Assessing Technology-Based Resources for Differentiated Instruction
Current Technologies that Support Differentiated Instruction
Technology should make learning more equitable, efficient, effective, and engaging and can be used to differentiate learning to meet students’ individual needs (Kilbane & Milman, 2023). The following technologies provide opportunities for differentiated learning that engage students and provide enriched learning experiences.
Flip: (https://info.flip.com/en-us.html)
Flip, previously Flipgrid, is an online application that allows students to collaborate and communicate assignments through video. This technology can be incorporated into any group or individual assignment or as a means of expression for assessments. Flip is free for all users and is user friendly as it is easy for teachers to set up a classroom and create assignments to share with students. Students are able to simply press a record button to record their response. Flip is not limited to one content area and can be integrated into multiple content areas, as well as with cross-curricular learning activities. This technology engages students as it allows students to verbalize their thinking, collaborate for learning activities, and use creative thinking to create visual products. Flip supports all learning styles, as recording videos allows students to use and create visual and audio products, as well as use hands-on materials in their presentations. Flip allows students to have choice in their expression, use creativity and critical thinking skills to share their learning, and supports collaborative learning. Students can choose to utilize the additional features, such as text, drawings, images and music, to enrich their presentations and express their understanding through means that cater to their learning styles.
Book Creator: (https://bookcreator.com/)
Book Creator is a technology that engages students in their learning through creation of digital books for any content area. The application allows for collaboration on group projects as well as individual creations. It is easy to set up an account and start creating a book project. Also, the application provides guidance with setting up assignments for students and other available features. There is a free version available, in addition to paid versions for more features, starting at $6.50 a month, and options for schools and districts to purchase a license. This technology is user friendly as teachers can easily start a classroom library and create book projects for individual students or collaborative groups. Book Creator offers multiple book templates for all subjects and topics. Multiple teachers can collaborate to participate in a cross-curricular project where writing and literature can be integrated with any content area as a creative means for student expression. Book Creator caters to individual student differences and learning styles by providing multimodal tools and allows for student voice and choice in their creations. Students are able to create digital books and access different features to support their project, including visuals, tactile and audio tools, templates, and graphic organizers. Students can collaborate on books for group assignments, as well as provide feedback within the application. Not only are students able to create and publish their books, but also can read others' books, and use features to ensure equitable access to other publications.
Wixie: (https://www.wixie.com/)
Wixie is an online application that allows students to create and collaborate for classroom assignments, using multiple options for templates and projects. This application offers curriculum integration guides with multiple standards-based activities and templates available for individual or group assignments and assessments. Teachers are able to try out the application with a free trial and access the tutorials, templates, and lesson plan ideas. Classroom teachers can subscribe to Wixie for $0.75 a month or $5.00 a year, per student, or schools and districts can purchase a license for a yearly subscription. Wixie is user friendly as the tutorials and professional development library allow teachers to find guides and information for all components of the application. There are multiple options for students and teachers to choose from for learning experiences, and the interface seems easy to use. Wixie provides lesson plans and templates for multiple subjects and topics specific to grade levels. There are online tools and manipulatives that students can access for their projects, as well as the ability to use content-based templates or customize assignments. Wixie has multiple design tools, including text, drawings, and video and voice recordings. Teachers can incorporate instructional strategies by providing choices for students, as well as access to various templates and tools for demonstrating their knowledge, making the learning accessible for all students. Wixie provides a range of options, so students are able to have autonomy to share their learning in various ways. Teachers are also able to provide feedback to students through Wixie.
How Technologies Promote Learning and Create Ownership of Learning Among Students
Book Creator and Wixie are two technologies that can be used in the classroom to support the creation of projects through multimodal learning, which engages students and enriches their learning experiences. Multimodal learning matches instruction and curriculum with multiple methods that meet the individual learning needs of students, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning (Litonjua, 2020). Both Book Creator and Wixie offer features that promote learning, through equitable access to content and expression, as well as engage students and elevate their learning experiences. Book Creator promotes student learning as students are able to create books, as well as collaborate with peers. Creation is the highest level of Bloom's Taxonomy and encourages students to engage in higher-order thinking (Ruhl, 2024). Collaboration allows students to engage in discourse and use skills such as problem solving and communication as they work with others to create a book project. Wixie also promotes student creativity and expression for learning. This technology engages students with choice for multimodal learning with various templates and forms of assessment of learning. Students are also able to collaborate using Wixie through collaborative projects, with opportunities for teacher feedback and guidance.
Technology engages students and empowers them to have ownership of their own learning. Students can use technology to communicate and express their thoughts, with choice in their style of expression (Roshan, 2023). Both Book Creator and Wixie foster student-centered learning and creation of projects that allows them to have autonomy and choice in how they express their learning. Choice and autonomy in tasks and assignments empower students to invest in their own learning outcomes and lead to self-directed learning (Dabrowski & Marshall, 2019). Through Book Creator, students are able to create and publish books, empowering them to take ownership of their own learning. Students have choice and voice in what they create, which engages and motivates them. Students can express their understanding of concepts through student-created literature and use multimodal features within the application to create their projects. Wixie also empowers student ownership of their learning through choices and various methods of expression. Students can use multimodal features such as text and paint tools, audio and video recording options, as well as create projects through templates to express their understanding of the curriculum.
References
Dabrowski, J., & Marshall, T. R. (2019). Choice & relevancy: Autonomy and personalization in assignments help motivate and engage students. Principal, 98(3), 10-13.
Kilbane, C., & Milman, N. (2023, June 26). Differentiated learning and technology: A powerful combination. ASCD. https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/differentiated-learning-and-technology-a-powerful-combination
Litunjua, E. (2020, December 16). What is multimodal learning? eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/what-is-multimodal-learning
Roshan, S. (2023, June 12). Leveraging technology in teaching: Transforming the learning experience. The Learning Counsel. https://thelearningcounsel.com/articles/leveraging-technology-in-teaching-transforming-the-learning-experience/#:~:text=Technology%20provides%20a%20powerful%20way%20to%20engage%20students%2C,and%20empower%20students%20to%20direct%20their%20own%20learning.
Kilbane, C., & Milman, N. (2023, June 26). Differentiated learning and technology: A powerful combination. ASCD. https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/differentiated-learning-and-technology-a-powerful-combination
Litunjua, E. (2020, December 16). What is multimodal learning? eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/what-is-multimodal-learning
Roshan, S. (2023, June 12). Leveraging technology in teaching: Transforming the learning experience. The Learning Counsel. https://thelearningcounsel.com/articles/leveraging-technology-in-teaching-transforming-the-learning-experience/#:~:text=Technology%20provides%20a%20powerful%20way%20to%20engage%20students%2C,and%20empower%20students%20to%20direct%20their%20own%20learning.
Ruhl, C. (2024, February 1). Bloom’s taxonomy of learning. SimplyPsychology.
Anne,
ReplyDeleteBook creator is a technology I would like to explore more in my classroom. It seems like it would be very engaging for students. Our school district This is a technology tool that our district grants students and staff free access to. I can see myself using this in reading class to help differentiate student learning. Students have access to auditory tools to assist them with reading and listening to their books. Students can import images to support more visual learners. I could allow students to write alternate endings to books, or even just use their vocabulary to create a book. This is a tool I can use during small group or individual student work time. I can differentiate and reach different learning styles. Students can create and share their voices by accessing the features and tools available to design their book in their own way. Thank you for sharing this technology.