Category: Peer Response Posts

Peer Response #1- Elena M

Great work this module Elena! I really enjoyed your blog post! Before reading your post this module, I was not aware of Katie Novak’s book titled ‘UDL Now’. I took a quick look online at the book and it seems like a very in-depth resource for applying UDL in the classroom. Being that I am currently completing a practicum in an elementary school, I believe that this book could be an effective resource to turn too as I find ways to add equity and inclusion.

I think you did a great job discussing accessibility in classroom settings. You highlighted some great approaches to creating equitable access to digital resources such as close captioning, text to speech, recorded lectures and customizing settings. I think expanding past that, some other ways we can do this is to offer alternative options for engagement and using affordable or accessible resources. Accessibility can be improved by offering students multiple means of engagement such as course materials in the format of PDF’s, word documents and google docs. Another way to increase accessibility is to use affordable platforms or resources offered through the institution. Many school districts and universities offer accounts for platforms such as Office 365 or Adobe.

Peer Response #2- MY

Hi My! Great work on your blog post for Module 3. I think you made a really great point regarding the importance of diversity when creating instructional methods. Offering students the ability to engage with the material in numerous ways and showcasing their learning through varying means of assessment gives all students the ability to learn and accurately demonstrate their learning. You outlined some efficacious ways to foster inclusion in face to face classrooms such as visual aids and assistive technologies. I think some other ways to promote equity in face-to-face classrooms could be providing students opportunities for feedback and reflection. This could be by doing Kahoots, Google forms or IClicker so the students can recieve immediate feedback. Another, it to create personal reflection opportunities such as journaling so they can assess their own understandings.

Ethics is a hugely essential component when interacting and learning in online environments. I think you outlined a few great ways that universities can support ethical behavior such as implementing data protection policies, but I think that individuals can maintain ethics on their own accord. Individuals should be mindful to respect other people’s data ownership, be kind and respectful to others, maintain their digital footprint and ensure they are citing sources accurately to act ethically when online.

Fantastic job this module! I look forward to reading your blog posts in the future!

Peer Response #3- Ishan Jassal

Hello Ishan, awesome job on your blog post! I really enjoyed reading it. As a student who utilizes Brightspace everyday, I am inclined to agree with you that there are ways that it can be improved to better align with UDL principles. For example, I find it frustrating that I am unable to access the website when I do not have my phone due to needing the Duo Mobile App. I think this can make it inaccessible for lots of students who are relying on public computers to use Brightspace as they may not have access to their Duo Mobile to sign in.

I think you did an amazing job outlining the importance of accessibility in online course’s and settings. I believe that you outlined some effective ways to enhance accessibility in online spaces such as user friendly design, captioning, accommodation tools and immersive reading. Expanding past that, when talking inclusivity and accessibility I think it is essential to discuss the digital divide. The digital divide is the gap that lies between people who have access to reliable internet and technology and those who do not. Some ways we can work to reduce the digital divide is to use affordable or institution offered platforms and create a list of suggestions for places with high speed internet.

Great work this week!

Peer Response #1- Gaia Iturralde

Hello Gaia! I appreciated reading your post this module on networked pedagogy, learning theories and instructor’s roles. I greatly appreciate how fluid and concise the post is to read! It is easy to pick out the key details, making it accessible to lots of readers.

I think you did a great job explaining networked pedagogy. It is truly amazing how efficaciously networked pedagogy can reduce barriers associated with time and location. So many learners have barriers that block their ability to learn such as familial obligation, work, geographical location and time constraints.

It is essential to recognize the pivotal role that instructors play in the success of their learners. Similar to you, I believe that instructors need to be easy to reach, helpful and supportive. Beyond that, I think they need to be clear, patient and technologically skilled. Students are relying on their teacher’s ability to be patient and helpful as they navigate potentially new waters when completing online coursework. When asked to think of characteristics that make a great instructor, that leads me to think of different traits that instructors should not have as they teach online. I think a poor online teacher is someone who is unorganized and has an unstructured course. A lot of online learning relies on the instructor’s ability to make a course legible and easy to navigate without the need for constant reassurance or clarification.

Great work this week! I look forward to reading your posts in the future!

Peer Response #2- Justin Scott

Hello Justin! I have enjoyed reading your unique perspective in your blog post this week! Each person has a distinct preference for the teaching practices and pedagogy used in their schooling. I agree with you, and also find that my preference changes depending on the type of coursework I am engaging in. When the course is theoretical, I find that I prefer the opportunity to explore and learn on my own. Dissimilarly, when the course is scientific, math based, or structured, I prefer a direct lecture style where the professor is lecturing the material at us. These differences in preference highlight how important it is that instructors offer numerous modes of instruction and engagement to ensure all students have the opportunity to engage with the material in a fashion that aligns with them.

I appreciate your thorough explanation of the learning theories. In specific, your description of the constructivist approach stood out to me. Being that the constructivist approach places emphasis on active learning, I believe it can be applied beautifully to online courses. Effective online courses offer flexability in learning and assessment, aligning well with principles of constructivism. I think some ways to apply constructivism in the classroom is to utilize discussion forums and alternative assessment options such as podcasts or videos.

Great work this week!