A Dance with the Butterflies: A Metamorphosis of Teaching and Learning Through Technology

• Published in: Early childhood education journal 2009-12, Vol.37 (3), p.229-236
• Main Author: McPherson, Sarah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access to Education; Butterflies & moths; Curriculum Design; Early childhood education; Education; Educational Technology; Electronic Publishing; Grade 1; Grade 2; Language Acquisition; Learning and Instruction; Learning Processes; Learning Theories; Reading Skills; Science Curriculum; Science Education; Sociology; Sociology of Education; Teachers; Teaching methods; Web Based Instruction; Web Sites; Young Children
• ISSN: 1082-3301; 1573-1707
• DOI: 10.1007/s10643-009-0338-8

This paper describes a web-based collaborative project called A Dance with the Butterflies that applied the brain-based research of the Center for Applied Special Technologies (CAST) and principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to Pre-K-4 science curriculum. Learning experiences were designed for students to invoke the Recognition, Strategic, and Affective neural networks for learning identified in the CAST research. Instruction was based on the Science Education content standard that all students should develop an understanding of the characteristics, life cycles, and environments of living organisms. Teachers designed interdisciplinary projects for students with the metamorphosis of the butterfly as the theme the unit. Participants from nine states and four countries learned about UDL to transform teaching and to collaborate through a blog that supported their learning. They shared new technology applications for use in their projects. The learning that occurred and the excitement to use technology for learning clearly demonstrate the power of the UDL framework for increasing engagement and understanding by all learners.