had an issue with not being able to get a CD out of her laptop today.  I am not sure why, but I decided to help her, I did a google search and found this posting.

kasei
09-26-2004, 10:22 PM
Try this to get your disk out.
To eject a disc with Open Firmware commands, follow these steps:
1. Restart the computer.
2. Immediately after the startup sound, press and hold the key combination Command-Option-O-F.
Note: The Command key has the Apple icon on it.
3. Release the keys when you see a white screen that says “Welcome to Open Firmware.”
4. At the prompt, type: eject cd
5. Press Return, then wait a few seconds. The disc drive should eject any disc that is present, and “ok” appears behind your command when the action is complete.
6. Type: mac-boot
7. Press Return.
Your computer should now start up normally.”
from Macrumors.com posted by kasei.
between this posting and Justin’s very small weak tweasers, she was able to extract not only the CD, but also a piece of plastic mesh.  I think it must have been one of the oddest things I have ever seen!

Blogged with Flock

Blogging article about Vermont Academic Bloggers

Some people you might be familiar with, including yours truly, are quoted in this article, Virtually Academic, about blogging in Vermont universities and high schools. This article was written by Susan Youngwood, who also took the time to attend our Blogging Colleague Tea at the UVM Center for Teaching and Learning. I co-faciliated the tea with Richard Parent, from the UVM English Department. I think one major advantage to teaching and research in the age of blogging is the access to RSS feeds from other blogs and news sites. You can subscribe to these with aggregators like Google Reader and Bloglines on the web. Or use a stand alone piece of software like NETNEWSWIRE. My personal favorite is Google Reader because it merges with the iGoogle interface of google mail, news, and anything else you chose to put there.
I decided to highlight a few academic blogs here from UVM:
pwmartin.blog.uvm.edu, Paul Martin
reparent.blog.uvm.edu, Richard Parent
mmcorson.blog.uvm.edu, Matsumi Corson
ksuzuki.blog.uvm.edu, Kazuko Suzuki
Please post a comment if you have a favorite that I missed!

no iphone in Vermont

Burlington Free Press.com | Local/Vermont The new apple iPhone
is going to only be available to folks who have ATT cinguliar service. This is not good for vermonters and other folks who can’t access this service. Small Dog electronics in Vermont, the number three apple reseller nationwide, will not be able to sell the phone because it will only be sold through Apple or ATT/Cingular. I am dissappointed in this decision by Apple Computer. (now known as Apple Inc.) I hope that they quickly expand their parameters on this device to include more loyal apple customers.

using a photo in my blog

This is a photo I found on the UVM webguide site.
campus106h.jpg
Take a look at these photos. They are all very nice.
holly

Sleeping Fox




IMG_0418.CR2

Originally uploaded by evancparker.

What a sweet photo. My brother in law took this. I would like to see a fox that close! Kind of looks like Maya….

Holly

Olympic Park

smolympicpark06.jpg
This past weekend I went with my husband and son to the Olympic Park in Montreal. We visited the BIODOME. I highly recommend a trip to this Park. We had a blast!RIO – Must see! – Nearby attractions
Holly

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