Differentiation with Technology

 

 The use of technology has become an enormous tool that was introduced in a more frequent manner since the pandemic. This made it challenging for educators who have little to no experience incorporating it into the classroom as a whole. However, once teachers grasp the necessary adjustments needed to accommodate for the new learning experience, finding suitable outlets became the next challenge. Many teachers strive to finding technology tools that will benefit and differentiate each students online learning experience. Not only is this a priority, but students also need an outlet where global awareness and diverse cultural perspectives are represented.

The three technologies used within the 3-Day Unit plan created focused mainly on helping students with their phonemic and language abilities. These three tools were Get Epic, Lalilo, and Prodigy. However, only one tool allows students to explore both global awareness and diverse cultural perspectives, and this would be Get Epic. The website known as Get Epic incorporates both of these by allowing students to explore their interests relating to different parts of the world. Through this portal, students can search any global or fdiverse cultural perspective they are interested in and have items read to them. Whether students are interested in reading stories written by a diverse set of American or authors from other countries, students are able to explore different experiences than what they are accustomed too (Fresno Pacific University, 2018). This is the primary reason why student constantly request access due to them having the ability to explore their interests and learn something new they may never experience.

The second portal supports cultural diversity which is Prodigy. This outlet focuses on creating a game that incorporates equity, diversity, and inclusion (Truong, 2020). Prodigy prides itself on adding ethnically diverse names to choose from to giving students the ability to personalize their avatars to look like them (Truong, 2020). Not only does this outlet respect the cultural diversity of its users, but it also allows students to experience different perspectives of earning items. For example, students need to collect iron and wood to be able to gain gold to purchase their special items for their next adventure. This is part of the charm of using Prodigy because students have to odd work to gain money to complete missions.

The use of these two tools brings not only global awareness and diverse cultural perspectives but incorporate differentiations through technology. These tools gain the students interest not only through their vast subject content available, but through incorporating unique features that are similar to the students personally. Both Get Epic and Prodigy were previously included within the lesson plan to allow students to have technology time to explore their interests of both past authors introduced in class or feel included within the gamified environments. These tools can easily be incorporated within whole or small group activities due to having the student’s interest. However, the primary use during the lesson is during the small group activities to allow students an equal opportunity of access all stations within a 20-minute timeframe. In conclusion, educators are constantly searching to find new grade-level appropriate technology tools that use differentiational strategies, global awareness, and diverse cultural perspectives within the classroom environment. This can be challenging when servicing the younger grade-levels due to higher complexity of skills needed to comprehend the topics.

References

Fresno Pacific University. (2018). What is Global Awareness and Why Does it Matter. Fresno Pacific 

    University Continuing Education. Retrieved from https://ce.fresno.edu/news/what-is-global-                    awareness-and-why-does-it-matter/ 

Lynch, M. (2017). 9 Apps For Teaching Global Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity. The Tech Edvocate. 

    Retrieved from https://www.thetechedvocate.org/9-apps-teaching-global-cultural-awareness-               sensitivity/

Truong, D. (2020). 7 Ways to Support Diversity in the classroom [With Examples]. Prodigy. Retrieved     

    from https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/diversity-in-the-classroom/