Ten Tools to Support Differentiation
1. Using Google Slides for Activities in Seesaw
Use Google Slides to create task cards. Create tiered activities in Seesaw and send them to specific students depending on their ZPD. Add them to the school Seesaw library for your team to use.2. Audio Feedback with Talk & Comment
Differentiation is intricately tied to assessment for learning and the feedback process. Use the Chrome Extension Talk & Comment to give your students feedback about their progress, or for them to reflect upon their learning in an audio file format.3. Interactive Assignments with HyperDocs
Hyperdocs are created by using Google Apps to create interactive documents for students. They are a great way to be direct student learning, give them access to multimedia sources for them to respond and create, all within the document or slideshow. Check out these templates and samples for math, reading/writing, science and other lessons. To learn more about Hyperdocs, visit the Hyperdocs website (you will most likely need a VPN to access) or this blog post.
Katie Siemer http://talktechwithme.com/2017/04/11/hyperdocs-for-edtech-pd/
4. Interactive Videos EdPuzzle
EdPuzzle allows you to edit and overlay some interactive features over web embedded video clips. These interactive features include: audio notes, text notes, quiz questions and links. The app also allows you to distribute a link to your students quickly through Google Classroom and allows you to see your students progress through the video. Click here further information to see how you can use EdPuzzle in your classroom.
5. Interactive Learning Menus
It's all about student choice with learning menus that allow you to differentiate for students to demonstrate their learning or complete specific tasks. Learning menus have been around for a long time in a paper format, but with digital tools, you can bring menus to life with interactivity and creation. Check out this Pinterest board for ideas.Novel Study Tic Tac Toe Choice menu
More ways to provide choice in student creation tasks: Give students CHOICE in how they express their learning. This may or may not involve tech.
7. Scaffold to make text accessible to all learners.
Rewordify allows you to copy and paste text (or a whole website url) and "rewordify" it so it's easier to read. Rewordify will highlight challenging words and allow the reader to scroll over them to see definitions. Or, it will replace the challenging words with more simple synonyms. You can change the settings to fit the needs of your learners.
NewsELA and Smithsonian Tribune provide informational texts that you can level down based on Lexile. Students read the same article, but at different reading levels. NewsELA also includes text sets of thematically-related articles, sorts articles by reading skills they would be likely to support (ie. central idea, text structure, point of view, arguments & claims).
8. Google Forms Exit Tickets
Did you know that there are templates for all things Google? Go to Google Forms and choose the Exit Ticket template to get started on creating a way to assess learning and differentiate for your students for tomorrow's lesson.
9. Padlet
Padlet is like a virtual corkboard for your classroom but supercharged! Start with an empty page and then have students upload a video, record an interview, respond to the question, or upload a document and watch the Padlet come to life. Your whole class can contribute their work on a single Padlet in different ways, which updates in real time. Padlets can be used for assessing student understanding of concepts, peer learning, collaborative learning, gauging students knowledge/perceptions/attitudes, and collating research/resources on a topic. Check out 30 creative ways to use Padlet for teachers and students.
Look at all the ways students can demonstrate learning!
10. Video Responses with Flipgrid
Flipgrid is a free tool that allows teachers to upload discussion-style questions and students to answer by adding video responses. Flipgrid helps make student thinking visible, gives every student a voice and an easy way to share work. It's a great tool to engage and differentiate for your students. Check out the Educator's Guide to Flipgrid 3.0.
5th graders using Flipgrid to discuss math concepts with others from around the world.
