Reflection Week 8 Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology

Today we as teachers have diverse learners in one classroom that may range from students who are ELL, special needs, gifted and disabled. All who acquire skills and knowledge using various tools and strategies. Technology has proven to be an effective tool in the reduction of restrictions that may encumber student performance (Bray, Brown and Green, 2004). Educating the diverse learners of today equates to being skillful and knowledgeable about the opportunities technology can offer that can be obtained by teachers by attending professional development activities and researching resources.


Implementing Differentiated Instruction (DI) starts with the reality that our students bring their differences in background experience, culture, language, learning styles and academic abilities to the classroom. The student diversity needs to be embraced and nutured to assure a classroom environment that provides more avenues for learning by accepting student varience as a positive (Laureate Inc., 2009). Differentiated Instruction works within the framework of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with the integration of technology to provide every student with the maxium opportunity to learn by fostering occasions for the success of all students (Laureate Inc., 2009).


Throughout this course I have come to realize the power and value that technology has when it is integrated across the content area, as an instructional tool, a tool to that can assist and measure learning, a resource that reaches all learners, and a way in which to engage students. Students who show interest or care are more motivated to learn according to Tomlinson (Laureate Inc., 2009). If educators expect students to show interest than they need to do their part by being knowledgeable and concerned about the many facets that influence their learning. The first immediate adjustment that I will make to my instructional practice is to utilize technology and the strength of student surveys. I am doing my students an injustice by not being aware of who they are and in which ways they can learn best. As an educator I want my students to be engaged in the learning process and I want my teaching to be effective, utilizing a survey tools to investigate interests, learning styles, multiple intelligences and learning profiles will pave the way to success.


Another way I will implement technology to customize instruction and cultivate what knowledge I have obtained in this course is to make adjustments in the way I currently utilize some technology tools as I add some new tools. I will accomplish this as Dr. Tomlinson recommends at a slow and steady pace and by adding one technology component to each unit (Tomlinson, 1999). Graphic organizers can be used across the content areas and implemented when differentiating by content, process or product. Even though there are not many technology tools, Internet blocking and few software programs that are available to me and my students I can always use my Smartboard to address the diverse learning styles of the learners in my classroom. This technology tool allows text to be manipulated in size, highlighting of text, audio capability, and a touch screen to manipulate objects and or text and the list goes on. Basically, it enhances instruction, engages learners and is interactive. The final technology resource that I will utilize in my classroom is the activity choice board or tic-tac-toe board to differentiate by process. Through this course I came to realize that differentiating did not mean I could not successfully integrate various forms of technology for students to choose from to address the curriculum goals while reaching them with different tools. Technology integration allows educators to customize instruction and bridge the gaps found in student diversity. It paves the way for student success in a global society that utilizes these common technology tools.



References
Bray, M., Brown, A., & Green, T. (2004b). A closer look at diverse learners. In Technology and
the diverse learner: A guide to classroom practice (pp. 19–32). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin
Press.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Introduction to Differentiated Instruction
[Webcast]. Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. Baltimore, MD:
Author
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Reaching and engaging all learners
through technology. (DVD). Learner Differences. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). What is Differentiated Instruction?
[Webcast]. Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. Baltimore, MD:
Author

Tomlinson, C. (1999). Differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners.
Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.
Retrieved from the Walden Library ebrary.