Differentiated Instruction with Technology
Since the inception of NCLB (No Child Left Behind), educators have been faced with ways to ensure that all children are proficient by 2014. That is an enormous feat. However, many teachers are embracing this challenge by using differentiated instruction with technology to meet this goal.
One of the first ways technology can be used in differentiated instruction is by assessing the students' skills before the unit is taught Pre-assessment. Teachers can use this information to formulate different instructional models to help each student be successful.
Another way technology can be used in a differentiated lesson is what Dr. Carolyn Burleson calls the Intake Option (2003). This tool allows how the instruction is received by the student. Various models appear in this option appealing to the different intelligences ranging from visual, auditory, and even kinesthetic learners.
Following this course of action, the next step in utilizing this technology is to give the students the means to process the information. A few examples of the processing piece are thinking maps, Web Quests, interactive maps, and graphic organizers (Burleson, 2003). By offering multiple means of obtaining the information, this allows the teacher to meet the needs of the individual student.
Finally how the student presents their knowledge of the material is a beneficial aspect of technology. Students can use many different media tools to demonstrate their mastery of the concept. Introducing new forms such as the prezi gives the students the avenue in which their learning is highlighted.
One of the barriers however to differentiated instruction with technology is the knowledge of the teacher. Many schools are now instituting professional development specifically targeting technology and differentiated instruction because of NCLB. As an educator myself, this is an area I feel that education needs to pursue. Differentiated instruction with technology is a valuable tool in the classroom.
Key words:
differentiated instruction, NCLB
Stansbury, M. (2009, February 2). Technology Empowers Differentiated Instruction
Retrieved from
This is an INCREDIBLE post. You are EXACTLY right.... sorry that I used all CAPS there, but it is so true! Both of my parents are educators. My mom works directly in the school district and my dad was a career long banker turned prof. They both received their masters in education technology from VCSU. Everything that you talked about in your post are things that I hear about every day from my parents. They talk about educators being out of touch with reality and that there are other techniques that can be applied using technology that can foster greater retention of the content. Educators need to keep up with technology because it can/is an incredible tool.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! As a student I never thought about different approaches and tactics that teachers used. I just did the work and did what they asked of me. Part of me used to think that a teacher’s job wasn’t very stressful or demanding. Your post has completely changed my mind. The different strategies used to teach students are very interesting. Differentiated instruction with technology seems like a very useful tool! Thanks for all you do as a teacher!
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