Wikispace & Wikipedia

Please visit my wikispace - created to encourage collaboration within our math department. I also have a wiki through my school. 

Wikipedia is a web-based encyclopedia that allows anyone to add or edit information on its' website. I was able to find my school district in wikipedia, but I did not feel comfortable making any changes. I decided to look up something I knew...Math Standards!  You will see below that I've linked the national standards to its' proper website as well as fixed some grammatical errors in the third paragraph. 

Universal Design Lesson-Reflection

UDL Guideline Checklist

Based on my lesson submitted to MERLOT, I have a few area's that need to be adjusted to meet the need's of my students.  Generally, I feel I do a pretty good job of differentiating my instruction.  However, I have found several area's that provided barrier's to student learning.  I have noted some of my idea's here that I plan to incorporate into my lesson/activities.

UDL Guidelines - Educator Checklist
I. Provide Multiple Means of Representation	Your notes
1. Provide options for perception	***Using VozMe  for text to speech as well as Spanish
1.1 Customize the display of information	Feature: Use of smartboard for instruction-text is adjustable
1.2 Provide alternatives for auditory information	Feature: Use of virtual tutorials and recorded lessons-audio can be adjusted Barrier: no text to speech
1.3 Provide alternatives for visual information	Feature: Use of smartboard, and aplusmath offers students a written explanation when a problem is right or wrong.
2. Provide options for language and symbols	***Using VozMe  for text to speech as well as Spanish
2.1 Define vocabulary and symbols	Barrier:  No glossary or explanation of symbols
2.2 Clarify syntax and structure	NA
2.3 Decode text or mathematical notation	Barrier: It is very difficult for programs to interpret and read mathematical notations generally, but this lesson would not be as difficult because it is based on numbers.
2.4 Promote cross-linguistic understanding	Possible Barrier: Does not offer multi-language options, but math and numbers are considered universal
2.5 Illustrate key concepts non-linguistically	Feature: Concepts are mostly visual and auditory
3. Provide options for comprehension
3.1 Provide or activate background knowledge	Feature: Lesson is based on previous knowledge
3.2 Highlight critical features, big ideas, and relationships	Feature: Lesson based on the relationship between number sense and future math ideas and relationships.
3.3 Guide information processing	Feature: Students must master their basic facts in order before they move onto other lessons
3.4 Support memory and transfer	Feature: Offers a variety of activities to support mastery

II. Provide Multiple Means of Action and Expression	Your notes
4. Provide options for physical action	***Using StudyLadder will provide students with options to practice their basic facts
4.1 Provide varied ways to respond	Barrier: Lesson overall provides options (discussion, oral and written responses, but aplusmath does not *Note to self-use study ladder
4.2 Provide varied ways to interact with materials	Feature: Providing lessons, practice, and ongoing activities
4.3 Integrate assistive technologies	Barrier: Not offering other means than online for practicing their basic facts
5. Provide options for expressive skills and fluency
5.1 Allow choices of media for communication	Feature: providing a variety of web presentation tools
5.2 Provide appropriate tools for composition and problem solving	Feature: provides a variety of tools
5.3 Provide ways to scaffold practice and performance	Barrier: Teacher is expected to give ample examples, but it does not specifically state when and where in the lesson.
6. Provide options for executive functions
6.1 Guide effective goal setting	Feature:  States specific goals and guides through each level until proficiency is met
6.2 Support planning and strategy development	Feature: plan in place for students working at different levels
6.3 Facilitate managing information and resources
6.4 Enhance capacity for monitoring progress	Feature: students responsible for monitoring their own progress during aplusmath practice

III. Provide Multiple Means of Engagement	Your notes
7. Provide options for recruiting interest	***Using studyladder and quizlet
7.1 Increase individual choice and autonomy	Barrier: Not offering other ways to practice basic facts online other than aplusmath
7.2 Enhance relevance, value and authenticity	Feature: clearly showing that knowing your basic facts will save time in the future
7.3 Reduce threats and distractions	Feature: allows students to explore and practice basic facts individually or with help without threat, distraction, or embarrassment.
8. Provide options for sustaining effort and persistence
8.1 Heighten salience of goals and objectives	Feature: offers advanced students options
8.2 Vary levels of challenge and support	Feature: offers students ongoing activities and opportunity to help others.
8.3 Foster collaboration and communication	Feature: offers students collaboration with peers
8.4 Increase mastery-oriented feedback	Feature: activity/lesson based on mastery
9. Provide options for self-regulation	***Using a goal sheet or chart to help student keep track of what they’ve done or how close they are to reaching their goals.
9.1 Guide personal goal-setting and expectations	Barrier: offers no goals or expectations
9.2 Scaffold coping skills and strategies	Barrier: assumed scaffolding techniques, but doesn’t specifically state them
9.3 Develop self-assessment and reflection	Barrier: No self assessment

MERLOT Evaulation

      Algebra2go- Online Supplementary Instruction Review
 

Quality of Content: This site provides an Online Course for Pre-Algebra and Algebra. It addresses the fundamental concepts of Pre-Algebra and Algebra in an interactive way. The study material is presented in a logical/linear way that is both accurate and engaging. Vocabulary used at this site is consistent with course expectations.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching- Learning Tool:

Teaching Tool: This source would be a great interactive way to supplement instruction. It could also be used when students miss instruction as long as students have internet access. Each lesson provides an explanation through notes and a demonstration with virtual instructions. Students are given the opportunity to practice throughout the lesson and with homework. At the end, students are able to apply what they have learned through quizzes to ensure mastery. The lessons are organized in an effective and sequential manner that allows for students to learn a lot in a short amount of time.

Learning Tool: The instructors/authors use hints and questions to activate student's prior knowledge and deepen student understanding. Each lesson clearly identifies a learning goal or objective and then continues to break the information down into sequential chunks for students. Mini quizzes and lessons provide students with instant feedback regarding the specific objective. This site also offers students an opportunity to practice and strengthen their knowledge with homework.

Ease of Use: The site is set up in a sequential, clear, and effective manner. The pages clearly identify the objectives, then lead the learners through an interactive lesson. Lessons are organized in such a way that reinforces the linear or sequential order of math. Students are given instant feedback throughout the lessons which gives them personalized instruction and will encourage them to continue through each lesson.

Concerns: Overall, I was very impressed with the site and its content. However, the virtual instruction is provided by the same two guys each time. I would like to see other instructors being used throughout the site. Just as students probably get tired of seeing me everyday, they may also tire of always seeing the same two guys instructing them. Students will not always learn in the same way, and by providing them with different instructors, you are providing them with different teaching styles as well.