Principal Walder's Monday Memo
For the Week of November 19
Differentiating Instruction and Technology Integration
As I shared this past week at PLCs, technology can never replace good teaching, but it can help make our lives as educators easier by enhancing engagement or expanding the curriculum for students. Differentiation using technology through programs like Khan Academy or Prodigy for Math allows students to be exposed to new materials that may scare or frustrate the student at first. It is up to us to show them how to problem solve through those issues. Khan Academy especially teaches the use of video to learn. According to the Pew Research Center's March 2018 Report, YouTube is the most frequently used online technology in America across all age bands. So, although we are using Khan Academy to expose students to new math skills, it is also showing students how to use video effectively to learn.
Differentiation within your classroom can be time-consuming if you are making all the manipulatives for stations, but many of you have cited all the long-term benefits for learners and engagement. Research also supports the use of differentiated instruction to meet student learning needs. Using technology to promote student creation and student learning through projects can make this differentiation easier.
For many of you, this is something you are already doing, but as we look at it through the lens of technology integration, it may change opportunities. Please take a little time to check out the Ed Week article and the short video. The video also iterates what Instructional Leaders (Principals, Curriculum Directors, etc.) may be looking for in classrooms that differentiate.
I look forward to visiting in the future about what this can look like in your classroom. Enjoy your short week!
Mrs. Walder's Schedule
Monday:
- 1:30 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 2:10 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 3:15 Reading Challenge Team Meet in Mrs. Knudson's Room
- 4:15 Instructional Leaders Meeting at DEC
Tuesday:
- 8:30 Behavior Team Meeting
Wednesday:
- No School
- Mrs. Walder in office normal hours.
Thursday:
- No School
Friday:
- No School
Contact Mrs. Walder
Email: Samantha.Walder@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.teaschools.k12.sd.us/
Location: Tea, SD, USA
Phone: 6058817381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaAreaLegacy/