Laureate Education (2010) promoted how customizing instruction and
using technology are encouraged to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Furthermore, Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2010) suggested that the tenets of the
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can also be deemed beneficial to diverse
learners by customizing and personalizing learning activities to address
diverse learners. Also, digital media are a key factor when implementing UDL.
Therefore, I chose to discuss how using the “Think Through Math” instructional
solution found at http://www.thinkthroughmath.com/ could be
used to implement alternative activities and assessments for a Math lesson plan
design to help students learn simple multiplication.
My original lesson plan involved the
students completing a worksheet that contained several simple multiplication
problems. The instructions told the students to solve each problem and show
their work. However, the goal is to take it one step further and meet the needs
of students with differing abilities. To meet the needs of these diverse learners,
I will have the students work on their simple multiplication skills by
completing simple multiplication learning activities using the Think Through
Math instructional solution. This instructional math solution is an adaptive
online math intervention that transitions students to the rigor of common core
state standards and prepares them for math subjects like simple multiplication.
This website meets the needs of my students because for one, it uses different scenarios
to meet the needs of students with different backgrounds. Secondly, it is hands
on so it meets the needs of students who prefer to learn by doing. Next, it
uses intrinsic and extrinsic motivational strategies to meet the needs of
students who have difficulty focusing. Finally, it provides challenging
activities to meet the needs of students who require enrichment.
The only additional information that I need to meet the needs of
my students is to ensure that I receive the proper professional development to
use this website. Therefore, I will contact the Think Through Math leadership
and ensure that my professional development will include, as the website
suggests, data and actionable reports, on demand videos, instructional
strategies, and even a classroom coach if needed.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J.,
& Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom
use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc.
(Producer). (2010). Meeting students' needs with technology, part 1. Retrieved
from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_2651012_1&content_id=_9381430_1
Craig--
ReplyDeleteI browsed through the website and it is a great resource! The wonderful thing about math is that it seems to have a variety of online resources that students can use in order to fill in gaps and figure out where to go from here. To offer you an additional strategy, FASTT MATH is a wonderful resource that is offered through Scholastic. It does require a school or district subscription but it is well worth it. The program assess where students are in their math abilities and then it allows them to work through the areas in which they struggle. It gives them lessons that are appropriate to their levels and allows them to progress as they become more proficient. Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer (2009) discuss the idea that technology can used as a supplement to direct instruction. Any of these online math programs can be used just for that. I have a SMART Board in my classroom and for my remedial math and reading class, we put the games on the board and allow students to come up and play the role of the teacher, and lead the game (or the lesson). They love being in charge of the lesson, and the students are engaged in the activities on the screen. It is also a great way to differentiate your instruction and allow the students who may be past what you are working on at that point, lead the group in their learning. Have you ever used individual student instruction with your students? Being elementary students, it would give them a look at what it is like to be in your shoes and maybe even allow them to develop as leaders!
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Thanks Jessica!!I browsed through the FASTT MATH and that is definitely a resource that I will put in my tool box. I like that fact that it assesses where students are. As far as the SMART Board, that's one resource that my wife and I are working to acquire at our school. If we are fortunately enough to get them, I'll keep in mind how you use them to engage students. Since I'm not a real teacher, just a researcher, I haven't used individualized instruction as a teacher. However, I agree with your conclusion that it would give them a look at what it is like to be in my shoes and develop them as leaders. Thanks for the response!!
DeleteCraig
Craig,
DeleteWhat a unique perspective on education you bring to the table! Being able to research and scope the variety of resources that we have available to us as educators must be both interesting and overwhelming. Every year as technology grows and changes, I find there are many members of my staff who grow more fearful Do you find that a lot in your research? Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer (2009) discuss multiple times throughout the book that teachers must be confident in themselves and their abilities within the classroom and with technology. I work with a lot of older teachers who fear computers, and sometimes have a hard time just turning the thing on! I love helping them, but it make me nervous that their students are missing out on the abilities and opportunities that technology has to offer!
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Hello Jessica,
DeleteI feel your pain. Yes both in my research and personal experience at the elementary school that I'm doing my reseearch at, many teachers are not comfortable using technology, especially Web 2.0 technologies like blogs, wikis, podcast, etc. Therefore, my wife who has just been assigned as the Technology Coordinator and myself as a researcher/volunteer plan to provide the technology literate teachers with the latest technologies and use baby steps with the teachers who are not comfortable. I can see your frustration with trying to do this by yourself. My wife is lucky to have me help and even that may not be enough. In any case, our goal is to reach as many as we can and hoepefully we find more volunteers, provoke more interest amongst the older teachers, and find more resources that will encourage all teachers to maximize the use of different technologies. It's going to be a busy year for me next school year because I can see myself spending a lot of time with both the techology literate and illiterate. However, I guarantee you by the end of the summer, we'll have a plan that includes getting the most out of every teacher no matter where their technology comfortability lies. Thanks for the question, good luck, keep the faith and most of all, I recommend developing a plan over the summer to maximize the use of your training and technology use!
Craig
Thanks Jessica!!I browsed through the FASTT MATH and that is definitely a resource that I will put in my tool box. I like that fact that it assesses where students are. As far as the SMART Board, that's one resource that my wife and I are working to acquire at our school. If we are fortunately enough to get them, I'll keep in mind how you use them to engage students. Since I'm not a real teacher, just a researcher, I haven't used individualized instruction as a teacher. However, I agree with your conclusion that it would give them a look at what it is like to be in my shoes and develop them as leaders. Thanks for the response!!
ReplyDeleteCraig