UDL Lesson Builder Reflection

I have finally completed the lesson plan from the UDL lesson builder site. I am not a classroom teacher; I am the Technology Director for a school district. With this said it was tough enough not being involved in curriculum. When I started on the lesson builder site I was a little confused and needed guidance. I concentrated on the sample lesson plans on the website. The site provided some good examples of lesson plans. I reviewed each and every lesson at least once or possibly twice. I then had a decent feel for the structure of the UDL lesson planning. I then focused on the recognition, strategic, and affective networks, which comprise the brain network for UDL learning. The concept map that was provided in Chapter 6 of the UDL site was very helpful. It helped me understand the different components that go under each network. In reading this chapter, it helped me focus on providing a lesson plan that will address the diverse set of learners. I have learned a lot about lesson plans and I still have so much to learn to be proficient. It is not a great lesson plan, but it is a starting point that I can continue to build on.

LFISD STaR Chart

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Technology Infrastructure Supporting Education

The Long-Range Plan for Technology (LRPT) addresses four areas for integrating technology into the school system. The four key areas are: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration, Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. Infrastructure for Technology is an important area that contributes greatly to the future of education.

The area of Infrastructure for Technology addresses several key areas. The key areas are Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN), distance learning capacity, Internet access, students to computer ratio, classroom technology, and technical support. The technology infrastructure is a vital component which is necessary for the basic and necessary needs of education for the present and future that will allow for students and teachers to make use of technology tools.

The E-Rate program has provided significant assistance in Districts creating great educational technology infrastructures. To receive monies from this program schools need a local committee to create a technology plan that effectively addresses the four areas of the LRPT. The plan is reviewed at the local level and submitted for a peer review at the regional level and approved by the state. With an approved plan a school can apply for discounts for Internet, LAN/WAN, servers for infrastructure, and network equipment.

The discounts received from the federal government, under E-Rate program has provided much needed support to increase District technology infrastructures. T-1 connections, low-end servers and network equipment, and separate networks for each school used to be the norm. With assistance from the program, Districts that qualify can now implement a robust and scalable infrastructure such as high speed fiber connections, enterprise level equipment, and integrated LAN/WAN connections.

The trend for connectivity has seen changes from the separate networks for voice, video, and data. Data convergence allows for all three to traverse the same network. Implementation is occurring at local, regional, state and national levels allowing communication, collaboration staff development, and online learning. This technology is now saving monies on telecommunication, cabling, support, and equipment.

Monies from local, state, and federal government are available to support new technologies. It is important that district administrators and committees continue to evaluate and support existing and new initiatives to create a technology infrastructure for improved education. With this in mind we need to assure that the infrastructure is available 24/7. With these components we can assure that the Infrastructure for Technology area from the LRPT will meet the needs of instruction and technology integration.