Miss Fletcher's Space

  Online learning platforms are a vital part of today’s education system. Now more than ever, students have access to helpful sources of technology that equip them to develop systems, conduct research, and submit assignments. In an article about Universal Design for Learning by James Basham, Sean Smith, and Allyson Satter, this increase in technology for classrooms is discussed in detail.  Unfortunately, there has not been a vast amount of research conducted on technology’s impact as a fully online K-12 learning experience. However, Universal Design for Learning itself is based on a lot of scientific research. In the study conducted in this specific article, the guidelines, rubrics, and guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning were evaluated closely. The results of this testing indicated that not only was the research successful, but additionally that it is vital for teachers to have better understanding of instructional design processes and Universal Design for...

  SUMMARY: Memory has a lot to do with a student's learning. There are many different forms of learning. Reconstructing memories, long-term memory, and working memory all have large impacts. As a student is going through educational processes, they are confronted with many things. Reconstructed memories occur when a student draws on their own previous experiences and sense of knowledge. Long-term memory develops over time. Working memory plays an important role in learning math and reading skills. When a student has low capacity for working memory, it shows up in their academic achievements; they tend to have lower achievements. Having a good understanding of how memory affects a student’s ability to glean and retain knowledge helps curriculum designers develop content that caters to specific learning patterns.

  PART ONE: Authentic Intellectual Work/Authentic Instruction & Assessment By nature, “authentic intellectual work involves original application of knowledge and skills, rather than just routine use of facts and procedures” (Newmann et al., 2007). In this form of intellectual work, teachers are more interested in the organic learning that is coming from their student rather than what the student is able to remember using rote memorization. When having a conversation with a student of mine this week, I asked him about the previous institution he attended. As a private school educator, I often enjoy asking students about their experiences at other private schools. For me, his answer was unexpected. He informed me that at his previous private school, he was required to memorize and list (verbally and written) multitudes of facts every week. This memorization served for grading and assessment purposes regarding whether he learned the material or not. After several years of this edu...