Assessing Technology-Based Resources for Differentiation

Introduction

The way students learn, and teachers teach has changed drastically over the last two and half years. The Covid-19 pandemic has showed us how important it is that technology be integrated into the daily curriculum of our students. The benefits that technology had in the classroom is becoming increasingly obvious. For example, technology gives students easy access to information, accelerates learning, and enjoyable opportunities to apply what they've learned. It enables students to investigate new topics and better understand difficult concepts. Additionally, it makes it easier for teachers to differentiate activities for students of varying levels and academic abilities. Finally, technology allows for and increase in collaboration among teachers (How Important Is Technology in Education? Benefits, Challenges, and Impact on Students, 2020). As a seventh-grade teacher ELA and Social Studies teacher, I have a wide range of apps and programs that I use daily in my classroom. Some of my favorite programs are Brain Pop, Nearpod, and IXL. 


1.Brain Pop

• Brainpop is a web-based subscription program that provides students with short 2–10-minute videos on a variety of topics across subject areas. The videos are “hosted” and narrated by Tim and his robot friend, Moby. Each video starts with a letter asking a question about the topic at hand. Tim and Moby then respond to the letter while teaching about the topic. Throughout their response, they highlight key vocabulary and often other related topics. Also, within each video, the teacher has the option to turn on “pausing point” questions. One thing that I like about these is that I can chose the level of the questions. Each topic also has a short 10 question quiz related to the video. In addition to the video and the quiz, each topic often has other “assessment” options such as Venn Diagrams, primary source activities for social studies, gamified assessments, and related readings. 

• In my Social Studies classroom, I will often use the videos as an introduction to the topic we are studying. 

• Another great thing about BrainPOP is that when assigned via a school’s LMS, it can be individualized for students. For example, I can choose to assign student A the video with 7th grade level pausing point questions, the quiz, and the challenge activities. If I know that student B is below level, I can assign him 4th grade level pausing points, the quiz, and one of the gamified assessments. 

2. Nearpod

• Through interactive virtual lessons and group discussions, Nearpod helps teachers to engage and evaluate students. To improve the learning experience, teachers can manually import lessons in a variety of formats such as PowerPoint and Google Slides and customize them with polls, boards, quizzes, and matching pairs activities just to name a few. They can also copy and edit pre-existing lessons in the database. The interactive style of Nearpod allows students to be actively engaged and participatory in the lesson while providing the teacher with valuable data. 

• They are frequently enhancing and developing new lessons. One great enhancement is the ELL specific lessons. These lessons mimic those of the same topic but include additional supports and vocabulary resources. This is one of my favorite aspects of this program. 

• I have found that Nearpod is a great way for me to get information and data on my ELLs, SPED, and overall quiet students who are hesitant to participate in class. Through the polls, quizzes, and open-ended questions, I can gauge their understanding without having them having to speak out in class. 

3. IXL

• IXL is a website that contains thousands of practice questions and modules in math, language, social studies, science, and Spanish that cover nearly all the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for grades K-12 and some of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for grades 2-8. There are games that cover the fundamentals as well as high school lessons that cover specific subjects.

• Students begin with a diagnostic assessment. They are then assigned lessons and skills based on their score. Lessons are grouped by both grade level and topic. The program also provides sample weekly plans for Math and ELA and skill based plans for Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies. 

• In addition to using the auto assign function, teachers can also manually assign lessons and topics to students based on their deficits. 

Student Ownership of Learning
When it comes to student ownership of learning, both Brain Pop and IXL do an excellent job. Through the gamified lessons in Brain Pop, students can make their own movies or learning maps for the given content and topic. In IXL, the learning path is customized to each student based on his or her deficits. As students master skills and complete lessons, they are awarded prizes. 


Reference:
BrainPOP Review for Teachers | Common Sense Education. (2012). Common Sense Education. https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/brainpop

IXL Review for Teachers | Common Sense Education. (2016). Common Sense Education. https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/ixl

How Important Is Technology in Education? Benefits, Challenges, and Impact on Students. (2020, June 25). American.edu; School of Education - American University. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/technology-in-education

Nearpod Review for Teachers | Common Sense Education. (2013). Common Sense Education. https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/nearpod

 

 

 


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