Differentiation Via Technology

Differentiation is something that is vital in every classroom.  As educators, we are challenged with a wide variety of learners in our classrooms, which change each year.  We are always looking for ways to teach more effectively and meet the needs of each individual student.  When reviewing the articles for Voice Thread this week, it became apparent that it is an excellent tool to help students who were not eager to learn or have a distaste for school.  These articles led me to research in regards to using technology to differentiate instruction.  I found an article that lists multiple websites which can assist teachers in helping students of all learning abilities by engaging the students in new and creative ways.  The websites are broken up by subject area and each have a brief description listed.  I found this literature helpful in my continued search for new resources for my classroom.

Are there any sites that you recently learned about?  Do you use technology to differentiate instruction in the classroom?

Social Media In and For the Classroom

Social media can create a lot of controversy in any school.  Many administrators and even parents are reluctant for teachers to incorporate these types of websites into daily classroom assignments and routines.  Today posted an article that discusses social media within the classroom.  The article presents ideas and examples that show the positive aspects of social media- there are many interesting and convincing points in this piece.

Additionally, the article introduces the reader to a teacher's blog.  Her blog is full of great ideas that other teachers can tweak to fit their own classroom needs.  I can't tell you how many ideas I have gotten from Pinterest and Instagram- why can't we encourage our kids to use these sites as an outlet or creative place to find and alter ideas to serve their own specific purposes?

Benefits of Using Glogster

While googling Glogster I found a librarian's website which listed some benefits of using this learning tool.  Her site provides a detailed explanation of how Glogster can help students and teachers in a school setting.  The writer discusses increased literacy, implementation of standards, and engagement as some positive attributes.

As I continued my search I found Glogster's blog.  I think this is a great resource for finding ideas on how to creatively and effectively implement this site.  There is an impressive list of ideas that are very interesting- I have to say I would have never thought of many of them myself!  Isn't it always nice to see a group of people work together to build ideas for the learning and school communities around them?!

Banned Books

Our weekly readings really got me thinking about banned books.  I am appalled by how many books are deemed inappropriate for school.  I googled "banned books" and the results are endless.  Some of the justifications are ridiculous.  Additionally, it is discouraging to see how many people are okay with ignoring so many social issues that are displayed in these texts.  I found an article posted by the New York Public Library which details several books that are currently banned in a variety of locations.  The explanations are interesting.  It appears as though some people want children to believe we live in a society where nothing can go wrong.  We cannot discuss past failures or anything that can cause others to feel uncomfortable.  I think it is sad that the solution being presented is to shelter students from this material.  What happens when they discover that society has its ups and downs?  That the world is not always perfect?  That people experience hate and discrimination?  Though these are not things we must dwell on constantly, shouldn't they be aware that these things exist?  Are we properly preparing them for "the real world" if we are safeguarding their every move?  I do think there needs to be a common ground that is met and that many curriculum building decisions should be based on age, location, and "appropriateness," however I also think we can be shortchanging our students by pretending certain elements of our society don't exist.

Do you incorporate any frequently banned books in your classroom?  If so, how do you handle the challenging material at hand?