WEEK 6 - Celebrating Diversity

This week was particularly interesting as we explored the various ways learners grasp knowledge and construct their own understanding and meaning. We grappled with the major theories of learning and appreciated the different aspects of each theory. Each theory had a different outlook on how humans learn and the related task to this was to think of a important factor if one was to theorise online learning.

The rest of the week was spend at looking at UDL - Universal Design for learning.

Key Points

A.) As outlined in the diagram there are many theories of learning but the important thing is these theories allow us to question our own beliefs and show us the best instructional practices based on these theories. Some of the important factors gathered from the discussion forum on theorising online learning included factors such as learning style preferences, motivation, instructional strategies  and having student centred learning

B.) With regards to UDL (Universal Design for learning) the take home message for me was that this way of thinking allows us to meet the challenge of diversity by offering flexible instructional materials, techniques and strategies that teachers can use to meet the needs of a diverse classroom. A universally designed curriculum from the outset is designed to the meet the needs of the greatest number of users which is time and cost saving. It is premised on the 3 principles: -

1. Provide Multiple Means of Representation
2. Provide Multiple Means of  Action and Expression
3. Provide Multiple Means of Engagement 

 

Resources

• I found this website useful as it outlines the 5 instructional strategies that could be used to engage students with very different learning styles. It also includes some examples of each strategy.

http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/

• An excellent resource site with a free online collection of rich media presentations that help educators to build UDL understanding, implementation skills, and leadership ability. The PAL Toolkit provides specific planning steps, guidance, mentoring, model lessons, tools, templates, resources, and links to other educators using the PAL Model.

http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl

• Another fantastic site which has many training packages for educators to develop their skills to integrate technology into best practice instructional strategies.

http://www.21things4teachers.net/index.html

Reflection

This week I read and re-read all the learning theories and tried to question my own beliefs about how I thought my students learn in the classroom. I felt all the theories had some merit and started thinking about my institutions educational practices and how much were they based on these theoretical understanding of learning or whether they were based on some philosophical beliefs ingrained into the history of the institution. I felt these philosophical beliefs influenced the culture of the classrooms and vice versa. With 3 competing universities in Suva catering for a small population, the pressure to create cost effective one size fits all curriculum design is rife.

I personally think that all the learning theories have some element of truth but none of theories completely answer this question of human learning. So I set about thinking if I were to theorise online learning what would be the most important factor that I would consider. I have thought long and hard about this and the factor that I thought was most important is the instructional strategies a teacher uses to create an optimum learning environment. Because learners have different learning styles or a combination of styles, online educators should design activities that address their modes of learning in order to provide significant experiences for each student.
 

I found UDL to be very useful and interesting and every time I go to the site I discover something new. Since most of my students are of very diverse backgrounds and I know from experience that have very short attention spans the options that are available through UDL provide multiple means of engagements, autonomy and development of learners. UDL is particularly useful for the classrooms in the pacific.