Teaching+w+Technology+EDLD+5364+week+2

According to the selected readings for week two, setting objectives is a very important step in the educational process. Not only does this help teachers realize their short and long-term accomplishments, but setting goals and objectives is very helpful to students as well. The learning objectives should be specific (but flexible), personalized for individual students, and clearly communicated to students and parents. There are a number of different strategies that incorporate technology that can be helpful in setting objectives. For example, word processing applications can be used to have students create KWHL charts, while teachers can use word processing to create contracts, which helps in personalized goals and objectives for individual students. Organizing and brainstorming software can also be helpful in setting objectives. To be specific, **Kidspiration and Inspiration are programs that help students organize their thoughts throughout a lesson. Teachers can use these programs to help students by creating a template or by having the students create a chart based on their word processing KWHL chart. Data collection tools, such as online surveys, can also be helpful in assisting students and teachers to set individualized goals and objectives. Another way teachers can effectively plan and clearly define objectives for their students is to use resources available on the Internet. For example, teachers can access most state standards for each course and grade level online and then use the objectives in creating a rubric for specific assignments**. There are a number of resources online in which educational standards are listed. For example, teachers can refer to McREL's, RubiStar, and TeAchnology Web Portal for Educators to name a few. Finally, educators can also rely on communication software as another means of setting goals and objectives that are clear for students and parents to see. Some specific types of **communication software to use would be blogs and email applications**.

As far as the impact and effectiveness of technology on education, research indicates that the implementation of computer assisted instruction, integrated learning technologies, simulations and software programs that require students to use critical thinking skills are correlated with positive gains in student achievement on standardized and national tests. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that technology integration does significantly effect the self-esteem of low socioeconomic status children at the elementary level.

Based upon recent knowledge in regard to learning, **educators are beginning approach instruction from a Universal Design for Learning (UDL). In the UDL, all students are addressed on all levels. This model of learning is based on brain research that indicates that the brain processes information differently in every person. According to this theory, there are 3 brain networks. The first of these 3 networks involves gathering facts (the what of learning). Next, is the strategic network, and this network is responsible for the "how of learning." Finally, the third network is the affective network, which entails the "why of learning." According to the principles of the UDL theory, educators should customize lessons to meets students' differences in individual brain networks.**