PBS TeacherLine Presents… Tech Tools to Differentiate Your Instruction Nancy Thompson and Gwen Thomas Pre-K through 12

Fishbowl Activity Fishbowl Activity Questions:   Questions: 1. What is Differentiated Instruction? 2. How is it different from the instructional format that I am presently using? 3. How should my students benefit from being in a differentiated instructional environment? 4. What is one of my biggest concerns regarding the implementation of differentiated instruction? 5. How will students be assessed in a differentiated instructional environment?

Differentiated Instruction an approach to teaching essential content. focuses on whom, where, and how we teach. Video clip: Carol Ann Tomlinson, from an interview with Leslie J. Kiernan, 1996. DI is an approach to teaching essential content in ways that address the varied learning needs of students with the goal of maximizing the possibilities of each learner. A teacher proactively plans varied approaches to what students need to learn, how they will learn it, and/or how they can express what they have learned in order to increase the likelihood that each student will learn as much as he or she can as efficiently as possible. (Tomlinson, 2003, p. 151) Its primary goal is ensuring that teachers focus on processes and procedures that ensure effective learning for varied individuals. An excerpt used for instructional purposes from the ASCD online course “Differentiating Instruction”

Learning Styles Inventory What type of learner are you? Visual Auditory Kinesthetic Combination Let’s find out…….

Differentiated Instruction – The Model

Benefits of Differentiated Instruction Teachers and students show acceptance and respect. Assessment is an ongoing diagnostic activity. All students participate in respectful work. The teacher is primarily a coordinator. Students and teachers collaborate. Students work in a variety of group configurations. Teachers and students accept and respect one another's similarities and differences. Assessment is an ongoing diagnostic activity that guides instruction. Learning tasks are planned and adjusted based on assessment data. All students participate in respectful work — work that is challenging, meaningful, interesting, and engaging. The teacher is primarily a coordinator of time, space, and activities rather than a provider of information. The aim is to help students become self-reliant learners. Students and teachers collaborate in setting class and individual goals. Students work in a variety of group configurations, as well as independently. Flexible grouping is evident. Time is used flexibly in the sense that pacing is varied based on student needs. Students often have choices about topics they wish to study, ways they want to work, and how they want to demonstrate their learning. The teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies to help target instruction to student needs. Students are assessed in multiple ways, and each student's progress is measured at least in part from where that student begins. An excerpt used for instructional purposes from the ASCD online course “Differentiating Instruction”

Students often have choices. Time is used flexibly. Students often have choices. The teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies. Students are assessed in multiple ways. Video clip: –Nicole Freeman, 3rd grade teacher, from an interview with Leslie J. Kiernan, 1996. An excerpt used for instructional purposes from the ASCD online course “Differentiating Instruction”

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DE streaming Unit or theme-related video /clips. Assignment, Writing Prompt, Test builders. Lesson Plans. Professional development resources.

Learner.org – Annenberg Media K -12 unit or theme-related videos. Workshops and courses for educators.

teachers’domain Multi-media resources. Professional development.

National Geographic Multi-media resources. Classroom resoures.

PBS TeacherLine Online professional development for educators. Graduate credit possible. Classroom resources.

PBS TeacherLine Peer Connection Targeted professional development resources.

PBS Kids Interactive resources for children.

PBS Teachers Resources for teachers of PreK – 12 students.

Resources Internet4Classrooms – Differentiated Instruction: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/di.htm How to Plan to Differentiate Instruction: http://www.teach-nology.com/tutorials/teaching/differentiate/planning/ Teachley’s Amazing Brain: http://www.ncwiseowl.org/kscope/TeacherHut/Teachley/index.html Tiered Curriculum Projects K – 12 (Math, Science, ELA): http://ideanet.doe.state.in.us/exceptional/gt/tiered_curriculum/welcome.html Discovery Education Lesson Plan Library: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/teacherCenter/lessonPlans/viewLessonPlans. cfm? pageid=ISTE ASCD online course – “Differentiating Instruction” http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd

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Contact information Nancy Thompson LPB-PBS TeacherLine Project Manager Louisiana Public Broadcasting 7733 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA  70810 225.767.4445 * Toll Free 1.800.272.8161 Ext. 4445 Fax 225.767.4299  Email: nthompson@lpb.org Gwendolyn P. Thomas Teacher-Facilitator of Technology St. Mary Parish School Board Office number: 337-836-9661, ext. 3102 Work cell number: 337-578-2845 Email: gthomas@stmary.k12.la.us