Technology and Differentiated Instruction

Mr. Paul CherryWilliams Valley Elementary School

6th Grade Math and Reading Teacher

Differentiated InstructionIt is more of an attitude than a processBelief that every student learns at his/her pace

and in his/her wayGiving choices with assignments that correlate to

the level where the student is currentlyWay to engage studentsUsing technology meets them where they are

and increases their engagement in the activity

Consider this…TECHNOLOGY DOES NOT TEACH STUDENTS!

It can’t teach students new concepts on their level in their language and in a way they understand

It can’t think and rethinkIt can’t change course and reteach a

forgotten conceptIt can’t understand all the various

considerations and baggage that the student brought to school that day

It doesn’t care!UNLESS…

Skynet gets its way…

YOU ARE THE TEACHER!DO NOT…

Put in your plan book “computers” or “study island” or “sme” with no actual objectives

Just put computers in front of students randomly asking them to perform tasks that you haven’t taught

Expect students to be able to transfer their skills seamlessly from written work to the computer software

Expect that EVERY student has a computer at homeExpect that EVERY student knows how to do simple

tasks with the technology

What CAN technology do?Take a cold, emotionless snapshot of student

proficiency over the course of the yearReinforce previously taught skills in a

standardized way that mimics state and/or national standards

Let the teacher know what skills each individual student might need remediation and which skills might need enrichment

Let the teacher know whether or not his/her curriculum, scope and sequence, and/or lesson plans are working

And… of course… Technology can… if you’re not careful…

Take over the WORLD…

Possible TechnologyWireless Student RespondersLaptops/ Computer Labs/ iPadsInteractive Electronic White BoardsPodcasts, Wiki Spaces, WebquestsSoftware from the textbook publishersPDE SAS websiteSME, Study IslandPowerPoint, Word, ExcelGoogle Docs, Google EarthWeb-based educator tools

Wireless Student RespondersWhat can you do?

Quick check for individual/class understandingTimed responsesMultiple choice, numeric, T/F, even words!Pre/Post lesson assessment, quizzes, Tests, etc.Paperless

ChallengesTechnology is NOT perfectExperimentation of equipment is necessary

before using student scoresPaperless, so nothing to take home

GoogleGoogle Docs + iPod Touch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VJ1qFcayS8

Google EarthUses

Social Studies Map Skills Science Math Etc.

Laptops, iPads, Computer LabsUses

Student centered/created projectsWord processingWeb-based researchAssessment/Benchmarking

ChallengesLimited resourcesMonitoring student activityReliability of research, spell check, etc.Reliability of teaching with paper/pencil then

assessing on computer

Interactive Electronic WhiteboardsUses

Virtual manipulativesEye-pleasing display of informationAccess to visual computer technology (web,

software, etc.)Ability to save and print out student notesGamesThey’re just plain cool!

ChallengesIt’s technology– it’s going to have “issues”!

Software from Textbook PublishersUses

Create/Edit premade tests and quizzesAllow students to access the software on laptops or

in computer labWeb based resources, especially for the newer

curriculaChallenges

Book may not be aligned to State/National standardsIt’s still using the textbook

Podcasts, Wikispaces, WebquestsUses

Post audio, video, or written notes and discussion on web for anyone to hear, comment or question

Post assignments for students to do in class or at home

ChallengesNot all students will have access at homeMaintaining the site

PDE SAS WebsiteUses

Collection of documents, websites, test question samples, etc all based directly on PA state standards

Create printable assessments, play educational games, do research, find many other resources

Regularly being updated and they listen to teacher comments

ChallengesI have found some of the information to be

misplaced or to not be something tested on state exam

Spend time to learn to navigate it

Study IslandUses

Directly based on state standards, benchmark assessments

Allows students to play games as a rewardMake printable assessments and worksheetsExplanations and mini-lessons for studentsA LOT of useful data

ChallengesSo much to do, so little timeAccess and cost

PowerPoint, Word, Excel

Web-based Teaching Toolspdesas.orgstem.definedlearning.comkids.discovery.com teachertube.comedhelper.comdocs.google.commrcherry.wikispaces.com

What they say/What you sayWHAT THEY SAY WHAT YOU SAYWhere should we store the new laptop carts?

In my classroom!

Does anyone want to try this new technology?

PICK ME, PICK ME!

What ideas do you have about new technology in this district?

Here’s my list!

This technology doesn’t work!! Control-Alt-Delete

We just won a technology grant, does anyone want a [insert the name of the technology here]?

Yes, I do!

What would you like in your classroom for next year?

Hehehe… where to begin. Here’s my list!