Using technology to differentiate

I believe that using technology can really help teachers differentiate instruction. I am currently working with a group of first graders who need extra help with addition concepts and skills. On some days, they are joined by others (who I quickly discover) have higher skill levels.

After some whole group work, I differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each learner. I can only do this quickly because I know of many resources at my immediate disposal.


Here is a plug for a new tool to help you find websites and apps. Check out graphite at graphite.org. (I am one of their Common Sense Educators!)

Since I am familiar with lots of digital resources, I can quickly have students who still struggle with number recognition and order playing a game that helps with those skills while...

other students can increase their addition fluency by challenging other players online...

while others select their own difficulty level (guided or directed by me) to find combinations of addends...

at the same time that a final group needs to be challenged at a much higher level!

Encouraging Imagination Digitally

I recently taught a summer school session entitled Virtual Field Trips to students in grades 3-5. Using many digital tools, we journeyed to ancient China, Australia, boarded the USS Constitution and ended up on Mars!

I began by brainstorming possible destinations, based on personal interests and travels, availability of engaging digital resources and ideas that would motivate and excite children.  From feedback I received from students and adults, this was a successful 16 day unit.

The factor that brought excitement to the class was my students' imaginations, which I encouraged through conversation with them.  I introduced places and activities as simulations that we were experiencing.  We "flew" using Google Earth.  We experienced sailing and pirate encounters via videos.  We became sailors through digital and physical gaming.  We learned how to tie various knots to rig our sails.  We created art under local influence.

Here are some photographs with brief descriptions of some of our experiences.  I am also creating a Pinterest board titled "Our Virtual Field Trips" with many of the digital resources we used in our adventures.

Learning about ancient Chinese inventions.  We spontaneously kept making connections back to these!

dot painting in Tux Paint

poster illustrating Chinese zodiac

origami creations

using Comic Life to learn about Australian animals

simulation of a sailor's life abord the USS Constitution
http://www.asailorslifeforme.org/

practicing rope knots

modeling using my imagination

treasure hunt: playing a game using latitude and longitude

animated app: Barefoot Atlas

space station app: Earthlapse