EDLD 5364 - Week 2 Reflection

This week’s readings and videos include ways to set goals using technology, the impact of technology on student achievement, and the Universal Design for Learning (UDL).  Setting goals is important for students.  When students have the ability to set their own goals it is much more effective.  Several tools are available for students and teachers to establish and set goals.  Word processors can be used to create KWHL charts.  Programs such as Kidspiration/Inspiration can be used for brainstorming activities.  Polling software such as Survey Monkey and Pollcat can also be used to establish students’ prior knowledge on a subject.  Many web resources are also available to create standards-based objectives and rubrics can be created to communicate the objectives to students (Pitler et. al., 2007, pps. 17-33). 

According to Page technology increases student achievement and self-esteem. Technology also has positive effects on nontraditional students and students of low socioeconomic status (Page, 2002, pps. 390-393).  Schacter discusses the impact of technology on student achievement.  He discusses five studies and their positive and negative findings (Schacter, 1999, pp.3).  While most findings are positive, the studies are dated.  The article is 13 years old and I think studies on students who have spent their whole life with technology, especially the internet would be more informative on technology’s impact on today’s students.    

UDL uses technology to increase the learning opportunities of students.  Classroom goals are designed to include all students.  Learning activities are tailored to each student’s learning needs.   Assessments are then designed to measure student progress and provide useful feedback (Rose & Meyer, 2002)

Page, M. (2002, Sept.). Technology-Enriched Classrooms: Effects on Students of Low Socioeconomic Status. Journal of Research on Technology in Education. 34(4), 389-409.  Retrieved October 5, 2009 from the Internation Society of Education at http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Selectio=Number_4_Summer_20021&Template=MembersOnly.cfm&ContentFileID=830

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

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, http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/

Schacter, J. (1999). The impact of education technology on student achievement: What the most current research has to say. Santa Monica, CA: Milken Exchange on Education Technology. Retrieved from http://www.mff.org/pubs/ME161.pdf.