chapter 10 & 11

Chapter 10 talks about using technology to teach students of different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Multiple instructional methods and varied teaching approaches addresses different learning needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. New York State is a big "melting pot" where multicultural education is evident in almost every classroom. Differentiated instruction addresses needs of diverse students within the same class. Universal design for learning creates teaching and learning situations that meet the needs of students with different needs while presenting the same opportunities for everyone. Creating accommodations and  limiting modifications are practices that ensure equal opportunity for learning.  Speech recognition software, text treading software, interactive storybooks and storybooks apps are examples of assistive technologies that aid students with disabilities.

Chapter 11 talks about the important role of assessment in teaching and learning. Three interrelated elements of assessment are: new teacher assessment, student assessment, and student self-assessment. A digital teaching portfolio "is a collection of educational and professional materials stored in an electronic format". The portfolio shows teacher's growth and development over time. The portfolio includes a teacher's resume, philosophy of education and references, lesson or unit plan and reflections, academic courses and research experiences, and teaching experience. Teacher's personal reflection is a learning experience.  I like how the author describes a portfolio as celebratory scrapbook of the past. Student's also create digital portfolios which become "both a personal and a public piece of writing".  Students also engage in assessment. Students' engagement in decision making motivates students. I am excited about the portfolios we will create as the last project in our class. I am also nervous about choosing the appropriate components for each section of the portfolio. The good thing is that it can be updated and improved at any time. :)