DI & UDL

[Kaywana]

Differentiating by Readiness
Tool/Resource: Exploratree

URL: http://www.exploratree.org.uk/

Summary: Exploratree is a free online visual thinking guide library
that provides students with interactive templates that can be used to
brainstorm and map out ideas, as well as organize and analyze
information. Some of the features include: uploading of images,
printing and/or editing of an existing guide, group collaboration and
communication of ideas.

Implementation: In the classroom, these guides can be used as a pre-
assessment tool of students’ knowledge on a topic. These tools would
indicate how students connect ideas and would enable the teacher to
plan lessons that will deepen and extend knowledge as well as clear up
any misconceptions. The guides also assist in strengthening students’
critical thinking skills.

Supported Concepts:
This week I learnt about the linkages between Differentiated
Instruction, Universal Design and Technology. Using this online tool
helps teachers to differentiate instruction by readiness by providing
options for perception, language and symbols, and comprehension which
are the three basic guidelines of the first principle of Universal
Design for Learning which is to provide multiple means of
representation. The added functions of being able to collaborate and
communicate ideas across the Internet also aligns with UDL’s second
principle, which is to provide multiple means of action and
expression.
Exploratree’s visual thinking guides “facilitate visualization of key
content”, “help students distinguish and classify core concepts,
consequences, and cause and effect”, and help students to “link new
material to past material and highlight interrelationships between
important concepts” (Hall, Strangman, & Meyer, (2003), p. 51).

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Differentiating by Learning Profile
Strategy: Choice Boards

URL: http://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/Choice+Boards

Summary: Dare to Differentiate is a wiki that provides tools and
resources to educators to help them effectively differentiate
instruction in the classroom. One of the strategies listed on the wiki
are Choice Boards including Tic-Tac-Toe Menus, Think-Tac-Toes,
Learning Menus, and Extension Menus. Choice Boards are “organizers
that contain a variety of activities from which students make
selections” (Harding & O’Malley, 2010). Dare to Differentiate provides
teachers with ideas, templates and sample boards of how to use choice
boards in different subject areas.

Implementation: I plan on using choice boards in my classrooms,
especially when I am engaging students in project-based learning
activities. While I do offer options in my lessons, I do tend to
suggest my preferences. Using choice boards will help me to release
the control and responsibility of learning to my students.

Supported Concepts:
Differentiating instruction by learning profile acknowledges the
variances of students in the classroom. By implementing choice boards
in the classroom students can pick a media to demonstrate what they
have learnt based on their learning preferences and styles. This
ability to have a choice in determining the look and feel of a final
product engages and motivates students which coincide with the third
principle of UDL.

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Differentiating by Interest
Strategy, Tool/Resource: Jigsaw Group Strategy

URL: http://www.jigsaw.org/overview.htm

Summary: The Jigsaw Classroom is a website designed to promote the
jigsaw cooperative learning technique. For persons who are new to this
strategy, the website gives an overview of the technique, steps to
using the technique, tips on implementation and links to other
resource material.

Implementation: I would use the technique, and resources mentioned on
this website in my third grade mathematics classes. I have found that
my students learn some aspects of math easier when they are taught by
a peer. As a teacher, the jigsaw grouping technique will give me
better management of the groups, since each group will be focused on a
specific task. Although many students consider math to be boring, it
is quite an interesting subject that can be applied in almost every
aspect of life. Using this technique to group students by their
interests will help me to show the relevance of math in real life
situations that are of interest to my students.

Supported Concepts:
The Jigsaw Group Strategy is supported by the second UDL Principle
which is to provide multiple action and expression. This technique
enables the teacher to provide students with options for composition
and problem-solving as well as options for executive functions.
Technology supports this strategy in the planning, investigating, and
presentation phases of the technique.

[katiey...@yahoo.com]

Kaywana, I use tic-tac-toe boards for my students' spelling homework.
The students and parents like the flexibility and freedom this
activity brings because they are able to do the homework activities
they like best. I noticed the one tic-tac-toe board that was created
for math review. I think that might be something I might try to use.

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[Hayley D]

I really liked the exploratree resource. My campus is a Thinking Maps
trained campus and many of the online graphic organizers on this site
would fit right into that frame of thinking. Thanks for sharing.

Hayley D