Thing #5 Differentiated Instruction and Diverse Learning

Differentiated Learning Assignment

In reading the key elements that guide differentiation, there are a number of them that I incorporate into my classes:

Pair and group learning:  I have individual and group whiteboards that are used for pair and group work. I find them especially helpful for multi-step processes (like proofs in geometry or completing the square in Algebra 2). Also, students often work in pairs to complete in-class problems that demonstrate the concepts that were introduced earlier in the class.

Identify Key Concepts - students are shown the concepts visually on the Brightlink - often in word, picture and number forms. Examples are given for them to explore (with the ability to ask their neighbor or me) and then the concepts are again discussed.  The following day, key concepts are reviewed along with the homework that was assigned.  Several days later, the concept is again reviewed in the warmups.

Provide multiple media and formats - my presentations are digital, there are worksheets that go along with the material, additional "reteaching" worksheets are provided online, concepts are presented in words, pictures (when possible) and numbers. We use whiteboards individually, in pairs and in groups.

I give "mini quizzes" on key concepts that allow the students to focus on one concept, check their understanding without a major impact on their grade.

Diverse Learning Assignment

Visiting the Using Technology to Support Diverse Learners, I found several math manipulative sites including http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html and the NCTM site (Illuminations) that provide interactive visual representations of math concepts.  I found several on the Pythagorean theorem - several students are having difficulty doing the various calculations - they would benefit by spending 15 or 20 minutes with the application. There are also a number of students who have trouble with transformations that could use these digital manipulatives to see and understand those concepts. I have several students who have difficulty visualizing spatial orientations and the movement of objects who will benefit from using those sites. I plan on assigning specific and open-ended tasks that they can use to explore those transformations (rotations, glides and reflections).

Universal Design for Learning Assignment

I visited the Universal Design for Learning: Strategies and Tools and clicked on the Math Support section. After exploring several of the tools, I took a longer look at the "That Quiz" tool.  I found that it would be an exellent tool for my lower level Geometry students to choose topics and choose the level of difficulty.  The problems were appropriate and accurate - they come in "quizzes" of 10 questions each and, while timed, allow students to work at their own pace. This would be a great computer lab tool or an independent study tool.

Text-to-Audio Conversion

Once you get going, it's hard to stop. I tried NetTrekker, Natural Reader and AT&T's demo.  AT&T had the best pronunciation of math terms and also had a feedback area for getting pronunciations corrected. (We'll see if they do it.) I can use this in my lessons as an emphasis area - instead of me reading a theorem or key point, the software can do it. I see it as one more way to change up the pace of the presentation and keep students engaged. I found that you could change the pronunciation a little bit in NetTrekker by changing the spelling of the words involved (specifically "congruent").
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