Introduction

Many students are on different levels in their learning some are above grade level,
at grade level and below grade level. Beings there is so many technological tools
offered to teachers and students, teachers are able to find specific tools to help
each student based on their learning. Some more advanced tools would work more
effectively for students above grade level, there is some to also help students at
grade level as well as below grade level. It is important for the teacher to use
technology in the classroom and find the appropriate tools for each of the students
in their class. It is important that students use technology in the classroom because
in todays society technology is everywhere, but it is not beneficial to the students if
they do not have the correct form of technology. Some helpful tools would include:
PowToon, podcasts, and websites, each of these tools have different ISTE standard
components, using these tools have many pros as well as cons.
Technology to Differentiate Instruction
Podcast:
Podcasts are very helpful when creating an assignment for the students, every
subject, and just about every lesson could use podcasts. Making a podcast is very
easy for students or teachers to create, teachers could assign their students to
create a podcast for a certain assignment describing something or explaining it.
Teachers could also use a podcast as a tutorial for students to refer to when doing
homework or for additional information. This tool could greatly impact the students
achievement for one the students could use it for studying as well as using it to
create an assignment. This tool is student centered because students have access
to it on certain devices also students are able to create their own. This tool could be
used for students at grade level because it is so easy to do each student would be
able to create their own.
ISTE Standards
Assigning the students to create a podcast meets the criteria for the ISTE standards
for students, using this tool allows the students to: research and information fluency
(a, c), critical thinking, problem solving and decision making (c) (ISTE standards,
2016). This tool allows the students to plans strategies to guide inquiry because the
students are creating this to inform the audience of the information and they will
need to answer all possible questions. Also this tool allows students to evaluate and
select information sources and digital tools based on appropriateness to specific
tasks, because the student is creating a podcast they will have to go through all the
possible information and pick the best to put into their creation. Abate stated,
Many students enjoyed using podcasts due their accessibility and availability
(Abate, K., 2013). Lastly students will collect and analyze data to identify solutions
and/or make informed decisions, because the student has to go through all the
information listed about the topic they will need to pick out the most important
information to include in their podcast
PowToon:

PowToon is another great tool for students to use when creating an assignment. This
tool is a little more complex so this should be assigned to students above grade
level. This tool is great for differentiate instruction because teachers are able to
assign students to create a PowToon explaining something or showing something.
This tool impacts students achievement by presenting the information in a fun and
creative way as well as allowing them to make their own creation of the information.
By allowing the students to make their own creation students are more likely to
remember the information. This tool is student centered because the students are
able to watch the presentation over and over again when needed, while doing
homework or studying for their test. Also this tool is student centered because the
students are able to create their own presentation.
ISTE Standards
Assigning the students to create a PowToon connects to the ISTE standards for
student by: Creativity and innovation (b), communications and collaboration (b),
research and information fluency (c), critical thinking, problem solving and decision
making (b) (ISTE standards, 2016). Students are creating original works as a means
of personal or group expression, the student will start from scratch when creating
the presentation. This tool also allows students to communicate information and
ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
According to Supporting learning from illustrated texts: conceptualizing and
evaluating a learning strategy, The working memory is made up of both auditoryverbal and visual-pictorial channels (Schlag, S., & Ploetzner, R). So the students are
learning by hearing the students recording as well as seeing the presentation.
Another standard using this tool meets is evaluate and select information, sources,
and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks, the students are
going through the information to find the best to include in their presentation. Lastly
students plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project, the
student has to plan the things they are going to include before making the
presentation.
Weebly.com:
Weebly.com is another tool that would be assigned to the more advanced students
because it is a more complex tool. This tool also the students to create their own
web page. Teachers could use this tool by assigning the students to create their own
web page containing specific information. This would impact students achievement
because students would be in control of creating their very own website and put the
information they think is valuable. This tool is student centered because the
students are in control, they are making this to show everyone and they will put a
lot of effort into to making it look very nice and presentable. Teachers could assign
the students to create a website or to add a blog post into their website explaining
the lesson or to add information into what has already been taught.
ISTE Standards
Assigning the students to create their own website connects to the ISTE standards
for students: Creativity and innovation (b), communications and collaboration (b),

research and information fluency (c), critical thinking, problem solving and decision
making (b) (ISTE standards, 2016). The student will create their own website so it
will be their own original page, creativity and innovation (b). Students will also be
required to use many different pieces of media and formats to create an exciting
webpage, Communications and collaboration (b). According to Anderson students
creating a web page are interested and skillful of the matter (Anderson, M.). The
students will have look through all the information and choose the one that is most
appropriate, research and information fluency (c). Lastly the student will be
required to plan their steps to create the web page and things to add, critical
thinking, problem solving, and decision making (b).
Pros and Cons (150-250 words)
There is many pros and cons to using technology to differentiate technology.
Some pros would be: students are learning on their level, teachers are able to use
technology to get the lesson taught to every student, and students are learning in a
way they are used to. Students are learning on their level, they are not being taught
to advance for their learning nor too slow for their learning style, because the
teacher is assigning the technology based on their learning they are learning at
their own perfect pace. Teachers are using technology to allow students above, at,
or below grade level to learn the intended information. Lastly students are being
taught in a way they are used to technology, every student enjoys using technology
and is used to it so teaching using technology makes it more understandable for the
students. Some cons of using technology to differentiate instruction would be: each
student is doing something different, and some tools are not helpful enough in
learning. Because each student is doing something different students cannot share
ideas and get help from one another which causes the teacher to have to help each
and every student. Also some tools may not help the students learn the information
as the teacher intended, that is why it is very important for the teacher to put forth
a lot of research into the tool to ensure the students receive the best benefits
possible.
Concluding Paragraph (4-6 sentences)
Using different technologies to teach students on different levels is important for
the students learning. The students need to be taught on their personal level some
are higher than others that is why it is important for the teacher to create separate
assignments to fit each childs level. Some great tools would include, podcasts,
PowToon, and websites. This allows students on different levels to use technology
and learn the information. Some pros to using different technology would be:
students are learning in a way they like, students are learning on their own level,
and teachers are able to use technology to help the students learn, some cons
would be: students are not all doing the same thing so they cannot ask someone
else for help, and some tools may not help the way the teacher wanted them to.

References

Abate, K. S. (2013). The Effect of Podcast Lectures on Nursing Students' Knowledge

Retention and Application. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34(3), 182-185 4p.
Anderson, M. A. (1996). Student-created home pages. Book Report, 15(3), 27.
ISTE Standards for Students. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
http://www.iste.org/standards/ISTE-standards/standards-for-students
Schlag, S., & Ploetzner, R. (n.d). Supporting learning from illustrated texts:
conceptualizing and evaluating a learning strategy. Instructional Science, 39(6),
921-937.