Assessing Technology-Based Resources for Differentiation

 

Assessing Technology-Based Resources for Differentiation

    There are many challenges for teachers today. But, one of the most difficult challenges is reaching the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. In order for teachers to reach ALL students, teachers must first begin where students are academically, which means recognizing individual differences. Therefore, differentiated instruction with the use of technology offers the opportunity for teachers to engage students in different modalities, while also varying the rate of instruction, complexity levels, and teaching strategies to engage and challenge students (Stanford, Crowe, & Flice, 2010). Differentiated instruction also allows teachers to begin to think and work “smarter” and more efficiently rather than trying to work harder to meet the needs of such a diverse student population. And there are many technologies that can be used to appropriately support differentiated instruction and enrich student learning styles. Some of which include:

1. IXL is a targeted learning tool and it generates personalized guidance for each learner. These personalized plans link students to the skills that will help them build on their knowledge and remediate gaps in understanding.

2. Storyboard That is a browser-based storyboard creator that students can use to retell a story. They can use both words and/or pictures. And teachers can use it to create timelines, storyboards, graphic organizers, t-charts, grids, etc.

3. Quizlet is a web-based application developed to help students study information through flash cards, and games.  Students have the opportunity to listen to the words, see pictures, and use interactive tools to support their vocabulary needs. 

Technology Breakdown

           

Application	Ease of Use	Practicality of Incorporation	Cost	User Friendly (for teacher and student)	Cross-Curricular Abilities
IXL	This can be accessed from an iPhone, iPad, laptop, or desktop.	Access is unlimited for one full year from home and school.	Classroom licenses start at $299 for 25 students. Access is unlimited for one full year from home and school. School-wide and district-wide site licenses are also available.	YES	Provides standards aligned content in math, language arts, science, and social studies.
StoryBoard That	This can be accessed from an iPhone, iPad, laptop, or desktop.	Access is unlimited from a month to month basis from school.	Classroom of 25 students is $10.99 per month *Click for other Price Packages.	YES	Can be used to create content related to math, language arts, science, and social studies.
Quizlet	This can be accessed from an iPhone, iPad, laptop, or desktop.	Access is unlimited from home and school	FREE	YES	Can be used to create content related to math, language arts, science, and social studies.

    Each selected technology differentiates for readiness, interest, and learning styles because they incorporate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic components that meet the various learning styles in the classroom. Students can touch the screen and move answers and pictures around, they can hear words and phrases, they have pictures associated with the learning material, and they are reading along the way. Students need opportunities to engage in all types of learning and the incorporation of all modalities to engage learning styles is imperative to reach all students (Hawk & Shah, 2007). 

     Instructional strategies to use with these programs include giving the students opportunities to work for a set amount of time as a daily goal. This will boost motivation and engagement! And by letting the students choose this as something they can work on during their free times, will give them choice and  allow them to see this as a reward instead of just work.

Effective Instructional Strategies
Cooperative learning Group discussions Independent study Portfolio development Journals and learning logs Role-playing Think-Pair-Share Project-based learning Experiential learning Peer teaching Problem-based learning Visualization (Moore, 2014).

    Students can create ownership in learning through the promotion of these concept in IXL and Quizlet. In both IXL and Quizlet, students are working at their own pace and are being challenged to build deeper understanding of different concepts. They are also developing skills that are geared towards their individual learning level. Students are engaged and motivated to learn because of the interactive games that feel very similar to what they are doing on their digital devices at home.  And, in both IXL and Quizlet, students can be assigned content that will give them additional individualized practice. Through these programs, teachers can differentiate assignments and skills based upon the student and can even give options to the students to fit their learning style. Teachers can engage students in the classroom by allowing them to find relevance in the content that they are working on. 

     Overall, differentiated instruction may feel overwhelming, but there are technology tools available to help teachers keep students engaged while supporting instruction at their level. We need to allow students the opportunity to learn from where they are academically and not where the textbook or curriculum says they need to be. Differentiated instruction will allow students to feel successful and empower them to become lifelong learners (Benjamin, 2014). 

References

Benjamin, A. (2014). Differentiated instruction: A guide for elementary school teachers. Routledge.

Hawk, T. F., & Shah, A. J. (2007). Using learning style instruments to enhance student learning. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 5(1), 1-19.

Moore, K. D. (2014). Effective instructional strategies: From theory to practice. Sage Publications.

Stanford, P., Crowe, M. W., & Flice, H. (2010). Differentiating with technology. Teaching exceptional children plus, 6(4), n4.