The Power of Technology

Process

Use the power of technology to differentiate by extending the choices and tools for communication.

Add power to brainstorming topics through the use of technology.

AnswerGarden is a fun way to collect ideas. You post a question or statement to complete such as The circulatory system is like...? and students provide analogies. They can then use the ideas in their writing assignment.

Add power to processing information.

iPad apps such as Storyboarding allow students to visualize the plot, sequencing, setting, and sction of their story.

Google Moderator is a new tool that lets students post questions, create replies, vote. Minecraft is an increasingly popular tool for world building and great for practicing programming. There's a Google Moderator group where you can go to share and see ideas.

Planning and Note-taking Apps

Idea Sketch. Create concept maps, flowcharts, and other ways to visualize ideas and plan for writing.
Noteshelf ($4.99). Allows you to handwrite notes and organize them on shelves.
Mind Mash. Brainstorm ideas and share with others.
MindMeister lets students create, edit and share mind maps.
SimpleMind+ is a concept mapping tool for basic mind maps.
Total Recall is an easy-to-use mind mapping tool.
iCardSort ($5.99) is a tool for brainstorming and organizing ideas.
Toontastic is a great tool that ivolves drawing, animating, and sharing cartoons. Students learn about building a story arc. Students can share their projects online.
TouchDraw has a great tool for creating flowcharts as well as any type of drawing.
myHomework lets you keep track of assignments.

Wallwisher is one of many online tools where you can post a question, link, or resource and students can respond. For instance, after listening to a story at Storyline, students write about a character.

Add power to "exit card" type activities through the use of Google Forms at Google Docs. You can do process checks on forms then group the needs of students. Or, you could ask for student reading activity preferences.

Differentiate through technology with activities that honor preferences, choices, and flexibility.