Differentiating Instruction and Assessment
Today’s Topics:
Differentiating Instruction and Assessment
Tech Tip – Google™ Blog Search
How does differentiated instruction work? Why should an educator consider a variety of assessment methods in a classroom of mixed abilities? What are some techniques for differentiating assessment? Should students be able to choose the forms of assessment used to demonstrate their knowledge and skills?
Differentiating Instruction: Meeting Students Where They Are
Jennipher Willoughby provides an excellent overview of steps and strategies for successful implementation of differentiated instruction.
Teaching Every Student: Individual Learning Differences
The CAST staff describes how traditional assessments are often inadequate to address the unique learning styles of many students.
How to Make Grading Fair and Useful
G. Anthony provides a summary of a workshop presented by educational consultant Rick Wormeli. Included are some quick, ongoing assessment ideas for teachers and students.
Tech Tip – Google™ Blog Search
As blogs proliferate and become increasingly essential for the latest educational news, a handy new search tool from Google allows users to search for blogs on any topic. You can even narrow the search by publishing time period (last hour, last 12 hours, last day, past week, etc.) Blog Search currently lists 2,030 blog sources on the topic of “differentiated instruction”!
Featured Course
NEW - Assessment in a Differentiated Classroom
EDUC 744-961 - 3 cr. begins January 29, 2007
Analysis of ongoing and diagnostic assessment practices in a differentiated classroom; reflection of controversial evaluation and grading issues; development of instructionally-relevant classroom assessments that focus instruction after identifying students’ learning needs.
Other New Courses Starting January and February 2007
EDUC 744 958F- Teaching Art for Non-Art Teachers – begins Jan. 16, 2007
EDUC 744 959- Assessment and Evaluation in the Online Classroom – begins Jan. 29, 2007
EDUC 744 949F- Instructional Role of Assessment and Data Analysis – begins Jan. 29, 2007
EDUC 744 937F- Learning Applications for the iPod® and Handheld Computers – begins Feb. 5, 2007
What Our Students Are Saying...
About the Differentiation in the Classroom online course:
The professor was top-notch. She was insightful, helpful, patient, and excellent in responding to our discussion postings. She humanized the class and helped us feel comfortable with the online format and with each other.”
~High School English Teacher, Sioux City, Iowa
“I liked the collaboration between peers. Developing the lesson plans and getting critiqued by my classmates was the most helpful. It made my rethink what I am doing and what I could be doing better. I would recommend this course to others because it gives you the opportunity to examine how your school/district is doing with regards to differentiation.”
~ 5th Grade Math and Social Studies Teacher, Asuncion, Paraguay
“I thought the readings for this class were well selected and very useful, both conceptually and practically-speaking. I enjoyed sharing information with colleagues with a national and international perspective.”
~ School Psychologist, Milwaukee Public Schools
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions. UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.
Labels: Blogging, Differentiation, Tech Tips
The Power of RSS Feeds
Tech Tip – Inserting Photos Inside Word Art
How do today’s tech-savvy teachers keep their teaching resources fresh and relevant with a minimum of effort? What are RSS feeds, how do they deliver information right to your desktop, and how can they enrich teaching and learning?
Setting Up RSS
The staff at Governors State University provides a succinct description of how to set up RSS feeds. Don’t miss the helpful viewlet demonstration link near the bottom of the page!
RSS Feeds: Making Your Favorite Websites Come to You
Andy Carvin provides a brief history of RSS feeds and describes how they can make an educator’s life easier.
RSS Ideas for Educators (pdf file)
Quentin d’Souza offers numerous ideas for educators just getting started with RSS.
Stephen’s Web: Edu_RSS
Stephen Downes is often considered to be the ed tech guru of educational uses of RSS. Click on the Today’s Edu_RSS link for a listing of the latest and best RSS feeds for educators.
Tech Tip – Inserting Photos Inside Word Art (MS Word 2003)
To personalize your Word Art lettering, you can create a photo fill for Word Art letters. Here’s how:
1. Go to Insert -Picture, and choose WordArt.
2. Select a plain style from the top row.
3. Type in your text. Click OK.
4. Open the Word Art toolbar by going to the View menu and selecting Toolbars, then Word Art.
5. On the Word Art toolbar, select the Format icon (paint can & brush).
6. Click on the Colors and Lines tab.
7. In the Fill section, click the arrow next to the color and select Fill Effects.
8. Click on the Picture tab and click on the Select Picture button.
9. Locate your picture and click Insert, then OK.
A portion of your photo is now filling the Word Art text.
Final Call for Courses Starting October 16, 2006
EDUC 744 946F - Professional Development Plan Design and Implementation
EDUC 744 930F - Web Design for Educators (Beginning)
EDUC 744 942F - Intermediate Web Design: Making Your Website a Learning Center
What Our Students Are Saying...
About the Web Design for Educators (Beginning) and the Intermediate Web Design online courses:
“Designing a Web page has been a goal of mine for over a year. I was lacking the knowledge to accomplish my goal but now have the knowledge and a finished project!”
~Media Specialist, Beech Grove, Indiana
“I have been thoroughly impressed with the format, organization, presentation, and relevance of the course content. The hours felt well-spent, the feedback from Jim was swift and thoughtful, and the pace conducive to people with full-time lives to conduct.”
~Middle School Counselor, Madison, Wisconsin
“The organization was phenomenal and everything was step-by-step. I have recommended this class to several of my colleagues."
~ Teacher, Camp Zama, Japan
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions. UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.
Labels: RSS