1. Presented by April Coleman
Using Technology to Differentiate Instruction for Gifted & High Ability Learners
Presented by April Coleman

2. Did you know? Video What does this mean for students?
What does this mean for teachers?
What does this mean for our future?

3. “If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.” - John Dewey
“There can be infinite uses of the computer and of new age technology, but if the teachers themselves are not able to bring it into the classroom and make it work, then it fails.” Nancy Kassenbaum, U. S. Sentaor
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.” - Bill Gates

4. Characteristics of Gifted Students That Fit Well With Technology Instruction
Creativity
Higher order thinking
Speed in processing information
Prefers independent work
Interest in “adult” issues and problems
Risk-taking/adventurous behavior
“Big picture” thinking
Resistance to closure
Leadership skills
Verbal ability

5. How Technology Can Be Used to Differentiate Instruction:
Present academic topics in new, challenging ways
Explore interests
Teach process skills
Differentiation tool
Product development

6. What is Differentiation?
Teachers can differentiate
Content
Process
Product
According to a student’s
Readiness
Interests
Learning Style
(Tomlinson, 1999)

7. Technology Tools to Differentiate Content

8. Webquests
WebQuest - a learning activity during which learners read, analyze, and synthesize information using the World Wide Web. (Wikipedia)
Can be done independently or in small groups, where each student is given a job
Examples:
Ancient Architecture Webquest
Art Safari Webquest

9. Webquest Resources http://webquest.org/search/index.php

10. Online Databases & Content Resources
Thinkfinity (Verizon)
High quality search engine for lesson plans, interactives, and more!
Blue Web’n (AT&T)
High quality search engine for lesson plans, webquests, and more!
Discovery Education
Search for lessons and activities
Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators
Educational games and brain teasers
ALEX – lessons, websites, podcasts, & more!

11. Online Databases & Content Resources Continued...
Teach-nology
Search for thematic units, lessons, and activities
Webquests and cyber-starters (worksheet prompts)
A Different Place
Ready-made differentiated activities for gifted kids
Great for use in the regular classroom
Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page
A plethora of resources for gifted teachers, parents, and students
Activities for students, such as “Brain Boosters”

12. Organizing Websites: Social Bookmarking
Social bookmarking – saving links on a web-based program, in order to access them from any Internet-linked computer
Lists can be made public (accessible to anyone) or private (accessible to specified users)
An example using delicious.com

13. Online Video Resources
Teacher Tube
Great educational videos on many topics
Created by teachers and students
United Streaming
Offers a 30-day free trial
Alabama schools have a site license through APT Plus

14. Content Software Renzulli Learning Systems
Web-based software that develops a Learning Profile for each student, then leads them to high quality activities individualized to meet their abilities and interests
Offers a free trial
$40/student with a minimum of 100 students
Tom Snyder Productions (Scholastic)
Excellent software resources across educational topics
Reasonable prices for individual CDs or site licenses

15. Content Software Continued…
KidPix Deluxe
Enhanced student “paint” and drawing program
$19.99 per CD-ROM
TuxPaint is a similar FREE program!
Google Earth
Take students on virtual tours of the world!
Excellent FREE interdisciplinary tool

16. Virtual Field Trips
Take students around the world without ever leaving the classroom!
Museums
Geographic Regions
National Parks
Historic Sites & Landmarks
Example: Virtual Agriculture Field Trips
Find other Virtual Field Trips
Google LitTrips

17. Technology Tools to Differentiate Process: Teaching Process Skills, Communication, & Collaboration

18. Google Communication & Collaboration Tools
Google Docs – file creation, collaboration, and sharing
Google Groups – communication through threaded discussions, file sharing, and information posting
Google Calendar – scheduling and sharing capabilities
Google Sites – website template/application
Google Blogger – blog template/application

19. Create a Google Account
Go to
Click “Sign In” (top right corner).
Click on “Create an Account Now (below sign-in box).
Type your address.
Choose a password.
Select your location.
Word verification
Agree to terms of service.
Now, go to your to confirm your account.

