Teyaka Thomas

Mstbelievers.weebly.com
EDU-225
March 12, 2015

Raft Card Example:

Row 1

ROLE (student)
A DJ of a science

AUDIENCE
Your favorite

FORMAT
An informative

TOPIC
Have you ever

radio station

radio station

podcast report

wondered what a

listeners

drop of water feels

like as it travels
through the water
cycle?

Raft Card 1:

Row 1

ROLE (student)
A Spelling Bee Judge

AUDIENCE
First grade

FORMAT
Students are asked

TOPIC
Looking for an

contestants and

to spell words in a

exciting way to

peers

round format

enhance your
students
vocabulary have
an educational and
entertaining
spelling bee

Objective: Pupils shall recognize noteworthy details beginning with written work, and reveal
energetic concentration and abilities by producing suitable vocabulary skills and sounds.
Student Role: A Spelling Bee Judge
Audience: First grade contestants and peers
Format: Students are asked to spell words in a round format
Topic: Looking for an exciting way to enhance your students vocabulary have an educational
and entertaining spelling bee

Directions:
Review the list of words and attend practice bee sessions
Write them repeatedly to retain spelling
Parents practice with students daily for support
Resources:
Websites to Visit
Center for Learning in the Arts, Sciences and Sustainability
http://sites.uci.edu/class/
Meeting Student Where they are
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/subject/di_meeting.phtml
Campbell, T., Shaing Kwei, W., Hui-Yin, H., Duffy, A. M., & Wolf, P. G. (2010). Learning with
Web Tools, Simulations, and Other Technologies in Science Classrooms. Journal Of Science
Education & Technology, 19(5), 505-511. doi:10.1007/s10956-010-9217-8

Assessment: Students that practice will retain information and improve vocabulary skills

Raft Card 2:

Row 2

ROLE (student)
The caterpillar on the
food chain

AUDIENCE
Science lovers

FORMAT
Science Bloggers

TOPIC
Showing the
results of how the
food chain is
broken down to
the last insect

Objective: To show the chain of command in regards to the animal food pyramid

Student Role: The caterpillar on the food chain

Audience: Science lovers
Format: Science Bloggers
Topic: Showing the results of how the food chain is broken down to the last insect

Directions:
Research the Animal food pyramid
Record the steps it travels down to the smallest animal
Identify the stages the caterpillar go through
Record and post the end results
Resources:
Natures Pyramid
http://www.rbnc.org/schoolunits/schlphoto/natpyra/FoodPyramid.png
Food Chain as An Example of a system
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/4e.html
Food Chain
http://www.ecomare.nl/en/encyclopedia/natural-environment/ecology/ecological-processes/foodchains/
Assessment:

Prepare a lesson by showing a project that will help students grasp the concept of the lesson.

Raft Card 3:

Row 3

ROLE (student)
Conservation

AUDIENCE
Future Scientist

Adventurers

FORMAT
Detailed skyping

TOPIC
Plants and animals
in nature need
each other to exist,
they act as food
for one another.

Objective: Animals and plants need each other to live.

Student Role: Conservation Adventurer
Audience: Future Scientist
Topic: Plants and animals in nature need each other to exist, they act as food for one another.

Directions:
Identify the process of the primary production
Show the process that is the secondary production
Recognize the phases of photosynthesis
Reveal how this process breaks down into the food chain.

Resources:
Man and the Environment
http://www.ecomare.nl/en/encyclopedia/natural-environment/ecology/ecological-processes/foodchains/
Photosynthesis
http://whatisphotosynthesis.net/photosynthesis-and-food-chain.php
Science Line
http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=1650
http://www.kean.edu/~fosborne/resources/ex12f.htmPlant and Animals in the Environment

Assessment:

During the process of photosynthesis, plants build up their biomass with the help of sunlight and
elementary building materials.

