Week 5 resources for differentiating instruction

[Lindsay]

This week we were supposed to find strategies, tools, or resources
integrating technology to differentiate instruction according to
student readiness, interest, and learning profile. Here are a few of
the links I found in order to accomplish this task.

Readiness:

o Survey Monkey (http://www.surveymonkey.com)
Survey monkey is a wonderful tool that can have various uses in the
classroom. This tool allows you to create a survey about any topic
imaginable. One way this tool can be used in the classroom is by
creating a survey for the beginning of a unit. You could use the
student response system to have the students answer questions about a
topic. At the completion of the survey, you would be provided with
immediate feedback as to what the students know, and you would be able
to differentiate your lessons accordingly. This tool is supported by
the concepts learned this week because it allows you to use technology
to assess the students in a non-threatening way, but still enabling
you to see where they are struggling (Laureate Education, 2009).

o Skills Tutor (http://www.myskillstutor.com)
Skills Tutor is a program that is used in my school. It offers
tutorials and practice over language and math skills. The students
take a pretest for each subject area, and then the program decides
which areas they need more practice in. It is a way to offer students
support at their own level. I use the program in my classroom during
our double dosing time. After I have covered a lesson, I will let
those students who are still struggling use this program for extra
help. It is a wonderful program because it provides a review and then
practice for each skill. It will also read the text to the students if
they choose that option. This program is used in our school for grades
2-5. For students needing an extra challenge in a particular skill,
they can complete an activity at a higher-grade level. This program
supports the use of technology to differentiate instruction as stated
by Dr. Throne and Dr Smith by using software for independent practice
and flexible grouping so that students are working at their
appropriate readiness level (2007).

Interest:

o Second Grade WebQuests (http://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/schools/elem/
odes/webquests-Second%20Grade.htm)
WebQuests are research projects in which students use the Internet for
resources. These research projects are usually interest based.
According to Dr. Smith and Dr. Throne, “researching topics of personal
interest encourages students to become more actively involved in the
learning process, which in turn boosts their levels of
accountability” (2007, p.18). In the classroom, WebQuests can be used
in a variety of subjects. WebQuests allow students to figure out the
answers to different questions posed by the teacher. This resource is
supported by the concepts learned this week because not only is the
technology embedded in this activity, but the students are also given
a choice of the topic they are choosing to research in a given subject
area. The freedom to choose will make the students more engaged in the
learning.

Learning Profile:

o BrainpopJr. (http://www.brainpopjr.com)
BrainpopJr. is a resource for K-3 teachers. It provides lessons and
activities to go with the different standards for each subject area.
For each topic there is a word wall with important vocabulary, video
lesson, easy and hard quiz, joke, list of books related to the topic,
and several different activities related to the topic as well. This is
a wonderful resource that all teachers should utilize in the
classroom. I use this resource often in my classroom. Sometimes I use
it as an introduction to a topic, and other times I use it to teach
the lesson. It works well as a whole group or individual activity. The
students really enjoy it because it utilizes technology, which they
love, as well as appealing to all of the different learning styles in
the classroom. The leveled quizzes allow the students the option to
answer questions at a level that is comfortable for them. The
different activities also appeal to the students’ varying learning
styles as well. They can choose to write about the topic, read about
the topic, draw about the topic, or complete the other pre-made
activity. This resource is supported by the concepts learned this week
because it provides something for everyone. All students will be
engaged in this lesson and it provides them with choices for
activities in the way in which they prefer to express their
knowledge.

[jeroudclark]

I love your idea with webquests. I think this can be used in the 9th
grade with a little tweeking. Thank you for bringing this to our
attention! In the tool itself the students are provided choice and by
answering the questions the teacher can create a profile for each
student. I would use this tool to create projects that would be more
inviting for the students. Thanks again for this tool. Take care.

[cadelman]

Lindsay,
Thanks for the great sites. I really like brainpopjr, and noticed
that they have a section on physical education and health. I could
definitely utilize this resource when I take my classes to the
computer lab. For example, I can have the students test their healthy
food knowledge before we begin talking about the food pyramids.

On Jul 29, 5:56 pm, Lindsay <lindsay_clatterb...@comcast.net> wrote:

[jennifer]

Lindsay,
I am so glad to see that you have posted webquests to use in your
classroom because I have been a little scared to use them in my
class. I think I wuld probably start with my higher level students to
see how they do for enrichment and then maybe have them help my other
students. So glad you are shared your site with us.

[ryan.cameron]

Lindsay -
I really like the idea of using surveymonkey in the classroom. I
think that it gives us a chance to assess our students in a new and
different way. I think that you had some great resources in your post
and a few I'd like to look into even more. Great job.