Differentiating Instruction through Technology

Differentiating Instruction through Technology
A comprehensive technology plan is important in today's classroom for both students and teachers. In the world today technology moves at lightening speed and students and educators are left behind in the dust, as it moves.. A bridge to being knowledgeable is to bring it into classrooms with project based learning and flipped classroom models to encourage individualized learning according to learning styles. Students and educators alike should be encouraged to step outside of their own comfort and knowledge levels and take a flying leap head on into the world of technology, by being forefront in pioneering educational learning experiences.

Technology to Differentiate Instruction
(Podcasts):Podcasts can be used by students in a flipped classroom presentation to other students and their teachers to present their knowledge content of state or common core standards. Using this type of technology would differentiate from traditional instruction by giving students the ability to use their creative license to material that could possibly not interest a student. In this way, using technology in a fun and inventive way could bring their attention back to learning the material. There are ISTE standards that are both met by teacher and student. For teachers, ISTE standard 1c “Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.(2008)”. By giving students the opportunity to explore their own conceptual understanding by creating a podcast giving in depth knowledge of subject matter students are demonstrating their own mastery of knowledge. In such presentations, as a video podcast students fall right in line with ISTE standard of “Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats. (ISTE-students, 2008)”

(Wikispaces): Wikispaces can be used by educators and students alike, with teachers using them as a way to keep the lines of communication open with available information beyond just the classroom. These spaces are available for students and teachers to use for additional technological learning experiences. ISTE standards for students 3b wants students to “Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. (ISTE-students, 2008)”. While those Standards are touched on by ISTE standard 2d hits “Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.(ISTE-Teachers, 2008)”.

(Powtoons): PowToons can be used in a variety of ways for self-directed student success. Students are able to use their imagination and creative energies into creating a fun, inventive and powerful presentation on any subject matter. One standard that it will hit for students is 1b, “Create original works as a means of personal or group expression (ISTE-student, 2008).” For teachers it is standard 4b “Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources. (ISTE-teacher, 2008)”. Using new tools like PowToons to showcase the mastery of content of knowledge only furthers technology in knowing that students are indeed on the right path to a different type of standardized education.

Pros and Cons There are pros and cons to every side of learning, there are more pros with differentiate instruction, it gives students the opportunity to be in control, use their own creativity and gives them the way to showcase their knowledge. For teachers they will see what their student knows and maybe learn something new from their students. Some cons to this approach is that the expectation for student based learning is higher than regular methods. It also is harder to do in rural areas where high speed internet is not always available and having access to technology is not always as available as it would be in more suburban areas. Rural areas and up country have a harder time of accomplishing such tasks without the availability of reliable technology, such as high speed internet that is not costly. With the most major needed component of technology and even flipped type classrooms it is next to impossible to teach students how to use new technology if it is not available to use. In 2011, only 60% of Americans had the use of broadband internet in homes (Severson, 2011).

Concluding Paragraph
Technology is a solid part of education, it is here and staying. We cannot bury our heads in the sand and hope that because of where we live in that it will not affect us and how we learn. Instead, we must embrace it and do our very best to learn about it and encourage our students to take a leap of faith into the unknown and try something new that they may not understand with our guidance. To show their own mastery of the content and prove that sometimes, what is not expected can be great.