For those new to twitter, and who are still asking the question, "why should I use Twitter?" read what Howard Rheingold writes in his article, Twitter Literacy.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Why Twitter?
For those new to twitter, and who are still asking the question, "why should I use Twitter?" read what Howard Rheingold writes in his article, Twitter Literacy.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
What I Learned on Twitter This Morning
In the span of one hour, I learned:
- Back to School Intro to Social Media via @web20classroom (Steven Anderson)
- Useful Technologies for Dyslexics via @dystalk (Josh Pull). Found this especially helpful as it explored issues that are frequently overlooked.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Hidden Curriculum: Don't Take it for Granted
You've heard a great deal about the social studies or the science or the math or language arts curriculum. But, are you familiar with the term, "hidden curriculum?" These are the unwritten or implicit rules we were never taught but just seem to know.
The stress of the "first day of school" attire is one example of the hidden curriculum. (Do you remember it?) It's so important to be seen as wearing what everyone else is wearing and not stand out in any way, at least initially.
Students with disabilities are often "left in the dark" when it comes to an understanding of the hidden culture within the school. I will never forget the graduating senior girl with whom I worked many years ago. It was the tradition for seniors to wear the same shirt on class day, a shirt that was purchased prior to the actual day. This student was unaware of the tradition and was the only one to attend class day not wearing the shirt. I saw her later that day and she relayed the story with sadness and humiliation. Why did she not know? How was she left out? Who's responsibility was it to ensure that all students were aware of the tradition (hidden curriculum)?
It's important to understand that the hidden curriculum is unique at every school. Do you and your colleagues acknowledge the presence of the hidden curriculum? How are you addressing this unwritten reality to meet the needs of all the learners in your classrooms?
Unfortunately, students with special needs are often ostracized as a result of their lack of insight into the hidden curriculum present at their school. The Autism Network addresses the unique challenges students on the autism spectrum experience:
To learn more, check out these additional resources:
Council for Exceptional Children: The Hidden Curriculum - Unwritten Rules That Students with Disabilities Often Miss
Last One Picked, First One Picked On: Learning Disabilities and Social Skills DVD by Rick Lavoie (get it from your library)
The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations by Brenda Miles, et al
The stress of the "first day of school" attire is one example of the hidden curriculum. (Do you remember it?) It's so important to be seen as wearing what everyone else is wearing and not stand out in any way, at least initially.
Students with disabilities are often "left in the dark" when it comes to an understanding of the hidden culture within the school. I will never forget the graduating senior girl with whom I worked many years ago. It was the tradition for seniors to wear the same shirt on class day, a shirt that was purchased prior to the actual day. This student was unaware of the tradition and was the only one to attend class day not wearing the shirt. I saw her later that day and she relayed the story with sadness and humiliation. Why did she not know? How was she left out? Who's responsibility was it to ensure that all students were aware of the tradition (hidden curriculum)?
It's important to understand that the hidden curriculum is unique at every school. Do you and your colleagues acknowledge the presence of the hidden curriculum? How are you addressing this unwritten reality to meet the needs of all the learners in your classrooms?
Unfortunately, students with special needs are often ostracized as a result of their lack of insight into the hidden curriculum present at their school. The Autism Network addresses the unique challenges students on the autism spectrum experience:
Individuals who have ASD do not come equipped with the same ability to understand the hidden curriculum. As a result, they break a lot of social and behavioral rules without intent or even knowledge that they are doing so. This coupled with their difficulty in generalizing information from one situation to another leads them to making the same mistakes over and over again at a tremendous social cost.Rick Lavoie addresses the topic in his book, It's so Much Work to be Your Friend, Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success.
“The Hidden Curriculum … consists of the unwritten, unspoken rules of school … its culture that includes shared norms, values, beliefs, traditions, rituals, and customs …In fact, success in the standard curriculum is often secondary to success in the Hidden Curriculum." (p. 253-255). “It is critically important that we teach the Hidden Curriculum to socially incompetent children with the same commitment and planning that we present the standard curriculum.” (p. 256).How much do you know about the hidden curriculum and social success? Thanks to a recent post by Kate Ahearn at the Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs blog, I recently became aware of a resource, The 2010 One a Day Hidden Curriculum Calendar for Older Adolescents and Adults for those of you working with high school students. There's also a version for younger students, The 2010 Hidden Curriculum One a Day Calendar for Kids: Items for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations. They retail for about $16 each or both for $22.
