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Differentiation Self-Assessment |
The differentiation self-assessment helps prepare teachers to use Technology Literacy projects to create accommodations for all learners.
See the differentiation self-assessment:
Microsoft Word* | PDF |
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Differentiation Overview
Technology Literacy projects can be used to help provide an appropriate learning environment for students with diverse backgrounds and abilities. Tomlinson (1995, 2005) points out that all students are different in three ways: readiness to learn, interests, and preferred mode of learning. These differences create challenges, but they also open opportunities that teachers can use to improve learning for all students. Teachers can differentiate the content that students learn, the process used to learn the content, and the product that demonstrates learning.
Rose and Meyer (2002) argue that technology provides an unprecedented opportunity to differentiate content, process, and product. “By virtue of one essential feature—flexibility—digital media surpass traditional media in their ability to meet diverse students’ varied needs in a variety of instructional contexts.” Teachers can take advantage of the flexibility of technology tools and resources to differentiate Technology Literacy projects.
Teach Technology Literacy provides helpful information on strategies and techniques for differentiating Technology Literacy projects to meet the individual needs of all learners. For the purposes of planning and management, consider three important groups of students: students with special needs, gifted and talented students, and second language learners.
Students with Special Needs >
Efforts to provide the least restrictive learning environment possible for students with special needs have created more heterogeneous classrooms. Technology Literacy projects can be used to provide opportunities for students with special needs to work with appropriate concepts and technology tools, and in groups of peers with a range of backgrounds and abilities.
Gifted and Talented Students >
Funding constraints often limit the ability of schools to provide programs specifically for gifted and talented students. Technology Literacy projects can be used to provide opportunities for gifted and talented students to work with advanced concepts and technology tools, and to learn important communication and collaboration skills in groups of peers with a range of backgrounds and abilities.
Second Language Learners >
The rapid pace of globalization in the 21st century puts more second language learners with diverse cultural backgrounds in classrooms. Technology Literacy projects can be used to provide opportunities for second language learners to practice and apply new language skills individually and in groups of peers with a range of language and cultural backgrounds.
Differentiation References >
Teachers can find more information about research on effective strategies and techniques for differentiating technology-based projects in these sources.
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