Hello everyone!

Today I am going to discuss assessing technology-based resources for differentiation. When we differentiate lessons, we find what works best for each learning style and adjust the lesson, so every student succeeds. One of the ways to differentiate a lesson is through the use of technology. Among the many options of technologies, teachers can use are Flipgrid, Kahoot! and Seesaw.

            Flipgrid is a website that allows teachers and students to record quick video responses between each other (Schneider & Schneider, 2019). This is a good resource for students who have a difficult time expressing themselves or are too shy to speak up. Flipgrid is pretty easy to use. The teacher posts a grip with a topic or idea and shares it with the class. Then the students will post a response to the topic. Flipgrid allows teachers to hear from each student, so they do not have to spend a lot of time reading page of essays. The best part about Flipgrid is it is completely free, and it can be used for every content area. Flipgrid works well for differentiation because some students can explain themselves more easily verbally rather than on paper.

            Another useful resource for differentiation is Kahoot!. Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that makes it easy to create, share, and play learning games or trivia quizzes in minutes (“It’s Taken Over the School by Storm!”: Teachers at Bishop O’Dowd High, 2022b). The teacher creates the games with a set number of questions. Videos, diagrams, and pictures can be added to make the assignment more appealing. Kahoots are best played in a group so using them in small groups or at station time is ideal. Teachers can also assign a Kahoot for students to do individually and at their own pace, so this would also work for homework or remote learning. The cost of Kahoot! depends on the subscription, but it offers a free version, so it will also be convenient for families. It also works well for differentiation because the teacher makes up the questions, so it can be tailored around each student's individual needs.

            Seesaw is a digital platform where teachers of all grade levels and content areas can create learning tasks and assignments for students. The assignments can incorporate videos, photos, text, images, files, or drawings (Teachers’ Essential Guide to Seesaw | Common Sense Education, 2024). Seesaw offers a variety of options like assigning classwork, communication and feedback, and a class blog. Families can see their child’s class work as well as any feedback from the teacher. They can also view announcements and individual messages. Seesaw is free of cost for teachers, but there is a Seesaw Plus option for one hundred twenty dollars per year that offers more privacy and other features. Seesaw is great for small groups of individual students. Teachers can assign specific assignments or different levels depending on the child.

            The two technologies that promote learning and create ownership of learning are Flipgrid and Seesaw. These two technologies allow the teacher to create assignments according to the student's needs. By having the assignments differentiated, the students feel more confident when working. Flipgrid allows students to submit video recordings of their work, so if a child feels uncomfortable speaking in front of the class they can send the teacher a video to watch privately. Seesaw can be done at the student's pace, so it makes it less stressful to complete assignments. Students need to feel comfortable and confident when working. Differentiation is the best way to assist students in and out of the classroom to ensure their success.

References

“It’s taken over the school by storm!”: teachers at Bishop O’Dowd High (2022, September 16). Kahoot! https://kahoot.com/what-is-kahoot/

Teachers’ Essential Guide to Seesaw | Common Sense Education. (2024, June 5). Common Sense Education. https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/teachers-essential-guide-to-seesaw

Schneider, J., & Schneider, J. (2019, May 26). Ways to use Flipgrid in the classroom. Creative Tech Teacher. https://creativetechteacher.com/flipgrid/