UDL - my personal strengths and weaknesses

I like to think that I am a creative person.  I try to bring a level of excitement and fun to a classroom. I endeavor to care for treat each child fairly and acknowledge their abilities.

BUT IS IT ENOUGH?

No

To truly be a teacher that represents the best of our profession we must create each lesson with the
consideration of the ways we represent or present the expected learning, the "what", the ways we allow students to express what they are learning, the  "how" and last the ways we engage our students, the "why".

Visiting and revisiting my lesson plans and curriculum barriers sheet I found areas that I do well in and others that I need to up my game.  I felt that my creativity and love of thinking outside the box lends itself to the representation and expression areas of UDL.  Though with in those headings there were areas I need to look at - Cross linguistic understanding and clarifying syntax and structure.  I have not worked in a situation yet that I have had teach a student with an ELL background.  (I am currently taking the ELL class at Cabrini and observed an ESL class at my high school recently so I
 have seen it in action.)  The other area of concern for me was in the goal setting and managing information and resources.  I think goal setting is an important area for students to be trained in.  There are learning goals for the class that are expressed in the standards and objectives of a lesson plan but within those are the individual student's goals that need to be decided and addressed.

The need for Technology in education has been and continues to be a growing one.  The way that the world is developing is about speed in finding and sharing information.  The internet is vital to connecting to the world at large and all that information.  This is basic tool that many schools have and use daily.  I have not experience with other technological devices in the classroom.  I have an Ipad and have seen a student using it as a way to communicate with teachers.  In my student teaching assignment in an ESY program I am looking forward to seeing what they use.  I think that class websites and blogs are a great way for student to share with the world at large and to learn from others.  I think that parents could connect more directly with what their children are doing and interact with their children about their educational experiences.

I felt my biggest area of weakness was in the engagement section 8 & 9, Sustaining effort and persistence and options for self regulation.  I just had to walk away for a few minutes then....hmmmm I wonder if that is a sign?  Are our own personal weaknesses as learners brought to light as teachers?
That is a blog unto itself.  Showing students what effort is and sticking with it even when the going gets tough is a great lesson itself.  (There is also room for self regulation - we all need a break some time!)  Providing self assessment time is vital to a student understanding goals and setting them for himself.  Adjustment and readjustment is necessary in all areas of life and flexibility is a quality that can be taught.

Well, I just did a self assessment and have decided that I am getting too deep into my "weakness" and need to self regulate and move onto my ADJUSTED lesson plan!!! ; )