Differentiated Instruction and Technology
"Every child in America needs 21st century knowledge and skills to succeed as effective citizens, workers, and leaders in the 21st century. There is a profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need in typical 21st century communities and workplaces. To successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges, and a globally competitive workforce, U.S. schools must align classroom environments with real-world environments by infusing 21st century skills into their teaching and learning" (Pearson Education, 2013).
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- Computer programs such as “Natural Reader” allow texts to be read out loud from any application, helping to meet the needs of different learning styles.
- Sites such as “epals” opens the classroom to a global community, enabling students to interact with other students from other classrooms around the world.
"More than eight in 10 companies currently use some form of cloud solution, and more than half plan to increase cloud investments by 10 percent or more this year, the survey found. And the cloud is not in play only with big companies; more than half of micro (one to nine employees) and small (10 to 99 employees) businesses use cloud-based business productivity applications" (Smith, 2012).
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Google Apps can allow for collaboration within the classroom and continued collaboration outside of the classroom.
- There are several apps via Google that can be utilized in so many aspects in the differentiated classroom
- Google Drive offers students the chance to create an online portfolio
- Blogger enables students to create an online journal, responding to questions posed by the teacher, and then being responsible for mediating the discussions that followed.
- Forms can be utilized to create groups based on interest, readiness, and learning styles
According to Google, more than 5 million businesses reported using Google Apps in 2012 (Hardy, 2012).
According to Google, 7 of the 8 Ivy League schools have gone to Google and 72 of this year’s top 100 ranked schools, according to the 2013 U.S. News and World Report ranking, have also gone to Google (Schneider, 2012).
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Tablet and Smartphone Apps for education may be used to provide students with additional assistance, enhanced content, or more challenging scenarios, depending on the needs of the teacher and the students.
"92 percent of Fortune 500 companies are using tablets as part of their IT infrastructure" (Forbes, 2012).
- Smart phone applications such as the "stocks" app can be used to help students easily access their saved information, while also bringing the learning environment outside of school
- SAT and ACT question generator apps allow students to practice problem sets in designated subject areas
- Flash card apps help students to develop study skills
"92 percent of Fortune 500 companies are using tablets as part of their IT infrastructure" (Forbes, 2012).
References:
Forbes. (2012, September 12). Tablets are going to work. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/thesba/2012/09/12/tablets-are-going-to-work/2/
Hardy, Q. (2012, December 25). Google apps challenging microsoft in business. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/technology/google-apps-moving-onto-microsofts-business-turf.html?_r=0
Pearson Education. (2013). Empowering 21st century learners with results that matter. Retrieved from http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZjZc
Schneider, M. (2012, September 13). A new way of doing things on campus. [Web log]. Retrieved from http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-new-way-of-doing-things-on-campus.html
Smith, N. (2012, July 25). Why more businesses are using cloud computing. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/48319526
Forbes. (2012, September 12). Tablets are going to work. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/thesba/2012/09/12/tablets-are-going-to-work/2/
Hardy, Q. (2012, December 25). Google apps challenging microsoft in business. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/technology/google-apps-moving-onto-microsofts-business-turf.html?_r=0
Pearson Education. (2013). Empowering 21st century learners with results that matter. Retrieved from http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZjZc
Schneider, M. (2012, September 13). A new way of doing things on campus. [Web log]. Retrieved from http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-new-way-of-doing-things-on-campus.html
Smith, N. (2012, July 25). Why more businesses are using cloud computing. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/48319526