Before writing our discussion posts, we were asked to take a moment to review the PPT file linked below (which I did not do, and thus my two entries). There are several assistive resources highlighted in the PPT that can be used in and outside the classroom. We were to take some time to get acquainted with each of the tools. If needed, we were to create a login and spend some time navigating each resource. Finally, we were to consider the following questions for each tool:
- Is it accessible on all devices?
- Is it relevant to your content and subject matter?
- Is it user friendly for children?
- Is it user friendly for teachers?
- Can the software be used to accommodate diverse learners?
These are important questions to consider. While we didn’t need to provide answers for each of these questions in our discussion post, it was important to consider these questions and more as we critically evaluated these resources.
- Assistive Technologies – PowerPoint File (792.6 KB)
Prompt
Select one resource and consider how you would use it with one of the focus students you wrote about in ITL 606.
In your post, mention the tool you selected and the subject area you are interested in enhancing. Describe how and when you would use the software (i.e. pair work, small group, individual practice, practice at home with a parent). Explain why you think it would be beneficial to use when making accommodations, providing students with opportunities to practice skills and/or reinforcing learning.
Here was my first answer before I viewed the PowerPoint:
Resource Selected: Khan Academy
Subject Area: Mathematics
Focus Student #6: A.S. Bilingual
Khan Academy offers interactive exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard. It lets students learn at their own pace. I think this platform is perfect for A.S., a bilingual English learner. Her absences make it hard for her to do well academically. However, she’s great at taking notes. There’s a good chance she’ll succeed with Khan Academy’s structured and step-by-step tutorials.
How and When to Use the Software:
Individual Practice: During her appointment hours at the resource center, A.S. can access the platform to explore challenging math topics independently.
Practice at Home with a Parent: Since A.S.’s parents primarily speak Spanish at home and have limited knowledge of English, the platform’s feature to switch between English and Spanish can prove to be a powerful tool. With the platform’s assistance, A.S. and her parents can work together, bridging the language barrier effectively.
Pair Work: Pairing A.S. with a peer can enhance social interaction and collaborative learning. They can work together to solve problem sets, fostering camaraderie and shared achievement.
Benefits in the Context of Accommodations and Reinforcing Learning:
Personalized Learning Path: Khan Academy offers personalized learning through adaptive assessments. A.S. can focus on specific topics like “Operations and Algebraic Thinking” and “Statistics and Probability.”
Visual and Interactive Learning: The platform’s video lessons and interactive problem sets cater to visual learners with color-coded notes and graphics. A.S. can benefit from these features as she excels at notetaking.
Instant Feedback: The real-time feedback feature will be helpful for A.S. as it will help her understand her mistakes immediately. This will minimize her frustration and the feeling that the work is too difficult, as she will receive immediate guidance on where she went wrong and how to correct it.
Reinforces Classroom Learning: The exercises can complement what A.S. learns in the classroom, allowing her to reinforce concepts and practice at her own pace.
Building Confidence: As A.S. progresses through the levels and sees her achievements, her confidence in her abilities is likely to grow. This positive reinforcement can alleviate some of the anxieties she may experience due to her academic struggles.
Incorporating Khan Academy into A.S.’s educational experience can offer a systematic, tailored, and engaging method that caters to her individual requirements. The adaptability of the platform makes it appropriate for a wide range of students, and in A.S.’s situation, it can serve as a means to not only improve her academic performance but also boost her self-assurance.
And here was my revised post using one of the options in the PowerPoint:
Resource Selected: Quizlet
Subject Area: Mathematics
Considering A.S.’s bilingual background, strengths, and areas of need, I believe Quizlet would be an invaluable tool to aid her academic journey, particularly in subjects where she struggles.
Usage Scenario: I would integrate Quizlet as an individual study tool for A.S., but also occasionally in pair work sessions where she could work with a classmate. Pairing her with a peer who speaks Spanish, even occasionally, can bridge the gap between her dual linguistic capabilities. This will foster a sense of belonging. Additionally, the interface allows for a combination of visual and auditory learning, which aligns well with A.S.’s note-taking strength.
Why Quizlet:
Customized Flashcards: Given A.S.’s strength in notetaking, she can use it to create tailored flashcards on Quizlet for challenging topics, utilizing both English and Spanish to bridge comprehension gaps.
Spaced Repetition: Quizlet employs a spaced repetition technique, which ensures that A.S. reviews material at optimal intervals, reinforcing her memory and understanding.
Interactive Games and Quizzes: These features allow A.S. to test her knowledge and receive instant feedback, which can boost her confidence and clarify areas of misconception.
Bilingual Support: Creating flashcards with dual language support can be invaluable for A.S. to review notes with Spanish-speaking family members, involving them in her learning journey and bridging the language gap at home.
Benefits for Accommodations and Reinforcing Learning:
Personalized Learning: A.S. can customize her study sessions to focus on specific topics she finds difficult, ensuring she gets the necessary practice.
Social Interaction Boost: Collaborating in small groups on Quizlet can help A.S. integrate into the class and improve her social skills, which have been affected by absenteeism.
Increased Engagement: The gamified aspect of Quizlet can make studying less intimidating for A.S., especially given her anxiety and the fear of finding work too challenging.
Review and Reinforcement: Thanks to her excellent notetaking skills, A.S. can review her flashcards outside of school, which aids in retention and understanding.
Parental Involvement: A.S.’s parents can be more involved in her academic progress with the bilingual feature on the flashcards, even though their English is limited.
Integrating Quizlet into A.S.’s study routine, particularly in the identified areas of weakness in Math, would enable her to make the most of her strengths while receiving assistance in her areas of difficulty. Quizlet’s flexibility and adaptability match perfectly with her profile, ensuring that she gets the specific support she needs to excel academically.
Focus Questions
Q: Is Quizlet accessible on all devices?
A: Quizlet is available on different devices. It has a web-based interface that can be accessed through any computer with an internet connection. Additionally, it has mobile applications that are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. This cross-platform accessibility guarantees that students and teachers can use it from anywhere and at any time.
Q: Is Quizlet relevant to your content and subject matter?
A: Yes, considering the attention on A.S. and her lack of proficiency in Mathematics, Quizlet’s customizable flashcards and study sets can be personalized to any topic or subject, making it relevant to her specific requirements. It can be employed to create math definitions, formulas, or problem-solving techniques that A.S. can review and learn from.
Q: Is Quizlet user-friendly for children?
A: Quizlet’s interface is simple and user-friendly, making it easy for students of all ages, including children, to navigate and use. The platform incorporates visual aids such as images and diagrams, as well as interactive games, which make it engaging and interesting for younger users.
Q: Is Quizlet user friendly for teachers?
A: Yes, Quizlet is a valuable tool for teachers due to its user-friendly interface. They can easily create study sets, monitor student progress, and customize flashcard sets made by their fellow educators. Additionally, the platform enables teachers to effortlessly manage and distribute these sets by organizing them into classes or folders.
Q: Can the software be used to accommodate diverse learners?
A: Quizlet is a versatile platform that can cater to diverse learners. For example, it can be used bilingually to aid comprehension for ELL students like A.S. Its various modes, such as flashcards, games, and tests, are designed to accommodate different learning styles, be it visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. The platform’s ability to add images and audio to cards further supports diverse learning needs.
In summary, Quizlet is a versatile and user-friendly tool that provides a wide range of functionalities to cater to the needs of both students and teachers, making it an excellent choice for diverse classroom settings.
Assignment Grade: 5/5
