Chat+Log+July+15

Note: All lines with no name were sent by Stacey Ravo.

> Hi Melinda!  Hi Stacey :) > I tried to set up our own private chat - I talked to a walden chat person and they said the instructor would set it up... but it was already 9:00 so I assumed it wouldn't be done in time.  ok...yeah, probably not...  How is your presentation going? > I just started to research this morning for it. My in laws were staying with us and I wasn't really home the past few days. > How about you?  I am at about the same stage as you. :) I usually do most of my work on the weekends... > Me too. I feel like I have a better chunk of time to sit and not have to do other things.  exactly! > Do you have children?  no > Neither do I. Still hard to find time! I wonder how people with kids do it!  I know, me too! :) I thought I would be less busy during the summer time...but I seem to still be just as busy! :) > I said that to my husband. I said I have more time not being at work, but I fill that time with the billions of things I don't have time to do during the school year! haha :)  Agree!! :)  Hello I think I am on now. Had trouble downloading java  Hi! :)  Okay so anyone here from Michael?  Good Morning! > Hi Alexis! > Nope, haven't heard from him. Was he getting married or having a baby or something really important like that? lol > Hi Michele  I think he did say something about getting married...?  I think married. > Maybe this is his week off for that. I know he was working ahead.  Awesome...there is a problem with my wiki join. What do I do now?  Okay so for this assignment we are to discuss resources we located as we developed our UDL presentations <Alexis Scheck> I found a really cool wiki toolkit that has a lot of free resources, I posted the URL on our wiki under my page check it out when you get a chance. > I just started researching this morning, but I found one resource that is helpful when planning actual lessons with UDL included... http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/ > It has sample lesson plans and highlights where UDL is implemented in the lesson. <Melinda Rost> I also posted a list of resources I have found to our wiki page <Alexis Scheck> I also found a blog by a teacher with UDL ideas I put that on the wiki as well but the url is •http://udlspotlight.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/udl-and-celebrating-co-teaching/ > What type of format are most of you using? PowerPoint? Voice Thread? etc... I haven't started yet so I was just wondering what might be working well for you. <Alexis Scheck> I think to post resources we find for the UDL presentation our wiki is the best forum. <Melinda Rost> I haven't started my presentation yet either, but I was thinking a VoiceThread... <Alexis Scheck> I created a voicethread presentation which I already posted on our wiki as well. <Michele Scavone> I am doing a PowerpointPresentation with some audio. <Alexis Scheck> I started off making a powerpoint and then uploaded it to voicethread to add voice commentary. <Alexis Scheck> Look ahead to week four application, there are more requirements for the presentation. It would have been helpful to have all the requirements at on time I found I had to redo a lot. > I was thinking Voice Thread also. I could use some extra practice with the program since I'd like to use it in my classroom this year with Kindergarten. <Michele Scavone> Yes, I had the same difficulty. I began putting my presentation together then looked ahead and saw much more was required. <Melinda Rost> thanks for the heads up... > Yes, thank you! > Is the purpose of the assignment basically to share it with colleagues to teach them about UDL? <Alexis Scheck> Yes Stacey I believe so. <Melinda Rost> Yes, I think so <Alexis Scheck> We need to discuss any support, ideas, and perspectives we have about UDL on this chat. <Michele Scavone> I found this you tube presentation that was helpful...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFcYFbV3kEo <Alexis Scheck> I totally understand and agree with UDL concepts. However, my one major concern is still about time. <Alexis Scheck> When I was a new teach, with no children to run home to, I was at work a min. of 10 hours a day. > Alexis, I agree. Time is so hard. It takes a long time to plan a lesson with different types of students in mind and I find it chaotic at times with students are doing different things. <Melinda Rost> Alexis, I completely agree. I think UDL is great for students, but as we read in one of the articles this week, planning just one lesson can take so much time... <Michele Scavone> I think all of the tools we have utilized throughout this program are useful. But I agree with yu Alexis that time is a major concern. <Alexis Scheck> Now I have other responsiblities and need to leave work on time and get home. <Alexis Scheck> I find it much harder to create lessons iwth UDL principles. It take a lot of time, energy, and organization to do this type of teaching for each lesson. <Alexis Scheck> I want to provide options for each lesson, for all parts of the lesson, but I just do not see this as a reality <Alexis Scheck> That is where I think teaching elementary school I am at a disadvantage. <Michele Scavone> Not only does it require a lot of time, but many different resources that are not always available. <Melinda Rost> I agree, and when you are teaching elementary school with several different subject areas each day, that just adds so much more time needed > I agree. Like I mentioned, I feel like it is chaos when there are too many different things going on at once. I teach Kindergarten with no aide and they are rarely independent. It is hard to expect them to do different things on their own, ESPECIALLY if they include technology (which usually has issues). <Alexis Scheck> If I was only teaching one subject I could focus my effort on creating amazing math lessons or reading lessons only, but teaching 50+ different lessons a week with a 35 minute planning period is not condusive to what it takes to install UDL concepts in each lesson. <Michele Scavone> I teach elementary school LAL and Social Studies only and I still don't have enough time. > Michele - I agree with the resources. I know a lot of schools do not have money to put into technology. Someone in a discussion also mentioned the amount of time it takes to receive it once it has been seen as necessary. > I think it would be beneficial to take it in baby steps. So, maybe pick one lesson a week or theme to try it and see how it goes. <Alexis Scheck> One solution I think I can offer is practicing USL as much as possible in one subject area. Then the following year add another, since I tend to do somewhat the same curr. and lessons from year to year. That way we won't feel so bogged down. <Michele