Entry 2: Differentiating Instruction through Technology

Introduction
What student wouldnt want to incorporate what they love to do into something they really can
stand? Most instructors are afraid to introduce technology because of their lack to perform the
essential functions. Instead of looking at it from the perspective that the students will then tur
around and share their knowledge not just with the students but with the teacher as well.
Technology acts as a motivation tool, it also enriches the student academic career and welcomes
diversity in the classroom.
Technology to Differentiate Instruction
Skype: This tool most important can be used to connect with other classrooms around the world.
This is also a great instrument used to help diversity in education. The kids can speak and watch
other schools across the country, the way their lesson is taught and received. Skype is said to
inspire literacy. This actually is a great way to make learning a virtual adventure. Also upon

research this tool will also allow others into your educational world. Authors, professors and
other instructors near and far could come and participate in your academic adventure via Skype.
Students can collaborate in projects and share them nationwide just by using this piece of
technology. The greatest thing to me is you and your students can take a field trip never leaving
their seat and still have all of the fun. Communication and Collaboration
Schoology: This tool was designed to help teachers manage their lessons and share information
and connect with other instructors. This tool helps with communication hub, course management,
mobile learning and integration platform. They also have been accredited for being the best in
the Pk-12 solution. Schoology has come to make a common attempt by trying to expand the
general influence of all parties associated within the scholars existence. Schoology (2015)
gives you an edge by simplifying the process of building unique webpages with dynamic
content creation tools and a user-centric interface. Engage in professional growth and
leadership.
Openstudy: This tool really stands out because it encourages participation requirements from all
students. This site even offers live help. This site allows you to build study groups and students
can come and visit it the site for academic help also. Not only for homework but testing as well.
This site also works as a self-help tool you get help and give help. This site offers help 24/7.
Theres never a wrong time to access help from this technology site. This is an example of
facilitate and inspire students learning and creativity.
Pros and Cons
Traditional classrooms offer a personal interaction between teacher and student. If any
questions or matters arise you can take care of them immediately instead of having to wait for a
reply or an answer. You also turn your work in person to your instructor, online you submit it via

email or Internet. In a traditional classroom setting the teacher is able to go around and offer the
students individual help where needed in an area that shows weakness. In an online setting you
may email your teacher or seek the advice of your peers through the class forum. Online learning
you are able to work at your on scheduling. This works out great for students with a demanding
schedule. Online learning also offers independence and challenges that students wouldnt
normally get in a traditional setting. It does, though, imply that teachers move away from
routine methods and find new ways to accommodate the students' needs and help them adapt to
the rigors of the curriculum as easily as possible (David Stewart n.d.).
Concluding Paragraph
Presenting information that is important in new original ways shows diversity amongst the
instructors in the classroom. Different teaching methods is not only good for the students but also
beneficial to the teacher. This is an asset for the school worldwide because the class has moved
away from routine teaching practices. Ultimately incorporating various learning techniques
raises the standard for schools that were seemed to be mediocre, it offers exciting lessons,
motivating techniques and distinctive new challenges daily.

References:
Campbell, T., Shaing Kwei, W., Hui-Yin, H., Duffy, A. M., & Wolf, P. G. (2010). Learning with
Web Tools, Simulations, and Other Technologies in Science Classrooms. Journal Of
Science Education & Technology, 19(5), 505-511. doi:10.1007/s10956-010-9217-8
Spallek, H., & von Bergmann, H. (2014). Should Laptops Be Allowed in the Classroom? Two
Viewpoints. Journal Of Dental Education, 78(12), 1580-1588

50 Education Technology Tools Every Teacher Should Know About. (2012, August 21).
Retrieved March 15, 2015, from http://www.edudemic.com/50-education-technologytools-every-teacher-should-know-aboutStewart, D. (n.d.) What Are the Challenges &
Benefits of Differentiated Instruction?
Yilmaz, O. (2015). THE EFFECTS OF "LIVE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM" ON STUDENTS'
ACHIEVEMENT AND STUDENTS' OPINIONS ABOUT "LIVE VIRTUAL
CLASSROOM" AT DISTANCE EDUCATION. Turkish Online Journal Of Educational
Technology, 14(1), 108-115.
Gedera, D. P. (2014). Students' experiences of learning in a virtual classroom. International
Journal Of Education & Development Using Information & Communication Technology,
10(4), 93-101.
Evans Allvin, R. (2014). Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom. YC: Young Children,
69(4), 62-67