Instructional Strategies

It is no longer feasible to rely solely on traditional lecture and textbook format when educating today’s students. Educating today’s students requires educators to provide students with an authentic and stimulating curriculum that has real world applications. In today’s technologically advanced world, it is imperative that students are given the appropriate tools in order for students to succeed in the high-tech society in which they live.
“Teachers have the awesome task of helping students lay a foundation of technological knowledge and skills that they will build upon for the rest of their lives” (Herndon, n.d., para.3). Teachers also need to do so in a manner that addresses the diverse learning styles of students (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). It is for this reason that educators need to use a variety of instructional strategies in the classroom.
By differentiating the instructional methods and implementing technology, students can meet the curricular objectives by using diverse skills unique to their learning style. For example, a visual learner can complete a report using PowerPoint, an auditory learner could use text to speech to complete a written report, and a kinesthetic learner could create a story board through various software programs. Overall, by ensuring that diversified instructional strategies are being used, educators are ensuring that they are meeting the needs of the diverse needs of their students.

Herndon, S. (n.d.). Technology vs. lecture in classroom guidance lessons. Retrieved from http://teach.valdosta.edu/are/vol1no2/PDF%20article%20manuscript/herndon.pdf

Introduction

This blog has been created as a requirement for my course, Learning in the Digital Age at Grand Canyon University. This is my final course before completing my Masters in Special Education. I look forward to learning how technology can be integrated in the classroom in order to provide students with an authentic and stimulating curriculum that has real world applications; however I am somewhat out of sorts. I have never blogged, and am having a difficult time writing in the first person (not APA format), sharing opinions, and not worrying about citations. So, bear with me as I reflect on what I am learning and have learned, throughout this course :o)