Using Google Apps to Support DifferentiationChristine EspositoCharlottesville City Schoolshttp://goo.gl/d0PWIm
What differentiation is
According to Carol Tomlinson, differentiation is “a sequence of common sense decisions made by teachers with a student first orientation”
Definition from: http://caroltomlinson.com/Presentations/Amherst_Secondary.pdf
What is differentiation, continued
It’s making sure each student learns what he or she should learn by establishing clear goals, assessing persistently to see where each student is relative to the goals, and adjusting instruction based on assessment information - so that each student can learn as much as possible as efficiently as possiblehttp://caroltomlinson.com/Presentations/Amherst_Secondary.pdf
Tomlinson, Carol Ann and Marcia B. Imbeau. “Understanding Differentiation in Order to Lead.” Leading and Managing a Differentiated Classroom. Alexandria: ASCD, 2010. 18. Print.
Differentiate content, process or product for readiness, interest or learning profile
What differentiation is NOT
It is not a set of strategies. It is a way of thinking about teaching and learning.http://caroltomlinson.com/Presentations/Amherst_Secondary.pdf
Google Apps adds another layer in changing how you think about teaching and learning.
Creating Groups for Sharing Docs
● Use contacts to create groups○ Add students to as many groups as you
want - by class, reading group, writing group, etc. Share documents by group name rather than individual student names. Groups are easily changed.
○ Ebadi, Suu Kyi, and Sirleaf are class names○ JL #1, JL#2, and Raz-Kids are reading
group names and go across classes
Docs● Weekly Assignment Sheets● Hint Cards● Task Cards● Collaborative Writing Groups*,Planning
Documents● Anchor Activities
○ RAFTs and Choice Boards● Choose “Publish to Web” to embed in websites● Your ideas
Google Forms
● Embed into websites● Student surveys
○ Use to find out preferences, strengths, weaknesses● Parent surveys
○ I also send home paper copies as needed so that I have info from all parents.
● Clinic sign-up ○ Teacher offered or student requested clinics for
remediation/help
More Google Forms● Project check-in
○ Responses - these responses make it much easier to give students exactly what they need
● Quizzes - Flubaroo is a must!● Reading logs
○ These serve as the basis for reading conferences ● Exit slips of almost any kind● Your ideas
Sheets
● Use spreadsheets to sort data to facilitate grouping students.○ Data “Wall”○ Student profile cards
● Analyzing data○ What makes a perfect school?
● Your ideas
Blogging● Class blog: assign students to update daily● Teacher blog
○ One-stop for all class-related information○ Curation space for
■ Anchor charts no longer being displayed■ Hint and task cards, anchor activities■ Assessments, Videos, Assignments
● Individual blogs○ book reviews, current events, student choice○ Student who volunteered as tribute
● Your ideas
Sites
● Genius hour projects○ Basketball videos to help younger students improve
their game● Class website● Curation space● Filing cabinet for differentiated activities *● Your ideas
Additional uses for Google Apps ● Calendar
○ Expert of the day○ Assignment calendar○ Small group schedules○ “Clinic” dates○ Use YouCanBook.Me for student or parent conferences
● Draw or Presentation○ Collaborative projects○ Students create a postcard
● Your ideas
Genius Hour or 20% Time
During these projects, students have used:● Docs - for planning their project● Sheets - for analyzing collected data● Forms - creating surveys● Draw - making prototypes● Sites - to share their information● Blogs - reflecting on the process
Contact Information
[email protected]@gmail.comhttp://msespo.edublogs.orgTwitter:● Personal: @EspoLearns● Class account: @WalkerMLCottage