Blog Entry 3

Blog Entry 3: Differentiating Instruction through Technology
Differentiating instruction is defined as, the planning and delivery of classroom

instruction that considers the varied levels of readiness, learning needs, and interests of each
student" (Differentiating Instruction Using Technology, 2008, p.21). Differentiating instruction
through technology can support learning in the classroom for any type of learning style such as,
visual, auditory and even kinesthetic, as well as students with learning disabilities, attention or
behavioral difficulties. It is very important that teachers become familiar with the different types
of technology tools that can be used. Teachers need to be able to evaluate them in order to learn
if they will be appropriate and will accommodate the needs of each student in the classroom.
Teachers need to assess their students strengths and weaknesses when deciding what types of
educational technology tools they are going to implement into the classroom. Using assistive
technology tools such as, PowerPoint Software, Kidspiration Software and talking word
processing software can enhance differentiating instruction in the classroom and provide all
students with an opportunity to learn.
Technology to Differentiate Instruction
PowerPoint Software:
I would use PowerPoint software to support differentiated instruction and enhance the
lesson for visual learners, auditory learners as well as those with attention difficulties. It can help
students stay focused and on task, absorb and process information, interact and communicate
what they have learned and follow instructions. According to the University of Central Florida
(2014), some advantages to using PowerPoints are that they can be used to engage different
learning styles, be visually enhancing, increase students focus and student collaboration. When
students create PowerPoint presentations it brings what they have learned alive and shows that
they have understood the material. Through the use of images, text, color, audio and video
students can express themselves creatively.
Kidspiration Software:
I would use Kidspiration Software to support differentiated instruction in the classroom
as a way to enhance, strengthen and inspire visual learners, kinesthetic learners as well as those
with learning and attention difficulties. This tool can be used to facilitate all students creativity,
critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills in a fun engaging way. This tool
allows students to see reading and writing information along with images in order to grasp the
information. Students can then take information for a writing project and organize it by creating
an outline, mind map or graphs independently. By providing multiple mediums for
representation, expression and engagement, Inspiration Software tools help students visually
organize and outline ideas to structure writing and improve communication and expression
(Overview, 2015). Kidspiration software can be used in multitude of ways to facilitate any type
of learning style or disability.
Talking word processing software:
I would use talking word processing software (speech to text) to support differentiated
instruction in the classroom to aid students who find it difficult to stay focused and comprehend
information when reading. It can also be used to support student who struggle with writing.
This teaching strategy can improve students' attitudes toward reading, increase engagement in
reading, improve vocabulary, and increase comprehension, as well as improve their
performance (Roberts, Takahashi, Hye-Jin, & Stodden, 2012, p. 40). With the use of this tool
students can search the internet to learn and absorb more information by hearing the information
being read aloud. They can record and edit their own writing to improve writing fluency. This
tool will impact how they learn definitions of words, correct spelling and proper grammar.
Pros and Cons:
Some pros that are considered when using differentiating instruction in the classroom, are
that it allows teachers to use creativity to expand on different ways of teaching students. Most
classrooms contain a variety of students with different backgrounds and learning styles, so it is a
positive method to help children learn, achieve and succeed. A differentiated classroom offers
multiple ways for students to access content, to process and make sense of the concepts and
skills, and to develop products that demonstrate their learning (De Jesus, 2012, p. 9). Students
work at their own pace and become more motivated, comfortable in their environment and want
to participate in learning. Some cons that are believed to be associated with differentiating
technology through instruction are that it takes up a lot of the teachers time and energy to
prepare materials and evaluate the students individual learning needs. Focusing on individual
student needs can make the whole class suffer. You can also find negativity with group projects.
With advanced students doing easier assignments and weaker students tending to let their
group-mates do most of the work, Differentiation Instruction is not the academic plus that it is
heralded as (Bennett, 2012, Para. 21). Teachers can tend to focus on the struggling learners
thinking that the strong students do not need differentiating instruction.
Concluding Paragraph:
Differentiated instruction, supported with technology, can be successful depending on the
teachers efforts in their readiness and willingness to put in the work that is required to enhance
and facilitate all student learning types, skill sets and levels. It is a teachers job to teach every
student to the best of their ability and to instruct every student in the classroom to become
successful learners and achieve their learning goals. The positive outcomes of differentiated
instruction far outweigh the negatives.
References
Bennett, J. (2010) Differentiated instruction: Easier in theory than in practice.
Retrieved from:
http://southorange.patch.com/groups/opinion/p/differentiated-instructioneasier-in-theroy-than-in-practice
De Jesus, O. N. (2012). Differentiated instruction: Can differentiated instruction
provide success for all learners? National Teacher Education Journal, 5(3), 511. Retrieved from: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=ehh&AN=84313770&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Differentiating Instruction Using Technology: Meeting the Diverse Needs of Students.
(2008). Special Education Technology Practice, 10(1), 21-26. Retrieved from:
http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
Effective Use of PowerPoint (2014). Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.
Retrieved from:
http://fctl.ucf.edu/TeachingAndLearningResources/Technology/PowerPoint/inde
x.php
Overview, (2015). Retrieved from Inspiration website:
http://www.inspiration.com/Curriculum-Integration/special-needs
Roberts, K. D., Takahashi, K., Hye-Jin, P., & Stodden, R. A. (2012). Supporting
struggling readers in secondary school science classes. Teaching Exceptional
Children, 44(6), 40-48. Retrieved from: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

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Blog Entry 3: Differentiating Instruction through Technology

Differentiating instruction is defined as, the planning and delivery of classroom

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