School Community Relations - Week 5

Dr. Jenkins facilitated the webcast for the beginning of Week 5.  Several students presented their community project ideas.  Some of these ideas included:

Program focused on new 9^th graders.
Watch Dogs
Volunteers to read and discuss books in elementary
Expansion of Dual Language Program
Reading Picnic

Science Night with the community

Dad and Daughter Activities

School Newspaper as an enrichment activity

Improvement of neighborhood school concept with activities in school zone

Long distance connection at a residential school

Many students expressed frustration with using TK20.  It was suggested and acknowledged that a chat would be set up with the TK20 folks. I have discovered that the TK20 support is good and they are quick to communicate.  My frustration is in knowing what to submit.

Week 3 EDLD 5326

I attended the Week 3 web cast with Dr. Abernathy.  The discussion was focused on the types of school community program projects the graduate students are pursuing. There were many different kinds of programs shared and we were able to offer alternate approaches for many. Dr. Abernathy continued to stress the importance of collaboration through the use of Web 2.0 tools.  I reminded the public school teachers about Texas Project Share and the collaborative forums, blogs and wikis available on the platform provided by TEA. 

There were several questions regarding the mid-term scheduled for Week 3.  Dr. Jenkins will be posting this information during week 3.

Week 2 Web Cast EDLD 5326

Week 2 Web Cast
EDLD 53626

Dr. Jenkins led the Webcast for Week 2 of School Community Relations.  Many students shared ideas about School Community activities they are considering. I was able to connect information about the DOGS (Dads of Great Students) with one student.  Dr. Jenkins also shared a book titled Bi-Cultural Parent Engagement that addresses advocacy and empowerment for the bi-lingual/cultural community.  I think this could be very helpful if I decide to pursue an initiative that involves improving communication with our bi-lingual community.

Information was also shared about taking the ILD training. I shared the following web address for information on all the ILD courses in Texas. http://www5.esc13.net/ild/trainings.html

EDLD 53626 Week 1 WebCast

WebCast 2/27/2012

EDLD 53626 (School Community Relations)

The opening webcast for EDLD 5326 (School Community Relations) was held on Feb. 27^th.  Dr. Abernathy facilitated the webcast with opening information regarding the course.  She assured us that she and Dr. Jenkins are available to assist with any issues.  We are all encouraged to use Web 2.0 tools to communicate and collaborate.
This is focused on assessing 2 community/volunteer initiatives in our local school community. We are to evaluate SWOT (strenghts, weaknesses, opportunity, threats) of the programs we have identified.

Graphic Design in Ancient Manuscripts-EDLD 5366 Week 1

Impressions of Ancient Manuscripts

My first impression of the Sultan Baybars' Qur'an is the opulence of the construction of the seven volumes of the Qur'an (Koran).  All of the lettering is done in gold, which was not customary. The pages show contrast with the gold print and repeating geometric shapes. The gold and colors in the shapes contract dramatically against the plain parchment page. Throughout the seven volumes is the repeating per shaped image which is used as a counting device to show 5^th and 10^th verses. Repetition also occurs at the beginning of each volume, with an illuminated double page that indicates the volume number and the placement within the set: fourth of seven volumes. Another repetitive design feature is the occurrence of only six lines per page.  This is in contrast other manuscripts of the period where an odd number of lines were used.  All of the pages appear to be set so the far left and right margins are wider placing the inner margins close together at the spine of the book. On each page the use of the pear shape and gold roundel help the reader know where the reading begins and ends. This Qur'an is an important example of period.  It was commissioned and written using the best calligraphers and illuminators (illustrators) available to the Mamlak ruler that commissioned the writing around 1304 AD.

Creating a UDL

UDL Reflection

The process of building a lesson plan using the UDL Framework provided a mechanism to really thin about all the learners that will facilitated with the plan. In the past I might have build a lesson plan for the generic population and then adapted it for the needs of individual students as the need arose. This philosophy requires the lesson designer to plan and prepare for all learners.  I definitely need more practice with adding the requirements for each of the networks.  It helped to think of the learning networks as referenced by Rose and Meyer:

·        Recognition Network – The what

·        Strategic Network  – The How

·        Affective Network – The Why

(Rose, 2002)

Including the technology components is especially important in the plan so that the teacher can assure that different tools and modalities are addressed.  Not all students are in the same place with the use of technology and planning ahead assures that not only are there concrete examples available but appropriate training is planned for all users including the teacher. Giving a teacher with little or no knowledge of a particular tool would be disastrous.

I like the tool and with a lot more practice will be able to quickly assemble the information needed to complete effective UDL's for a variety of core topics.

Rose, D. M. (2002). Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from Center for Applied Spcecial Technology: http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes

Web Conference 2/26

Thsi was the first conference for the Teaching with Technology course. About 45 people attended and it was hosted by Dr. Mason.  Questions concerning group activities were addressed.  I came away undestanding more about what needs to be done and feel confident that my group is on the right track. 

Each time I aparticipate in a conference I gain more realization about the impact of technology in all aspects of life today. I particiapted in a meeting with fellow students that were spread out over the state of Texas.  We each contributed to the learning for the day.