TFTL+Standard+II-Planning+and+Designing+Learning+Environments+and+Experiences

TF/TL Standard II: Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences

The performance indicators for this standard include designing developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology. These learning opportunities utilize instructional strategies that support the diverse needs of learners (TF-II.A). In order to do this, the leader needs to apply current research best teaching practices (TF-II.B). Based on this, the leader will locate the best suited technology available and accessible for their learning experiences that they set up for their learners (TF-II.C). The leader will also manage the technology resources that they have (TF-II.D) and plan strategies for learning in a technology enhanced environment (TF-II.E). They will then apply those strategies associated with their technology resources (TF-II.F) (Williamson 43). One activity done related to this standard was the use of the Universal Design for Learning model. This allows equitable access for all learners to the content that is being delivered. The Lesson Builder site gave lots of options to help diverse learners go through the content being presented. Creating that course on the UDL site was very helpful to me in learning ways to adapt the existing content to help all students be able to be successful without having to change what was actually being taught. As a special education teacher, I know a good amount about accommodating and modifying curriculum to meet the different needs of my students. This project helped me to see how to do this within the realm of technology. I let my students go through the lesson that I created on the UDL lesson builder site. They loved it and liked finding the new tools that they could use to have things read to them or seeing graphic displays of the text information that was being provided (December, 2009). When I teach students who can not read or truly struggle with reading, I not only want to help them to read, but I also want to help them alleviate the frustration and defeat that they feel. Using a tool like this adds motivation for them as well as an element of fun. I shared this tool and my personal examples that I created on it with others on my staff. Everyone loved it, and several teachers asked me to help them create their own products. I was able to show them the site and how to use it, so that they could use it in their classrooms as well. On a self-contained special education campus, a tool like this one is something that we can use across the board. I would like to learn more about this site and gain more experience with it so that I can continue to use it in my classroom. I wonder why this is not used more and why more educators do not know about it. I have shared this with many of my colleagues, who have also used it in their classrooms. I was also able to share ideas for integrating use of iPods and SMART interactive boards within TEKS based lessons (November, 2009), incorporating videos from United Streaming into lessons aligned with the state standards (April, 2010), and preview an iPod touch application for collecting behavioral data on our behaviorally focused campus--Behavior Tracker Pro (January, 2010). These activities all help to take what we are already doing in the classroom and make it more engaging for our students or more seamless for our teachers. Creating a web quest on rocks and minerals and sharing that process with grade level teachers was also an activity related to this standard that helps our students and teachers (November, 2009). Most recently, I was able to work with another teacher trained in Quantum Learning to share with our staff how to integrate Quantum teaching techniques with technology tools to be more effective in the classroom, and compile a list of district-approved websites divided up by grade level and content area on our network's share drive for our teachers to use in their classes (September, 2010).

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader// //should know and be able to do//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.