Differentiation of Instruction and Technology's Role

1. Considerations when differentiating and choosing tech to include and/or utilize

1.1. Visual/Auditory Abilities

1.2. Motor Abilities

1.2.1. Similar to AT bubble- can student engage in the medium you're teaching in? (ex. do they have the hand stills to operate a computer mouse?

1.3. Language Abilities

1.3.1. Need AAC device or app to participate with peers or create the tech product you want? Ex. typing vs. voice recording to show content

1.3.2. ELL: Text grabbers- take pieces of printed texts and have them translated to help with flow and accessibility of materials. App: ABBYY TextGrabber + Translator ; includes text to speech options as well

1.4. Student Interests

1.5. Cognitive Abilities

1.5.1. Need text-to-speech functions for apps and programs?

1.6. Assisstive Tech Needs

1.6.1. Can the students access the technology you're using, or do they need additional tech supports? https://www.ablenetinc.com: place for switches to help activate things like computer selection, output devices, etc.

1.7. Current tech abilities

1.7.1. What tech skills do they already have? Navigating a device? Typing? Searching?

1.7.2. What do they have at home to do this? What needs to be done in class?

2. Areas to differentiate

2.1. Content

2.1.1. Apps that let you create different profiles for students with specific options for them. Example, personalized reading lists through the app K12 Timed Reading Practice Lite.

2.2. Process

2.2.1. Webs of apps that fit into Bloom's Taxonomy with Technology (ipad apps, android, windows, etc.): SOme students may be working on recognizing still while others are at the level of analyzing materials- this list helps give options to students at varying levels to engage in the contenthttp://www.schrockguide.net/bloomin-apps.html

2.3. Product

2.3.1. Formative assessment options: App Smash as final product vs. paper (explain everything app)- can let students choose what fits their needs and interests. Example program- Voice Thread for narration

2.3.2. Crowded Village app to customize a quiz like assessment with individualized content for students.

3. Benefit of using tech for differentiation [http://www.iste.org/images/excerpts/DIFFK5-excerpt.pdf]

3.1. Can improve performance when tailored to students needs, gives feedback, tracks progress

3.2. Helpful when students can design and produce things beyond a standard test

4. "Differentiated instruction is an approach that enables instructors to plan strategically to meet the needs of every learner. The approach encompasses planning and delivery of instruction, classroom management techniques, and expectations of learners’ performance that take into consideration the diversity and varied levels of readiness, interests, and learning profiles of learners." [https://teal.ed.gov/tealguide/diffinstruct]