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Showing posts from August, 2022

101. The Transformative Power of AI

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Folks, let’s face it. Our classrooms are going to look a little different this year. AI, specifically ChatGPT, is going to change the way we design learning experiences and assess student mastery. I’ll be honest, when I first explored the ChatGPT platform I was terrified. As I have dug deeper into the technology and its capabilities, I realized that while it does pose significant challenges — it also presents us with some pretty amazing opportunities. In this series, we will explore what AI is capable of, its implications in the classroom, and how it can benefit both teachers and students. Let’s start by examining where we have been, where we are currently, and looking forward to where we are going. Whether this is a trip you wanted to go on or not, the AI train has left the station and it is time for all of us to jump on board. From Card Catalogs to Artificial Intelligence I belong to the micro-generation called Xennial. Xennials are considered to be a “bridge” between Generation X a...
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#79 Student Well-Being: UDL & Blended Learning

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This is PART 9 in a series on student well-being. Throughout this series, I will explore what recent research has revealed about ways to create an environment in which all students can thrive. In my last post , I provided an overview of the Universal Design in Learning (UDL) framework. The goal of UDL is to design “barrier-free, instructionally rich learning environments and lessons that provide access to all students” (Nelson, 2). The UDL framework helps educators think about and design learning experiences that allow ALL STUDENTS to be successful through the utilization of representation, action & expression, and engagement. It is based in the following beliefs: All students can reach the high expectations we set. Barriers to success exist in the system, not the student. Continual self-reflection leads to lifelong, expert learners. Learner variability is the norm, not the exception  (Schwartz, 2022) UDL Meets Blended Learning Teachers often feel a tension between the amount ...
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#78 Student Well-Being: Universal Design for Learning

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This is PART 8 in a series on student well-being. Throughout this series, I will explore what recent research has revealed about ways to create an environment in which all students can thrive. I began my blended learning journey during the 2018-2019 school year. Since then my journey has carried me down many different paths and to many different places. During my journey, I have learned about more than just blended learning. I have learned about student motivation and self-paced instruction. I have learned about culturally responsive teaching and SEL. Most recently, I have learned about how the principles of universal design can help me build an accessible learning environment for all students. I am excited to share what I learned about accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity through the lens of universal design and blended learning. This 2 part miniseries is designed to answer the following questions: 1. What is Universal Design (UD)? 2. How can the principles of UD be applied to t...
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