|
Reading, Technology, & Differentiation
Differentiation involves adapting instruction to respond to the diverse needs of learners. Let's explore three ways to think about reading, technology, and differentiation:
|
Reading Practice
What's practice? Boring worksheets and old-fashioned drill and practice software has given practice a bad name. Practice is an essential part of learning. For instance, I want an airplane pilot who has had lots of practice flying a plane.
Research shows that the more you read and write, the better you get. Practice is more than simple drills. It's applying what you've learned to new situations. Use technology to identify practice environments to address the diverse needs of your students.
For example, nonreaders may need audio support. Resources may also be available in different languages. For example, the Dinosphere materials are available in Spanish for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. |
Experiment!
Explore the websites and online lessons above. How can online materials help address the diverse needs in your classroom? Discuss issues related to age appropriateness. What make these materials effective or ineffective?
Reading Skills Practice
Although some students quickly acquire reading strategies, others need specific instruction related to reading concepts. The following websites provide practice in reading. |
Design Your Own Activities
Experiment!
Open the Guide Student Use Word document. Choose a web-based activity and design a high level thinking assignment that connects the web-based activities to a specific standard.
|
Reading Tools
Some students need more guidance than others when reading. The support may be reading activities, anticipation guides, or other supplemental materials. Sometimes the use of visuals, audio, and other channels of communication are helpful.
Also consider the use of tools such as Kidspiration or Inspiration to help students visualize the plot, characters, and setting of a reading material. |
For more ideas go to Teacher Tap: Electronic Books and Online Reading.
|
Real-world Reading
Explore age-appropriate readings that reflect activities beyond the school. Seek topics of interest to individual students. In particular, boys are attracted to electronic magazines and news sources.
Watch Video Interviews with 35 Children's Book Authors from Reading Rockets to help students gain insights into the authors of their favorite books.
If you have children with special needs, check out LD Online KidsZone. |
Experiment!
Explore the resources on this page. Or, examine the Article Archive or Science Explorations Library from Scholastic. Design an activity based on an article. Consider the individual differences in your class. How can focused practice, using reading tools, and integrating real-world reading assignments help particular students in your class? Rethink how your classroom computers are being used. Do all students complete the same activities? How are your computers an opportunity to differentiate to meet the needs of individual children?
|
|
|