Scavone> I had NO resources at all. Resources for technology was the least of my concerns. I was trading in ink toner at Staples to get money for supplies like pencils, erasers, whiteboard makers. The necessities were not even available. <Melinda Rost> Alexis and Stacey, I agree...one step at a time seems like the best way to begin implementing UDL strategies... <Alexis Scheck> Another idea is to collaborate with other teachers on that grade level. I am luck my coworkers share a lot. I think if we each take a subject to work on we can get it together in a year. First year as a trial, next to perfect our plans. <Michele Scavone> That is a great idea Alexis, but what if you only taught one subject all day? > Alexis, I agree. I do find it hard to get my team "on board" with things like this since they do take more time. We work closely together but they don't know about UDL and I don't think they intend to put more time into their plans when they aren't required to. I don't want to sound negative but it is often hard to get others on board. <Alexis Scheck> I have to say the more I take these courses the more I wonder how we ever became educated people with sucessful careers. :) I wonder where I would be if my teachers catered to my ever need, maybe I could have been like Bill Gates. <Melinda Rost> lol :) > haha > I feel that these courses are great with exposing us to new ways of helping kids learn - but it doesn't necessarily means that "old" ways won't work or be beneficial to students. <Michele Scavone> As great as UDL sounds...what are preparing our students for. The corporate would isn't Burger King "have it your way". <Alexis Scheck> You said it! > Neither are our state tests.... <Alexis Scheck> I think we need to keep UDL in perspective, I can differentiate lessons but I also can not be at work until 8:00 each night. <Alexis Scheck> Stacey great point. <Alexis Scheck> NJ state testing is rigorous, and they are one way students can make an authentic artifact > UDL provides "options" for all students but the tests only allow accomodations for those labeled with "disabilities". <Michele Scavone> I teach in an Abbott district. We teach to the test. <Alexis Scheck> I do to some point to. <Alexis Scheck> Students need to be able to write a good essay on the test whether or not that is conducive to their learning style <Alexis Scheck> They also need to read the story and answer comprehension questions, options to listen to the story are not give. <Melinda Rost> exactly! there are no optional ways for students to show their understanding of material on the state testing.. we have to teach them how to answer comprehension questions and give them time to practice... > Yes. I struggled with that when I taught second grade. I tailored my instruction with readable material for my lower readers. However, when they are given a state test, I could not help them read any of it - which was above their reading level. <Michele Scavone> From January till May it is NJAS test prep. We teach everything cookie cutter style. > Michele - do you see a change in your students' attitude toward school at that point? <Michele Scavone> Just like you said Stacey. I can bring it down to their level, but when testing time comes they need to preform on grade level. <Alexis Scheck> So while we all agree that UDL approach is important and provides better understanding of material and long term memory of the experiences we need a balance becasue although we maybe ready to move forward administration and state regulations are not. <Michele Scavone> By March they have had enough and I started to loss them. <Melinda Rost> I think that pretty much sums it up! :) <Michele Scavone> My principal helped by sending in the second grade teacher to team teach for two weeks prior to the test. <Michele Scavone> I am anxiously awaiting the test scores. <Alexis Scheck> So during we need to teach good skills which students can use to be sucessful on the tests, we can do that with the UDL approach throughout the year. > Does anyone need any clarification on our assignment while we're all together? <Alexis Scheck> For example, when teaching reading comprehension, I provide different strategies throughout the year. One week might be creating mental images while another is making connections to a text. Is this UDL only spread out over the year instead of one lesson. I am not saying they need to read and comprehend only one way. <Alexis Scheck> I do the same for math, we teach students to memorize multiplication facts, but we also show them repeat additon method and the count up method. > Alexis, I think after you introduce all the strategies, it is UDL by allowing them to choose a way for them to comprehend - ie, making mental images, making connections, etc. > I think you're right on Alexis. <Michele Scavone> Perhaps this is why we are getting overwhelmed with the UDL approach. I think your on the right thinking track Alexis. <Melinda Rost> I think so too... <Alexis Scheck> I think I am set with my presentation, take a peek I have the link on our wiki alread. I am going to start looking ahead at week 5. I need to complete all of transition point 4 before September. The beginning of school is crazy and I have a baby coming in November so I am working ahead inthe course to free up some time for the major assessments. > I think the key really is to do it in small steps as we've talked about and allow students to explore the way they like to learn and learn best. it does not have to be in every lesson - it's too much. Just providing them options and opportunities is what we need to include. > Baby!? How exciting! Congrats/good luck! <Melinda Rost> Congrats! :) <Alexis Scheck> thank you <Michele Scavone> Congrats! > If anyone has additional resources, just post them on the wiki so we can all access them. I will post the link I sent earlier about the lesson plans incase anyone wants that. <Melinda Rost> I think I am good with the presentation too...thanks for moving up the time so I could meet with you all! I appreciate it! > I think we make a great group - good job! <Michele Scavone> I can't post anything to the wiki. If anyone has contact with Michael please put in a word for me. <Alexis Scheck> So I think we are wrapping it up. I suggest if we have any other questions or concerns we can post to the wiki or e-mail. > Where do we post this chat so Dr. Derby can see it? <Alexis Scheck> I think we need to get in touch with Michael for that <Michele Scavone> No problem pushing up the time. Were teachers we have the summers off to sit around and do nothing!!! ;) > lol :) > Thanks everyone for meeting! It was nice talking to all of you! <Alexis Scheck> You too! Bye! <Michele Scavone> Great chatting with you all. Bye! > I will take care of posting it to our discussion area.