Technology & Learning Connections

Environment

 

The environment is where the instruction takes place. Variables in the environment include classroom expectations, beliefs/attitudes, peers, school culture, facilities, class size, attendance/tardiness, management.

 

Ideas for Universal Design

 

Ensure that the rules, attitudes, and rituals of the school include respect for the diversity within the student population. Provide schedule and routine guides in different media, formats, and languages. Prepare to adjust schedules to accommodate changes (e.g. students, instructional units, teacher). Provide rules and guidelines in different media, formats, and languages. Model and practice expected behaviors for students who need this level of support. Use flexible instructional schedules and routines to help students re-engage after being absent. Use peer learning groups to provide support for students after being absent. Provide students tools to self-monitor feelings, attitudes, and behaviors.

 

School culture

The culture of a school includes the beliefs, rituals, attitudes, written and unwritten rules that influence and shape the school itself.

 

• School culture - http://edglossary.org/school-culture/
• 5 signs of a positive school culture - https://www.noodle.com/articles/5-signs-of-a-positive-school-culture

 

Options for Flexibility – Schools that “believe” in flexibility will provide options for students and help students learn to support each other. Make sure the rituals, attitudes, and rules reflect an understanding of the diversity of the student population.

 

Daily schedules and routines

“Schedules” refer to the plan for the events of a day at school and “routines” are the predictable and repeated activities that help the schedule run smoothly. Good schedules and routines help students feel comfortable with the changes in the day and transition from one activity to another.

 

• School schedule templates - https://www.template.net/business/schedule-templates/school-schedule-template/
• Flexible scheduling for in-class supports - https://www.palmbeachschools.org/ese/wp-content/uploads/sites/62/2016/04/FlexibleSchedulingforInclusivePractices.pdf
• Rules, routines, schedules - http://pbiscompendium.ssd.k12.mo.us/rules-routines-schedules

 

Options for Flexibility – Provide schedule and routine guides in different media, formats, and languages. Prepare to adjust schedules to accommodate changes (e.g. students, instructional units, teacher).

 

Behavioral rules/guidelines and expectations

Good behavioral rules and guidelines are clear, easy to understand, and lead to increased learning in the classroom.

 

• Classroom management - http://www.teachhub.com/classroom-management-developing-clear-rules-expectations
• Establishing clearly defined parameters of acceptable classroom behaviors - http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/105124/chapters/Establishing-Clearly-Defined-Parameters-of-Acceptable-Classroom-Behaviors.aspx

 

Options for Flexibility – Provide rules and guidelines in different media, formats, and languages. Model and practice expected behaviors for students who need this level of support.

 

Attendance

Consistent school attendance is a crucial factor contributing to student success. Lost learning time in all grades leads to low math and reading skills.

 

• PreK-12 Newsletter: Absenteeism - http://www.floridarti.usf.edu/resources/newsletters/pk12/2016/pk12newsletter3.pdf
• Chronic absenteeism can devastate K-12 learning - http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/10/08/07chang.h34.html
• Six causes – and solutions – for chronic absenteeism - https://www.naesp.org/communicator-september-2016/six-causes-and-solutions-chronic-absenteeism

 

Options for Flexibility – Use flexible instructional schedules and routines to help students re-engage after being absent. Use peer learning groups to provide additional support for students after being absent.

 

Class size

The size of a class can make a difference in learning, but the amount of difference can vary depending on the grade level and other factors.

 

• Why class size matters today - http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/why-class-size-matters
• Does class size really matter? - https://www.districtadministration.com/article/does-class-size-really-matter

 

Options for Flexibility – Use small group instruction and project-based learning activities to provide students in large classrooms focused instructional time in small groups.

 

Arrangement of the classroom

The physical arrangement of a classroom can affect many things, including managing a classroom, student morale, engagement, student learning, and student behavior.

 

• Classroom arrangement - http://www.readingrockets.org/article/classroom-arrangement
• The importance of classroom structure - https://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/443/The-Importance-of-Classroom-Structure.aspx

 

Options for Flexibility – Arrange different parts of the classroom to emphasize learning goals, such as learning centers, peer learning areas, project areas, and large group instruction.

 

Types of furniture and equipment

The types of furniture and equipment in a classroom can increase or inhibit student choice, active participation, and engagement. The furniture can also increase or inhibit the instructional strategies a teacher is able to use in a classroom.

 

• Can classroom furniture improve student engagement? - http://www.gettingsmart.com/2015/01/can-classroom-furniture-improve-student-engagement/
• Flexible classrooms - https://www.edutopia.org/practice/flexible-classrooms-providing-learning-environment-kids-need

 

Options for Flexibility - Use furniture that can be quickly set up in different arrangements to facilitate movement from large group instruction to small group instruction to project-based instruction.

 

Academic choice

Classrooms that provide students with resources and options in how to reach learning goals give those students’ academic choice. The fewer the resources available, the fewer opportunities for students to choose how to engage in the instruction.

 

• Academic choice - https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/academic-choice/
• How can I use academic choices to help students stay motivated? - https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/how-can-i-use-academic-choices-to-help-students-stay-motivated/

 

Options for Flexibility – Academic choice aligns great with universal design for learning principles; giving students options for engagement, representation, and expression.

 

Peer learning

Peer learning is a learning strategy where students interact with each other, teaching and learning from each other, to obtain their educational and behavioral goals.

 

• Why should I do peer-to-peer learning? - https://www.techsmith.com/edu-k12-peer-to-peer.html
• Using peer learning in the classroom - https://tlc.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2010/12/HowToPeerLearning_Final.pdf
• Ask three before me - http://olms.cte.jhu.edu/olms2/data/ck/sites/273/files/18047_PT_CoopLearnHB%2025.pdf

 

Options for Flexibility – Provide diverse types of student grouping, depending on the learning goals. Provide options for the intent of the small groups: casual groups, cooperative groups, and teams.