Six Strategies for Differentiated Instruction in Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning (PBL) naturally lends itself to differentiated instruction. By design, it is student-centered, student-driven, and gives space for teachers to meet the needs of students in a variety of ways. PBL can allow for effective differentiation in assessment as well as daily management and instruction. PBL experts will tell you this, but I often hear teachers ask for real examples, specifics to help them contextualize what it "looks like" in the classroom. We all need to try out specific ideas and strategies to get our brains working in a different context. 1. We all know that heterogeneous grouping works, but sometimes homogenous grouping can be an effective way to differentiate in a project. 2. Reflection is an essential component of PBL. 3. This is probably one of my favorites. 4. Another essential component of PBL is student voice and choice, both in terms of what students produce and how they use their time. 5. 6.
15 Impressive Tools for Creating Beautiful Presentations
Ever since MS PowerPoint revolutionized corporate and marketing communication in the early part of the millennium, presenting ideas through attractive slideshows has become a mandatory component of any successful and engaging presentation. The effectiveness of any presentation relies heavily on the styling, structure and attractiveness of the slides that are being used to address the audience. This is why, over the years, marketers and communicators have focused heavily on bringing innovation and creativity in their presentations. The internet age has added a completely unique dimension to this concept. Here are 15 such online tools that can help you design beautiful presentations in quick time. 1. Presenter by Easy WebContent is one of the most complete online presentation tools that you will come across. 2. 280 Slides It’s a free online tool that lets you design attractive presentations with minimum fuss. 3. 4. Create ever-green flash based presentations using Spresent. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) | Special Education
Universal Design for Learning is a framework that provides educators with a structure to develop their instruction to meet the wide range of diversity among all learners. UDL is a research-based framework that suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to curricula is not effective. UDL was inspired by universal design in architecture, where design features intended for individuals with disabilities have had unexpected benefits for the general population (e.g. curb cut outs designed for wheelchair access have benefits for strollers, rolling luggage, skateboarders, etc.) A concise definition of Universal Design for Learning was provided by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) The term UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING means a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that: Three Principles of Universal Design for Learning Questions about Universal Design for Learning Is UDL just for students with disabilities? Universal Design for Learning Examples
ThingLink: Make Images Interactive
Thinglink is an interactive image tool that provides users with the ability to turn any image into a multimedia launcher. Users can create multiple "hot spots" on specific parts of an image and turn the image into a multimedia launcher. Embed video, record audio with the click of a button and a free SoundCloud account, or link to any website. Compatible with any blog or website that has a widget to support javascript, this is a great tool for those of us who use Blogger, Wikispaces or WordPress. To experience Thinglink, roll your mouse over the Apollo 11 collage I created below to see where the hot spots are, then click on any of them to enjoy the multimedia.Directions: To use Thinglink, simply follow these steps: Go to the Thinglinwebsite and sign up for a free account.Follow the directions on the site to install the widget on your blog or wiki.Upload an image to Thinglink..Click on the paper clip icon in the upper left corner to Edit Tags.Drag your mouse across an image.
My strategies to engage and motivate my students
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What Is Your Learning Style?
What Is Your Learning Style? This quiz asks 24 questions and will take less than five minutes to complete. Try not to think too hard -- just go with your first thought when describing your daily activities and interests. Editor's Note (2013): There is no scientific evidence, as of yet, that shows that people have specific, fixed learning styles or discrete intelligences, nor that students benefit when teachers target instruction to a specific learning style or intelligence.
Prezi in PowerPoint? It's called pptPlex! - PowerPoint Tips Blog
Did you know that Microsoft has a product that is similar to Prezi — sort of? It’s more structured, but still lets you give an overview of the entire presentation and then zoom into specific slides. (I wrote about Prezi here. Install pptPlex pptPlex is part of Microsoft Labs, a place for experimental software. Because pptPlex is experimental, you need to agree to send usage data to Microsoft, then click Next. Accept the agreement and click Install. Create a presentation for pptPlex You need to start by creating some slides using PowerPoint’s regular tools. Then, you need to organize those slides into sections. In PowerPoint 2007, there is no section feature, so it’s part of pptPlex. Configure pptPlex When your slides and sections are done, you insert a canvas background. (PowerPoint 2013 has a Slide Show view feature that lists the sections and lets you see all of the slides. Click the Canvas Background button on the pptPlex tab of the ribbon to select a background for the canvas.
How I envision blending UDL & Differentiation within my future classroom
PowToon : Online business presentation software to create free, cool, animated, powerpoint video alternatives
