Week #3 Group 4-Current Event Topic: Identify an online source that is an example of differentiated instruction using technology.
Explanation: This week you read about some of the more significant theories pertaining to how humans learn. Locate an article, blog post, website etc. that describes a learning activity that a teacher has done which integrates technology to address differentiated learning styles.
The article we would like to share was found on the Edutopia website. It is based around the Forest Lake Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina. The teachers and staff of this school understand that the way that we teach is changing all the time because of different factors such as income levels, ethnicity, interests, and abilities. To make sure they play to each and every students strengths they have incorporated a wide variety of technology into the classroom such as computers and digital cameras.
To help educators, the faculty at Forest Lake elementary have put together 10 tips to incorporating technology into your classroom so that your students are more engaged, and you have a more personalized and productive classroom.
1. Deliver Instruction through Multiple Forms of Media- Teachers can use different things such as videos, audio clips, games, and different software to teach their students.
2. Gather and Use Immediate Feedback on Students' Understanding- Using technology like/similar to remote response units or computer programs that give immediate feedback when a student answers a question can give you (the educator) an idea of who understands what so that you can formulate more personalized lesson plans.
3. Give Students Options- Allow students to show their learning in different ways such as power points or comic strips.
4. Automate Basic-skills Practice- Using software for basic skills practice can help you determine weak spots. Teachers can review findings daily and assign specific assignments based on each childs strengths and weaknesses.
5. Practice Independent Work Skills- Having students work independently can be chaotic. Be clear with expectations and practice them often.
6. Create a Weekly "Must Do" and "May Do" List- When students finish work early they have a list of things that they can do so they already know what they need to do.
7. Pretest Students' Knowledge Before Each Unit- Teachers from the same grade level devise a plan to test students before the start of a topic, such as a question that they answer with thumbs up or thumbs down.
8. Be Flexible When Plans Go Awry- When obstacles arise, ask students to help you develop an alternate solution.
9. Let Students Drive- Put the technology into the students hands and let them work at their own pace.
10. Share the Work of Creating Differentiated Lessons- Sharing the work with fellow teachers to develop lesson plans for all learning levels.
Link to original article- http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-ten-key-lessons
