Technology Strategies for Diverse Classrooms

1. Technology Strategiesfor Diverse Classrooms Montour School District May 16, 2008 Keystone Educational Consulting Group, LLC. www.keystoneeducational.com

2. Session Objectives: Identify some simple strategies for utilizing technology in the differentiated classroom Identify some websites that will make your job easier

3. Why is it essential that we use technology in today�s classroom? The students we teach today are �Digital Natives� They are proficient and fluent in the language of computers They have been using computers, e-mail, chat, and the internet as early as preschool age. It is one of their primary modalities of learning

4. Some things you can do for your students with technology: Opportunities to share information with peers and teachers in any media format Assist students in locating information on the internet that is relevant, and addresses student interest, readiness, and learning preference Supplement text base curriculum with multi-media presentations and resources

5. Some things you can do for your students with technology: Demonstrate problem solving strategies and techniques by citing examples by experts in the field Engage students in process-application activities that can get them thinking at every level of Bloom�s Taxonomy

6. Strategy #1 Webquests A web quest is a inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information is on-line. A five part web quest (introduction, task, resources, process, evaluation, and conclusion) often promotes critical thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. http://webquest.sdsu.edu/about_webquests.html

7. Webquest Activity Click on the link below. Click on �find a webquest� in the left tab. Move to the grey box in the middle of the page and find your subject area and grade level. Click on a webquest and explore for 5 minutes. http://www.webquest.org/ Identify how you might be able to use a webquest in your classroom.

8. Adaptations for Webquests Hypertext links to provide more information about a topic Change font color or underline key words, phrases, concepts Text reader software such as Text Aloud, Read and Write Gold and Kurzweil will work for students with LDs

9. Adaptations for Webquests Advanced Organizers with all of the steps and hyperlinks written out clearly, larger font, and with lots of space is a good idea! Graphic Organizers to assist in organizing information from the web-quest Web-quest study guides Guided notes/ vocabulary lists with hyperlinks attached to give definitions

10. Technology and Differentiated Instruction Another great site with numerous resources such as webquests, lesson plans, rubrics, interactive games, etc. is listed below. Click on the site and explore for the next five minutes. Share with the class how you might use something you found in your classroom http://oxbow.concord.k12.in.us/Teacher%20Resources/Tools%20for%20Differeniated%20Instruction%20Using%20Technology.htm

11. Create Rubrics for Performance Based Assessment using Technology Use the Internet to help develop rubrics for performance based activities that challenge students and require higher level thinking skills. Check out these websites: http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/ http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/trubrics.htm http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/assess.html http://www.readwritethink.org/

12. Graphic Organizers as an Instructional Strategy http://www.readingquest.org/strat/graphic.html http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/graphic/ http://www.freeology.com/graphicorgs/ http://www.teachervision.fen.com/graphic-organizers/printable/6293.html

13. Using Technology to Support Math Achievement Illuminations is a great website featuring multi-level complex math problems etc. The activities are often interactive and graphically rich http://illuminations.nctm.org/ http://www.aplusmath.com/

14. Supporting Math and Science using Technology Exploratorium is a site containing lots of hands on math and science activities. Each activity is well presented with diagrams, material lists, on-line tutors, and background information. http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/handson.html

15. Using Technology to Develop Writing Skills Support writing by: Projecting teacher, class, and student writing material for editing and commenting during shared, interactive, and guided writing. When everyone can see the material, they are more likely to participate actively in the editing process. Projecting concept maps using Inspiration or other mindmapping software as the class or group plans writing. This strategy facilitates collaboration and encourages students to generate ideas because of the flexibility of the tool. http://www.webenglishteacher.com/

16. Great websites for Primary Students http://www.internet4classrooms.com/month2month.htm http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/interactive/kindergarten.htm#Math%20Links http://www.aaamath.com/kinder.htm http://www.kidport.com/gradeK/Math/Mathindex.htm

17. Great websites for Primary Students http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/math.html http://www.dr-mikes-math-games-for-kids.com/kindergarten-math-games.html http://www.pitt.edu/~poole/kindergarten.html#math http://schoolweb.missouri.edu/ashland.k12.mo.us/kindrgrd/kkkmath.html

18. Interactive websites that address multiple areas of the curriculum http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/interactive.htm http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_2nd.htm www.chompchomp.com http://its.fvtc.edu/bunnowr/Default.htm

19. Websites to multiple areas of the curriculum http://wneo.org/hotlists/languageartsweb/languageartswebsites.htm http://www.mrnussbaum.com/index.html http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/gcselinks/ http://illuminations.nctm.org/ http://www.aplusmath.com/ http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/handson.html

20. Resources to promote inclusion and co-teaching A good resource to gather some tips and strategies for co-teaching and for creating inclusive school environments is: http://www.inclusiveschools.org/ Click on the �tip of the month� for some good ideas to improve your practice http://depts.washington.edu/cidrweb/inclusive/strategies.html

21. Resources to promote inclusion and co-teaching Check out the Center for Instructional Development and Research for some good ideas to improve student achievement and promote inclusive schools http://depts.washington.edu/cidrweb/index.html http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/special%20needs%20template.pdf

22. Why use Technology? In conclusion, technology and multimedia applications should be an integral part of the learning environment. Our students are immersed in a daily life full of computers and other technological advances. The schools of America should reflect this change in the classroom. Integration of technology does not mean placing a computer in the corner of the classroom and leaving it un-touched throughout the semester. Technology must be incorporated in all aspects of the curriculum. To do anything less would be a disservice to our students.

23. Tips for Teachers Using Technology http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech227.shtml http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/instrsk.html