Erin Dudley

ISTC 301-005
Final Exam
Learners of today are different from previous learners; they are more technologically
literate as they are part of a very technologically advanced society. Due to the increase of
involvement with technology, educators are required to incorporate technology into their
classrooms in order to enhance the learning of their students. Implementing technological
materials into the classroom environment is a step educators can take to meet the academic needs
of their students. Technology should be greatly integrated further into the classroom to enhance
learning for students of all learning styles with the goal and purpose in mind of preparing
students for their role in society in all aspects of life. An educator, the facilitator in the
classroom, should implement technological materials in a variety of ways and technology
opportunities to meet the needs of all individual students.
This is the belief I had going into this ISTC course, and throughout the semester, my
belief has not changed. Rather, it has been enhanced and reinforced. At the beginning of the
course, I was knowledgeable about the influence of technology in todays society and in
education. This knowledge led me to the belief in the implementation of technology in the
classroom. Through the assignments in this course, I have gained insight about the Universal
Design for Learning (UDL), the theory of Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge
(TPACK), and Assistive technology. These theories and their practices have reinforced my
concepts of technology and their importance in education.

The Universal Design for Learning has perhaps been the most influential content to my
personal philosophy of the use of technology in teaching and learning. These guidelines for
lesson planning started out as a strategies for educators to meet the needs of special needs
students. Over time it has extended to strategies to meet the individual needs of all students.
Diversity in the classroom is a topic discussed commonly amongst educators. Diversity includes
personal characteristics, as well as abilities. Meeting the needs of all students can be difficult task
when the needs vary immensely. As a future educator, I want to be able to meet the needs of all
of my students to help them achieve and reach their full potential. It is a concern of mine that I
will be unable to help all of my students. The Universal Design for Learning is a plan that I can
use in my own classroom to do the best that I can as an educator for my students. The Universal
Design for Learning is also important to me because it is can work effectively alongside the
Common Core Standards. Throughout the course, we were provided opportunities to practice
using the standards to implement the Universal Design for Learning into a lesson plan. Together,
UDL and the standards facilitate learning for the whole child. They hope that the children
become not just learners of material, but masters of material. Because these are aspirations of
mine as an educator, this content was the most influential to my learning.
It is common among many educators to not implement technology in the classroom. This
can be caused be an uncomfortable inability to utilize the progressing technology in our society.
Other educators implement technology due to the pressure of schools and administration,
however, they implement it in a way that is not effective. Both types of educators cause a
hindrance on their students learning. It is important for technology to be implemented, but it
must be used effectively for it to be beneficial to students and their learning. This course has
provided me with insights on how technology can be incorporated effectively and appropriately.

As with everything used in the classroom, the technology incorporated must be developmentally
appropriate. As we have discussed in class, it is important to consider the age, grade level, and
abilities of the students when planning technology use in a lesson. What is appropriate
technology use for high school students, is not what would be appropriate use for first grade
students. Technology can be damaging if it is not used effectively and I have learned through this
course ways that technology can be appropriate and effective.
My belief as a student and educator about the use in technology has been reinforced
through this course. I have learned about guidelines and standards that are helpful to me in
meeting the diverse needs of my students. I have also gained knowledge in how to effectively use
technology in my future classroom that is developmentally appropriate. The assignments we
completed were opportunities for me to expand my knowledge, as well as apply it to meaningful
practices in the classroom.