In our class this week, we were able to share and learn from our peers. We presented learning styles with a focus on how to integrate technology into them. Once again, I have begun to see things from a different angle. Based on Sophie’s presentation I have decided to look at Differentiated Instruction and how technology can be applied to it and used in my classroom.
Much like using technology in the classroom, differentiated instruction is something that I am always thinking of as I strive to meet the needs of my students. As with most classes, I have a wide range of student learners and am always looking for ways to differentiate my teaching. It seems that so many wonderings I have about my classroom and how to make it more student-centred or to differentiate more effectively, technology seems to come to the forefront with practical ways that I can make the shift in my teaching practice that I am looking for.
Differentiated instruction lends itself very well to the application of technology in the classroom. There are a many applications and programs that can be used for the different levels of learning that one may have in their classroom (for students and teachers). Another advantage of using technology would be for students to be able to receive instant feedback to inform instruction and help the teacher and student understand in which area they need to focus. Technology would allow students to access books on their individual level and allow them to read “just right” books in the genre that was being focused on in class. Many of these books also read to the students, which would allow the students to practice their listening skills as well as their oral reading skills.
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Image by Llennon
I think that technology integration lends itself very well to differentiation in many areas of the curriculum. It allows students another avenue to be responsible for their learning and to apply their knowledge to real life situations. Learning about TPACK this week on the ISTE 2010 Radio/Video Show, opened my eyes to even more possibilities. It stressed the importance of thinking outside the box and continued to emphasize the importance of creativity and collaboration in the learning process. We can make our teaching more effective by using the tools that technology has to give us. But it is important to remember that, as Punya Mishra says on his show that “there is no such thing as educational technology, teachers need to creatively repurpose technology”. This is a big task and one that is never really done, as technology continues to advance.
The message of the necessity of transformational technology in the classroom really hit home when I was watching Will Richardson’s TedxNYED talk. Richardson is right when he says that we area at a point in education where we have no choice but to integrate technology. “Everything’s been changed by technology except schools”. How can we possibly prepare our students for the future if we continue to keep falling behind?
