Nadine Chang-Dunkley

Prof. Szymanski

EDU 225

Jan 17, 2015

Differentiating Instruction through Technology of the Comprehensive Classroom

Technology Plan

Todays child is very different from the children of yesteryear. The learning is
also very different and what they are learning and being exposed to is a whole new world
featuring technology.
In this new era technology is current, relevant, growing and changing everyday. The
classrooms of today are have done away with the old styles of using a blackboard and just
writing notes and everyone just doing the same thing and if you get it good and if you
dont you need to try harder. Education is developed in a new way and a new way of
thinking and operating.
Educators of today know that every child is different, and they all dont learn the
same way. Research has made us aware of different learning styles and teaching styles
and temperament. All children want to learn, but they need teachers to understand how
they learn and not just give up on them and discourage them from learning.
Technology has changed education forever and for better.
Using technology to differentiate instruction has given opened up a world of great
possibilities for students and teachers alike.
Teachers are more engaged with their students now and have the opportunities to expand
their learning through technology. There are so many different programs, apps, live

streams and feeds. Technology allows teachers to design lessons that fit each particular
student making learning more individualized. Technology makes it possible for students
to learn at there own pace. The differentiating instruction is geared to teaching the
student and allowing them to focus on their needs and therefore it follows the ISTEs
standards. The result proves to the teacher and the student their ability to learn,
understand and effectively use computers and technology. "Students demonstrate a
sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations" (ISTE, 2007).
Another way to differentiate instruction is by using Student-centered learning,
which allows students to do activities that promote interactive engagement, individual
responsibility, and self-assessment. As students become more familiar with the
technology they build and gain confidence within themselves and a sense of
responsibility. Using the devices such as IPads and kindles to learn how to do math
problems, search for information and or draw and even learn music these become a fun
and exciting ways of learning that dont make students feel confined or left out.
Technology has a way of getting your attention and keeping you more focused in a fun
and more individualized way of learning.
Children are open to learning and their minds are imaginative and creative. An
educators responsibility is to assess each student, to see how he or she attains
information, what makes him or her tick and what turns him or her off.
When a child is not engaged or does understand the material, they will not be able
to perform to any standard.

It is by ISTE Standards that a teacher is to Facilitate and inspire student learning

and creativity. (ISTE 2008)
Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and
inventiveness (ISTE, 2008).
This being said it is very necessary that teachers are current with the new
technologies, devices and systems and how they work. There are many different tools,
apps and devices to be used and teachers need to attend technology workshops and
continuously receive proper training in order to keep up with the ever growing and
changing world of technology.
The educator has a great task at hand not only to teach, but to also implement higher
learning, create lesson plans fitting to each student for development, progress, proper
understanding and effective use the tools. The digital age is here to stay and it is the way
of the 21st Century. Every school should have technology as a part of the curriculum and
it should be a mandatory class. The way of the world is changing and the competition is
getting great, in order to even be considered to compete with the rest of the world our
students must be taught to how to use and master the technological world.
When technology is available, students have an unlimited number of resources at their
fingertips." (Tackvic, 429)

References:
ISTE. (2007). ISTE Standards Students. ISTE Standards. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-S_PDF.pdf
ISTE. (2008). ISTE Standards Students. ISTE Standards. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdfStandardsT
2008 International Society for Technology in Education.
http://technology-in-elementary-classrooms.blogspot.com

Tackvic, Charlene. (2012). Digital storytelling: using technology to spark creativity. The
Educational Forum, 76 426-429.