Differentiation and Technology

This chapter is full of information on how to differentiate instruction, group students appropriately, and use technology for the classroom. First, I have to start by stating that I learned so much about technology! There are a lot of technology names that have always intimidated me. Although, I am pretty young and new to teaching, I can be a little traditional when it comes to technology. I finally found out what RSS stands for as stated in Slavin (2012), “Real Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary. RSS lets users know when something new is posted on the blog” (p.276). Another topic that I read more about in this chapter was how students can use technology to benefit them academically. Towards the end of the school year I started getting more comfortable with my students using technology. My students used a website called e-class to communicate with each other. I would post a discussion topic and the students would then start a thread in response to that discussion topic. In addition, my students would respond to each other in a kind and open way. I underestimated my students at first because I thought that they were too young to do such a task. Those second graders sure proved me wrong!

Differentiated instruction and appropriate grouping of students is super important to be able to help students reach their maximum potential. Akeyla Peele mentioned in her discussion post the importance of making connections with the students in your classroom. Making connections allows for children to realize that we care about them and their success. It also helps them realize that we care about things that are also important to them. I believe that appropriately grouping students helps them feed off of each other in a way that is encouraging and beneficial to the child. Slavin (2012) states, “Regrouping is a form of ability grouping often used in the elementary grades. Students stay in mixed-ability classes most of the day but are assigned to reading and or math classes based on performance” (p.257).  I have not seen this used that much in the past but I do think that the idea could be beneficial for our students. This idea will help students feel comfortable around other students which will in return deepen their motivation to succeed.

Something that I found negative in this chapter is the idea of pull-outs under title one.   This does not benefit our students as much as we think it does. I know from first-hand experience that communication between the general teacher and the pull out teacher is not always the best which can negatively impact the child.

I love how this chapter integrated the ideas of differentiation and technology that help our at-risk students succeed. This is definitely a chapter that I will reference back to in the future.

References

Slavin, R.E. (2012). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (10^th ed.). Boston:Pearson.