Week 5

 Summary of Article:

        This week I read the article "Universal Design for Learning: Scanning for Alignment in K-12 Blended and Fully Online Learning Materials" by James D. Basham, Sean J. Smith, and Allyson L. Satter.  In this article, the authors look at a variety of online tools and rated them for learner accessibility.  To do this, the authors created a UDL Scan tool.  This tool reviewed instructional materials systems for their ability to be accessible.  

        The authors concluded that because students are spending more instructional time than ever on online tools, we need to make sure that these tools are following UDL principles and are accessible for all students.  If an online tool isn't accessible, it can not accurately monitor student learning or growth.  Furthermore, the student would not be able to show all that they know because they are restricted by the lack of accessibility of the program.  The authors express the importance of ensuring that educators and creators have high standards and expectations for online technology tools.

Connections between Article and Lesson Plan:

        There are several connections between the article and the lesson plan that I have created.  In my lesson plan, 5th grade students will be creating a final project of their choice to display what they have learned this year in regards to internet safety.  The students have a variety of online tools to choose from (Google Suites, Canva, Flip, etc.).  Using these tools, they can create a poster, a newspaper article, a podcast, a skit, a comic strip, or whatever they want as long as it relates to internet safety or being a good digital citizen.  By giving students a variety of online platforms to use, they can pick which they prefer and what works best for them.  When students are able to pick how they want to display their knowledge, they are more engaged and take more ownership of the project.  One of the UDL check points was "Illustrate through multiple media" and I think this fits that description very well.

Integrating CAST strategies into Lesson Plan:

        Two strategies that I am using are from the Engagement portion of UDL.  Guideline 7.1 says to "optimize individual choice and autonomy."  My lesson meets this strategy because students get to pick how the present the information.  By picking how they present the information they are offered choice and can develop autonomy over the project.  As stated above, when students have autonomy over a project, they are more engaged and produce a higher quality of work.  Guideline 8.3 states "foster collaboration and community."  My lesson meets this strategy because students get the option to work in pairs if they work like.  This allows them to practice their collaboration skills.  At the end of the project, students will get to present their creation.  This allows them to build community.