Differentiated Instruction & Diverse Learning -
Learning Environments for Multiple Learning Styles and Levels
In this activity you will become familiar with the terms: Differentiated Instruction (DI), Diverse Learning, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). You will also explore and learn about some of the technology tools available to support the needs of all students.
Pre-Assess your skills for this "Thing"
Aligned to NETS-T: 1.b, 2.a, 2.b, 2.c, 3.a, 3.c, 3.d, 4.b
Connections to Marzano Strategies: All of the strategies are supported by providing access to learning for diverse learners.
Differentiated Instruction
Diverse Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
1. Support recognition learning by providing multiple, and flexible methods of presentation
2. Support strategic learning by providing multiple, and flexible methods of expression and apprenticeship
3. Support affective learning by providing multiple, and flexible options for engagement
Watch the (6:37 minute) Video from the National Center on UDL and learn more about three UDL principles. Multiple means of representation (recognition); Multiple means of action and expression; and Multiple means of engagement.
An additional visit should be made to the Universal Design for Learning: Strategies, Tools, and Resources (wiki) and explore the content area resources on the left hand navigation pane.
Using Nettrekker d.i. (America’s Educational Search Engine)
One of the resources available to educators in Michigan at no charge is NetTrekker. This program has a text-to-speech feature which will read web pages to the learner.
Nettreker is a gold mine of web resources that are aligned to state standards! Get to know one of the best free resources available to educators in Michigan. To access Nettrekker, you will need to create an FREE account in LearnPort. Nettrekker includes over 180,000 educator reviewed online resources that are aligned by readability level and state standards. For differentiating instruction, a read-aloud feature will convert text to speech, and read the web page content aloud. There is also a dictionary/translation feature for ELL/ESL students and comprehension. Nettrekker includes a special section about 21st Century Skills.
PLEASE NOTE: Nettrekker also has a STUDENT version which costs a licensing fee for student access.
To access a variety of Nettrekker "How to" videos, see the Nettrekker TV by clicking here.
Using MiLearnPort to access Nettrekker |
 
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vozMe
This web site will allow you to make text become an audio in a quick and easy interface. Create .mp3 files in a variety of voices or languages by typing (or copy and paste) text in the box. Save the file and insert it into your applications.
21things Hands-On Activity and Assignment:
Complete the following activities and add them to your portfolio:
1. Before beginning this "Thing", complete the Pre-Assessment of your technology proficiency.
2. Differentiated Learning Assignment - As you read through the key elements which guide differentiation, jot down some notes of things you already do in your teaching which meet these elements of differentiated instruction. List or write a few paragraphs about these in your portfolio.
3. Diverse Learning Assignment - visit the Using Technology to Support Diverse Learners and click on and explore one of the spotlights or the Tech Tips Areas (Digital Text, Audio, Digital Enhancement, Software, Visual, Curricular Supports).Your task is to discover something which will be very helpful to support a struggling learner in your classroom and describe it and how you feel it will help.
4. Universal Design for Learning Assignment - There are two options for this part:
A. Create an account in Learnport (specific to Michigan educators) to access NetTrekker and set up your profile. Use the readability tool to determine the appropriateness of the selection, or to locate materials at three different reading levels. Capture a screen shot and write a reflection in your portfolio.
B. Visit theUniversal Design for Learning: Strategies, Tools, and Resources (wiki) and on the left navigation pane locate a content area resource for your classroom and write a reflection on it in your portfolio.
Select either 3A or 3B and complete.
5. Text-to-Audio Conversion Assignment - Using vozMe or another FREE text to speech converter, make a text to audio recording. Capture a screenshot while you are creating the audio recording. Write a reflection on how this tool could help the students in your classroom.
6. After completing all of the activities for this "Thing", take the Post-Assessment of your technology proficiency for this "Thing".
Post-Assess your skills for this "Thing"
Additional Resources
1. We highly recommend the Premiere In-School Program, which provides special pricing and grants for schools. In regard to this particular activity, the readingmadeEZ program is highly recommended. http://www.readingmadeez.com/home.html
2. A wonderful resource: Strategies for UDL http://udlstrategies.wikispaces.com
3. Additional Text to Speech Converter programs:
http://www.naturalreaders.com/free_version.htm
http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm
4. CAST – The Center for Applied Special Technology http://www.cast.org/
5. Michigan Online Resources for Educators: Find lesson plans and curriculum aids searchable by subject or state standard
The Michigan E-Library has created a new site, MORE, which is very similar to Nettrekker d.i. This web site allows educators to search by GLCE (grade level content expectation), HSCE (high school content expectation), subject, or grade level for websites that align to curriculum standards. Sites have all been "juried", or approved for educational use and are recommended for education!
6. Read the Words is a FREE text to speech converter that uses an avatar to speak.
7. Create your own FREE speaking avatar at Voki that can be used in your blog, email, or other personalized messages.
8. "1-Click Answers" is an IE (Internet Explorer) add-on that instantly provides definitions, facts, and more, on any word that you choose within your browser window. Watch the video tutorial for instructions on how to use 1-Click Answers. Click here to access the download site.
9. CAST Curriculum - The CAST curriculum outlines three different teaching methods using computer simulations to help you learn how to support learning. Scroll down to the examples and watch one or more. Notice that some of these methods are supported by the research done by the Marzano research center on effective teaching practices, graphic organizers for visual learning, interactive games, and multimedia creation tools such as digital story telling.
10. Balaboka -- a text to speech program; requires an install.
21 Things for 21st Century Educators by CCRESA, IISD, MISD, SRESD is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at 21things.weebly.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://21things4teachers.net/. Page updated August 20, 2011
