EDU221DiversityActivity

=Activity for Using Technology to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners=


 * First** the class will brainstorm a list of some of the categories and types of diversities that can be found among students in a classroom.


 * Next**, check out the VGo. What are some of the ways that the VGo could help address the needs of any of the diverse learners in the brainstormed list?


 * Then**, with your teammates, you will select one of the types or categories. With the online resources provided, or by finding resources of your own, find at least one instructional strategy that utilizes technology to address the needs of these learners. If you finish and there's still time available, you can:
 * find another strategy for the same type,
 * find a strategy for a different type in the same category, or
 * select a new category or type and search for a strategy


 * Be prepared to share your findings with the class. You will report:**
 * category of diversity (e.g., physical abilities)
 * type within that category (e.g., fine motor skill deficiencies)
 * a specific example of a technology usage that helps a student succeed in the classroom better than if s/he did not have that technology assistance (e.g., students can use a word processor to create reports and stories that are legible and neat where reports or stories written by hand with poor fine motor skills might be illegible or not very neat)

Resources for Technology to Support the Diverse Needs of Learners
[] //(and don't forget what you learned about iPad apps and iPad settings features -- iPads/tablets are technology)//


 * If you're having trouble finding instructional strategies that address the diversity you selected, try:**
 * go broader--instead of looking for technology for Aspberger's, try looking for technology to help those with Autism
 * go narrower--if you're looking at "physical disabilities", pick a specific one: blindness, deafness, wheelchair-bound, etc.
 * use your own resources--if you found that a gender difference is that a majority of girls tend to prefer manipulatives for solving math problems and you know there's a virtual math manipulatives Web site, you can report that
 * go to two steps--you find out that students from low socio-economic backgrounds often have poor verbal skills, now research technology that can help address poor verbal skills
 * pick a new topic--technology doesn't solve everything
 * find a strategy first--look through some of the websites and see what technologies are helpful, then read which diversities can be addressed by that technology, then report to us the diversity and the technology
 * brainstorm a solution you could invent yourself like these students did: [|Braille printer out of Lego parts] or [|an app to assist readers with dyslexia].

You and your teammate(s) will have [|seven minutes] to find as many instructional strategies as possible.