To learn more, check out these additional resources:
Council for Exceptional Children: The Hidden Curriculum - Unwritten Rules That Students with Disabilities Often Miss
Last One Picked, First One Picked On: Learning Disabilities and Social Skills DVD by Rick Lavoie (get it from your library)
The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations by Brenda Miles, et al
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Recognizing Excellence - Cast UDL Spotlight
Note: This is timely considering my last post.
Great news to share!
Two incredible educators, Lisa Parisi and Christine Southard have been selected for recognition for their exemplary work at the Denton Avenue Elementary School in New Hyde, NY. Read about their extraordinary co-teaching model at the CAST UDL Spotlight site. (Full disclosure - I nominated them and am thrilled to see that CAST believed they are worthy of recognition as well).
What is UDL Spotlight?
It is essential to highlight quality teaching that seamlessly incorporates UDL principles and leads to success for all students. The August UDL Spotlight celebrates UDL and Co-Teaching. Check out the multimedia site to learn about Lisa and Christine's classroom practices which align with UDL principles. Well-deserved congratulations, Lisa and Christine. Let's replicate your model throughout the world!Educators around the world are applying key aspects of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in highly innovative ways. CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) is pleased to feature these examples of UDL features in teacher practice, in applications of technology, courses, tools and web sites to support teaching and learning. In each Spotlight, we highlight segments of the UDL Guidelines that are met by any implementation. We hope these exciting ideas will spark even more UDL innovation and serve as a forum for all of us to share best practices.
Each featured Spotlight illustrates some of the CAST UDL Guidelines. Taken as a group, the Spotlights build a vision for a future of learning environments that are truly universal.
Do you know of any educators deserving of recognition in your district? Nominations are always welcome at the UDL Spotlight site.
Image - http://eastbaycollegefund.org/gallery/d/371-1/spotlight.jpg
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
UDL - The Great Unknown?
When you discover something that is personally tranformative, you share it with others; it's too difficult to keep it to yourself. And because I repeatedly observe teachers struggling with the challenge of how to reach all the learners in their classrooms, I am on a mission.
I will do whatever it takes to teach others about UDL, or Universal Design for Learning because I believe UDL transforms teaching practices and makes learning possible for struggling learners. I can not keep this to myself.
Recently, I had the opportunity to share about UDL at both NECC in DC, at the interactive UDL Playground and at EdubloggerCon East at BLC09 in Boston. I'm continually mystified by the reality that so few educators have heard about UDL and even fewer are applying the principles of offering multiple methods of engagement, presentation and expression to tap into students' affective, recognition and strategic networks to reach all learners. The connection between new media technology tools and UDL makes it easier than ever to provide multiple methods of engagement, presentation and expression. Incorporating a UDL framework makes reaching all learners possible.
What is UDL?
Any ideas?
To learn more about UDL, check out these resources:
CAST/Teaching Every Student
UDL Guidelines
UDL Online Classroom Tools
National Universal Design for Learning Task Force
I will do whatever it takes to teach others about UDL, or Universal Design for Learning because I believe UDL transforms teaching practices and makes learning possible for struggling learners. I can not keep this to myself.
Recently, I had the opportunity to share about UDL at both NECC in DC, at the interactive UDL Playground and at EdubloggerCon East at BLC09 in Boston. I'm continually mystified by the reality that so few educators have heard about UDL and even fewer are applying the principles of offering multiple methods of engagement, presentation and expression to tap into students' affective, recognition and strategic networks to reach all learners. The connection between new media technology tools and UDL makes it easier than ever to provide multiple methods of engagement, presentation and expression. Incorporating a UDL framework makes reaching all learners possible.
What is UDL?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for designing curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. UDL provides rich supports for learning and reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all. (from the cast.org site)It seems as though everyone has heard about Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory or about Differentiated Instruction and even about Understanding by Design. So, why do Universal Design for Learning principles remain the great unknown? Don't we want to ensure we are reaching all our students? What can be done to help educators understand and explore the principles further and then apply the concepts that will support and reach all the learners in their classrooms? How do we get the word out?
Any ideas?
To learn more about UDL, check out these resources:
CAST/Teaching Every Student
UDL Guidelines
UDL Online Classroom Tools
National Universal Design for Learning Task Force
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