Instructional Development outcome like a movie?

Instructional Development is all about taking various elements within the same subject and bringing it together for the purpose of learning. I like to compare it to a good movie. A good movie usually has a solid plot, excitement throughout, somethings revealed that you did not know in the beginning and a acceptable ending that will either have you content or give you that thirst to find out more about the movie. This is the same with Instructional develpment. There are so many things integrated that needs to get the job done. Here is my Final Project for my Selection and Integration class that taps into my learning experience. Click here

Universal Design for Learning: A Variety

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Everyone has individual ways of learning which sometimes make it difficult for teachers to conform to the way a student learns. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) tries to meet the needs of every student individually by having techniques and tools available to feed the need of how students learn. Universal Design for Learning widens the door of opportunity for educating students regardless of their challenges or needs. Click here to view some applications that can assist you in providing and developing more opportunities to your students and to also build a better UDL-based learning environment.

Cybercitizenry: Ignorance is NOT Bliss

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Some say, "Ignorance is bliss" but not when it comes to CyberCitizenry. Cybercitizenry denotes a "citizen of the Internet" or a member of the "cybercommunity." Once you have an online presence, you cannot take it back. Many people do not know this and when someone does not know they have to get taught the do's and dont's of online behaviors and actions. This has to be a group effort when it pertains to students. CommonSenseMedia.org has designed many curriculums that talk about Online Safety, Cyberbullying,etc. This is an awesome website to use when wanting to educate yourself and others about online behavior. In our class, we had to create an instructional program that pertains to Cybercitizenry.  Click here to see my instructional program.

Creating a 21st Century Classroom

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Being that I do not have my own class to teach yet and investigate whether it fits in the 21st century classroom. I did the walkthrough on a class that I am taking now and the results weren't bad in terms of the checklist. I learned that there are many adjustments that instructors need to make to fit this checklist. Some are open to it but others are kind of stubborn in their ways. At the end of the day, Instructors/Teachers need to realize that this is how students are learning nowadays and the focus is the engagment of the student, not their comfort level. This checklist had may points that most people wouldn't think of implementing in their lessons and/or courses. Click here to view my MNW Walkthrough Form. Let's try "NOT" to make Benjamin Franklin feel right at home.

Integrating Digital Technology

I am big into technology. Some may say I am a nerd when it comes to it. In Education there are so many tools that can be added into the classroom that will interest the students and keep them engaged. Thus forcing them to become self-learners.

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My assignment in my Selection and Integrations class was to find 5 instances of Integrating Technology within my field of interest and to identify which cell in the Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) it relates or lands under then taking 3 of the 5 up a notch.
Click Here to view my 5 Instances of Intergrating Technology


Feel free to make comments if you like!!

The danger of the single story

Chimamanda Adichie talks about the danger of a single story. This was very interesting to hear how one story can shape a person's thoughts and opinions about a person, place or thing (yes, a noun!! lol). A single story is like looking at a work of art in just one angle and not changing then developing your thoughts and opinions off of just that one angle not trying to learn more about it. This is how stereotypes can develop and just false ideas about a people or a culture. I like the way Adichie makes you think in terms of a single story that you have developed through your own experiences. How ignorant we may be to a certain culture or race. This is a thought-provoking idea that should allow us to look into ourselves and become more open-minded when it comes to people or places. Check this video out and see what  I'm talking about.