20. Productive Thinking & Mind-Mapping
Ideas for use:
Productive Thinking Talent (brainstorming ideas)
Pre-writing
Creating a web of ideas
VUE Mindmap Example
Download VUE:
Free download from VUE website

21. Other Mind-Mapping Software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Insert tab
SmartArt icon
Open Source Software
MindMeister
FreeMind
XMIND
Science in Action Learning
Teachers
Workshops & Conferences
Professional Learning Communities
Students
Classroom

22. Survey Creation Students can create surveys to…
Conduct research
Gather public opinions
Use Forecasting Talent
Use Communication Talent
Free Web-Based Survey Creator:
Survey Monkey

23. Wordle Design tool used to create “word clouds”
Great integration with Communication Talent #1 – many, varied single words to describe something
Link to Wordle site

24. Technology Tools to Differentiate Products

25. Technology Tools for Communication & Product Development
Purchased Software
Web 2.0 Tools
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Publisher
Blogs
Wikis
PhotoStory 3
Video/Audio Editing
Survey Creation
Wordle
Social Networking
ePals

26. Microsoft Word Products
Product Ideas:
Book or e-book
Newsletter/Newspaper
Brochure
Award
Bulleted list
Letter/Card/Postcard
Calendar
Board or card game
Utilize design features to enhance creativity of documents
Example of a student-created Greek mythology newspaper

28. Microsoft Publisher
Excellent tool for creating visual publications using ready-made templates
More design features than MS Word
Product Ideas:
Newsletter/Newspaper
Brochure
Advertisement
Business card
Invitation
Menu
Greeting card
Website
Origami templates
Brochure Example
Newsletter Example
Example of a website created by a gifted resource teacher:

29. Example of a Student-Created Brochure
Created Using
Microsoft Publisher

30. Newsletter Created Using Publisher

31. Microsoft Excel Perform mathematical operations
Analyze scientific data
Create charts and graphs
Student-created pie chart for trash analysis

32. What Can We Reuse or Recycle?

33. Microsoft PowerPoint Create visual presentations
Integrate creative features: design schemes, hyperlinks, clip art, photos, and transitions
Excellent product choice for group work
Examples:
3rd Grade Student Group PowerPoint on Pollution
3rd Grade Students’ Recycling Project Plan

34. PhotoStory 3
FREE tool from Microsoft that allows students and teachers to create photo slideshows with music and text
Similar to PowerPoint
Very easy to use
Link to Download

35. Educational Blogs Ideas for teacher use: Ideas for student use:
Networking and personal knowledge sharing
Instructional tips for students
Assignments and homework posting
Annotated links
Ideas for student use:
Reflective or writing journals
Assignment submission and review
Dialogue for group work
E-portfolios
Excellent resource on blogs in education:

36. Educational Blogs Continued…
Free blog sites:
Blogger (Google)
Edublogs
Wordpress
Tumblr
Examples of educational blogs:
My 4th Graders’ Blog
Tumblr Example

37. Wikis “Wiki” – Hawaiian for “quick”
A wiki is a type of FREE website that is built easily and quickly.
Free wiki sites:
Wiki Created by 3rd Graders:

38. Digital Photography
Digital photography can be taught as an art-related unit.
Digital photos can add interest to a variety of technology presentations.
Picasa (Google) is a FREE editing software:
Features editing tools
Online photo album feature
Integrated with Blogger
Basic photo editing features

39. Videos Students can create short videos on curricular topics.
Materials needed: inexpensive video camera, computer, free video editing software.
Recommended video camera for school usage:
Pure Digital Flip Video
Download by plugging camera directly into USB port
Free video website - Animoto
Video Editing Software:
Microsoft MovieMaker
Mac iMovie

40. Podcasts An audio file created by someone on a specific topic
Materials needed:
Computer microphone or digital recorder
Free editing software Audacity
Great online EdTech: Focus on K-12 article on podcasting with how-to directions:

41. Social Networking
Social networks allow people to communicate about similar interests and share information.
Popular Social Networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Ning (private)
List of Social Networks in Education

42. ePals The Internet's largest global community of connected classrooms
Uses:
Connect with national and international students
View projects at other schools
Collaborate on projects
ePals Website

43. Start small, but start somewhere!
What Next?!
Do you ever feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin?
With technology and differentiation, the best advice I have heard is…
Start small, but start somewhere!

44. Helpful Tips for Integrating Technology:
Don’t reinvent the wheel! Utilize resources that have already been created.
Get organized! Start an online bookmark list in order to access favorite websites and add bookmarks from multiple computers. Try
Don’t feel that you have to be an expert before you can try a new technology tool with your students. Learn with and from your students as you try new things together.
Break down tasks into steps. Utilize how-to websites, lists, and directions when teaching students.

45. Top 3! Think about… ONE new thing you learned today…
ONE technology tool you want to further research…
And ONE new way you plan to integrate technology with your students this year.
Good luck! 

46. Contact me for more information!
Me:
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