Final Thoughts...

After completing this course, I feel I have gained a deeper understanding of how to provide for ALL of my students. Throughout this course we learned about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI), why it is important and strategies teachers can use to incorporate technology into lessons. Before this course I knew I had to differentiate for all of my students but I never had a good idea of how to do that. Unfortunately, the only students who I consistently differentiated things with were my special needs students.

As this class draws to a close with the help of my classmates and group members of my social network, I have a rather large folder full of useful websites that I am definitely going to refer back to when working with my students. Websites that help me get to know my students' academic strengths, weaknesses, interests and learning styles will be utilized at the beginning of the year, whereas websites such as BrainPop, United Streaming and Teacher Tube will be integrated into lessons both as activators and summarizers. In addition, websites such as Into the Book and Math Playground can be incorporated into either my lessons or used during workshop at the computer center. No matter what, I now have a nice resource list that I am able to refer to.

I love technology and always have. I have always been interested in learning about the latest technologies, as well as researching online and finding useful websites. Dr. Carol Ann Tomlinson described how having a positive mindset can effect both your planning and teaching (Laureate Education, 2009). This year I'm excited to say that I finally have a SmartBoard in my room. I am eager to get back to school so I can get my hands on it and so the students can get their hands on it as well. I think with the integration of the SmartBoard, my lessons will be much more motivational and engaging because students love using technology as much as I do. With the start of the school year next week, I look forward to putting all of the resources, strategies, and ideas to use with my students this year in order to give all of my students an equal opportunity to be successful.

Resources
Laureate Education, Inc. (Laureate). (2009). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. Differentiating Instructional Elements. Baltimore: Dr. Tomlinson.