Differentiating Instruction With Technology:

            What Is It?

                              How do you do it?


Part 1:  The Deception

From time to time,  I present workshops about differentiating instruction and technology to a group comprised mostly of teachers. I've learned from my experiences that most of the participants  who attend my workshops have minimal computer skills. They are comfortable with Microsoft Word, their eMail, and looking for information on the Internet.Occasionally, I get one or two teachers who are really  advanced with their computer skills - but it's not the norm.  With this information in mind, I start my workshop by assigning the participants the following activity.  Please read the activity thoroughly.
  

Welcome Activity – “It’s All About You!”

Directions:

  1. All participants will create a PowerPoint presentation introducing themselves to the group.
  2. Presentations must consist of at least 10 slides.
  3. There must be at least 4 different slide transitions.
  4. You must import a minimum of 5 graphics from the internet.
  5. You must use one streaming video.
  6. Hyperlinks should be included to at least three of your favorite websites.
  7. Please use the slide master setting for a consistent, but creative background.
  8. Custom animations should be selected for a pre-timed presentation, not to exceed 4 minutes.
  9. You will have one hour to complete this assignment. This assignment will count towards the requirements recently amended by the N.J. DOE for receipt of professional development hours for this workshop.


After I hand out the assignment, I advise the group that they better get going on it because “the clock is ticking.”  Then, I make myself look busy fumbling with paperwork. In reality, I’m peaking out of the corner of my eye to see how everyone is coping with this arduous task!  (If you haven’t read through the assignment, go back and read the directions.  You will see that it requires advanced skills in the use of PowerPoint, as well as manipulating files, graphics, videos, etc.)  Ninety-five percent of the participants usually sit frozen in their seats, not knowing where to begin, as my average workshop participant has limited or no knowledge about PowerPoint. 

After a few quiet moments, the participants start to make some noise.  One person will raise their hand and ask for help – or someone else will quietly call me over and confide in me that they don’t know PowerPoint.  As soon as the ice is broken, everyone chimes in to let me know they are feeling intimidated. (Sometimes with laughs, and sometimes with dirty looks!)

Instead of soothing them, I take the opportunity to let them know how disappointed I am about their incompetence. “What do you mean, you don’t know PowerPoint?,” I ask.  I advise them that I know how to use it, so they should know how to use it, too. “What’s wrong with you?” I ask over and over again.  I then go into a gentle tirade about the situation.  Their faces go blank – and in one workshop, a woman asked if she could have her money back!

Then, it’s my turn to break the ice – and I say to the group, “Okay – I have another assignment, which you may like better.”  At that point, I hand out the following assignment:


















Part 4:  Your Assignments


Assignment #1

Your assignment is to create a lesson plan, using technology, and showing differentiation.  Look at this website for an example of what I'm looking for:   

In the activity section, this teacher has provided three different activities based on readiness levels.  (What they know, what they don't know).  The rest is self-explanatory.  So here's the spec's:

1.  Please use the following format: 

    Subject(s)
    Grade Level
    Brief Description
    Objectives
    Materials Needed
    Lesson/Activity  - *Note:  This is where the differentiated activities should appear.
    Assessment
    
2.  Your lesson plan must integrate the use of technology.

3.  Attach any worksheets or samples of differentiated activities if appropriate.

4.  Neatly typewritten and assembled in a manner that is appropriate for a graduate student.
5.  Here's another website with some ideas about technology integration for your lesson plans.

Assignment #2

Journal Article.  This time, you get to pick the journal article to summarize.  Remember, it must be about differentiated instruction and technology!  Where to find one?  Look in your Kean library - go to Kean online and go to the academic search premier, or Wilson's databases.  If you don't know how to do this, you have three choices:

1. Read the instructions on the online library webpage; or
2. Call the library during regular business hours and have a librarian walk you through it; or
3.  Go to the library in person. 

 You can also find several online.

That's it!
Tools for Differentiated Instruction Using Technology
Differentiation Instruction Using Technology
Bibliography Under Construction