Introduction
Karen Goins EDIM 503
Background
I have been blessed to have been teaching for four years. Before becoming a teacher, I was a computer lab assistant for 6 1/2 years, some of this time was spent attending college at night. I taught first grade for one year and fourth grade for the past 3 years. I currently teach AIG students all subjects. I will be fortunate enough to teach my youngest son this year. This should be an interesting year. I look forward to the challenge.
Differentiated Technology
Having my technology background, I am very comfortable using, and teaching my students how to use it. There are several ways in which I have used technology to differentiate instruction. Being an educator in fourth grade, we have several writing prompts to complete each year. Our prompts required students to research their topic, therefore affording opportunity for them to work independently exploring many websites for accurate and useful information. A recent activity we completed was a digital scrapbook where they could add their own pictures from a field trip taken earlier in the year. Students had a choice of whether to use voiceover or create text to explain their trip. I have also used webquests on many occasions. Most of the activities I complete with technology are student choice unless it is a whole group activity.