Eclectic Technology
224.6K views | +4 today
Follow
Eclectic Technology
Tech tools that assist all students to be independent learners & teachers to become better teachers
Curated by Beth Dichter
Your new post is loading...
Your new post is loading...
Scooped by Beth Dichter
Scoop.it!

Delivering Differentiated Instruction in Your Classroom | Edudemic

Delivering Differentiated Instruction in Your Classroom | Edudemic | Eclectic Technology | Scoop.it

"Carol Ann Tomlinson, author of “The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners,” is the country’s preeminent scholar on differentiated instruction. Tomlinson defines differentiated learning as “ensuring that what a student learns, how he/she learns it, and how the student demonstrates what he/she has learned is a match for that student’s readiness level, interests, and preferred mode of learning.” She likens the reluctance to integrate modern knowledge of the learning process into the classroom to settling for a Model T instead of embracing 21st-century engineering."

Beth Dichter's insight:

This post explores some of Carol Ann Tomlinon's work on differentiation. Specifically it looks at:

* Content

* Process

* Product

* Affect

After defining each of these concepts you will find the following sections:

* The Empirical Basis of Differentiation

* Implementing Differentiation in your Classroom

* Anecdotal Support for this Method

* Criticisms of Differentiation

Many teachers find it difficult to find the time to differentiate for all students and some students find it frustration to discover that they have more work than other students. Today we are often told that we need to personalize the instruction for each student. Differentiation is one way we can walk down this road.

No comment yet.
Scooped by Beth Dichter
Scoop.it!

Technology Tidbits: Thoughts of a Cyber Hero: 10 Sites for Differentiated Instruction

Technology Tidbits: Thoughts of a Cyber Hero: 10 Sites for Differentiated Instruction | Eclectic Technology | Scoop.it

Quoted from post:
"Differentiated instruction and assessment (also known as differentiated learning or, in education, simply, differentiation) is a framework or philosophy for effective teaching that involves providing students with different avenues to acquiring content; to processing, constructing, or making sense of ideas; and to developing teaching materials and assessment measures so that all students within a classroom can learn effectively, regardless of differences in ability." 

Beth Dichter's insight:

The need to differentiate instruction is an element that all teachers must address. This post provides information on ten sites that will help you differenting instruction. Each site has a brief description which includes the subject areas addressed. You will find information for differentation in the areas of math, reading, science, language arts and more. Three of the sites are listed below. Please check the post for seven more.

* BrainNook - " A wonderful site/apps for Math and Language Arts that generates detailed common-core aligned reports allowing educators to set assignments targeting students weak areas  or areas for improvement."

* Infuse Learning - " A terrific site/app that enables educators to create an educational environment tailored to meet the different needs of their students.  Also, IL has seamless integration w/ BYOD and mobile learning."

* ZooWhiz - "A fantastic site aligned to educational curriculums in a wide variety of subjects (Math, Grammar, Vocab, etc.).  ZW offers details progress reports that helps assess students learning needs."

No comment yet.
Scooped by Beth Dichter
Scoop.it!

53 Ways to Check for Understanding - from Edutopia

Beth Dichter's insight:

Edutopia is providing great resources using the hashtag #bestyearever. This will take you to a pdf that provides 53 ways to check for understanding. Below are three of the ideas:

* Invent the quiz: Write 10 higher-order text questions related to the content. Pick 2 and answer them in a page.

* Misconception Check: Give a common misconception about a topic, students explain why they agree or disagree with it.

* Muddy Moment: What frustrates you and confuses you about the text? Why?

As many of are just beginning or will shortly begin a new year the 53 ideas may provide you with some new ways to check for understanding. For more information download the pdf and you might also check this this post from Edutopia, Dipsticks: Efficient Ways to Check for Understanding, where the author discusses assessment, with a focus on Alternative Formative Assessment (AFA) strategies, which generated the list found in the pdf.

No comment yet.
Scooped by Beth Dichter
Scoop.it!

The Matthew Effect: What Is It and How Can You Avoid It In Your Classroom?

The Matthew Effect: What Is It and How Can You Avoid It In Your Classroom? | Eclectic Technology | Scoop.it

"The only reason not to reward the best and brightest for their achievements is to avoid punishing the rest for their shortcomings...

Programs for the gifted and acts like NCLB are classic catalysts of what social scientists call the Matthew Effect. Coined by sociologist Robert Merton, the Matthew Effect derives its name from a verse in the New Testament (Matthew 25:29)...and roughly translates to, “Those who are successful are most likely to be given the special opportunities that lead to further success, and those who aren’t successful are most likely to be deprived of them."
Beth Dichter's insight:

This post explores the Matthew Effect in detail, providing the background to be able to understand how this impacts our classrooms today. After the introduction the post is split into three sections:

* How The Labels You Place On Your Students Affects Their Performance

* How Early Experiences Determine A Student's Academic Career

* The Matthew Effect In The System
This final section raises the question of the value of holding students back. The author states "The ideal solution, she proposes, is not holding kids back but collaborating with parents on the creation of an individualized learning plan for each student who needs help reading — a plan that might involve specialized instruction, tutoring, or summer school."

This section also includes 20 ways you can avoid the Matthew Effect in your classroom. Two are listed below:

* Abandon the notion that it is the best and brightest who rise effortlessly to the top.

* For every “talented” student you provide with a superior experience, provide a “less talented” student with an opportunity as well.Each point has additional information that provides a more in-depth explanation.
As you reflect on your teaching are there students who may fall into the Matthew Effect? Do you have additional ideas that would be helpful to share?
No comment yet.