(This is the last post in a two-part series. You can see Part One .)
Today鈥檚 question is:
What are the best ways to differentiate online instruction?
In , I listed specific ways content teachers could support English Language Learners in online instruction.
Today, Eugenia Mora-Flores and Sandra N. Kaplan share helpful ideas for all students.
I鈥檓 adding this post to
Engaging 鈥渁 diverse group of learners鈥�
Eugenia Mora-Flores is a professor of clinical education and chair of the master of arts in teaching program, University of Southern California , focused on academic-language development and supporting English-learners.
Sandra N. Kaplan is a professor of clinical education, University of Southern California , focused on curriculum and pedagogy with an emphasis on advanced and gifted learners.
Learning online has multiple and relevant opportunities for both the teacher and the learner. The array of teaching/learning options, the readily available preparation and delivery of curriculum and resources, and the relevance to contemporary information and presentation formats capture opportunities for educators and educational needs. However, comments from teachers regarding the lack of consistent attention and enthusiastic participation from students and the inability of students to attain successfully the major outcomes outlined for the online educational outcomes identify a concern about why online learning fails to satisfy all of its objectives.
One of the major reasons for the online educational curriculum and/or presentation to meet its goals may not be in the production of the online material; it may be in the alignment of the online learning expectations to the teacher鈥檚 instruction and the student鈥檚 participation. The primary reasons for this situation can be defined as the lack of recognition and responses to the differences among the learners. Selection of an online educational site and/or program must take into consideration the individual differences that identify learning needs, interests, and abilities. Teachers are working long hours selecting materials for students, meeting with their classes online, and answering messages via email, texts, phone calls at all hours. These efforts by teachers are commendable as they are learning to engage students in distance learning, for some, for the first time. What we can鈥檛 lose sight of is that many of these assignments are being generated for 鈥渢he class,鈥� not for individual differences. Without giving teachers more work to do, as they are already taxed, we offer some considerations for how to engage a diverse group of learners through the distance-learning experiences they are already engaged in.
1. What knowledge about interacting with technology do students bring to the online learning experience that potentially inhibit or activate their participation?
Family rules about the use and time allocated to technology and students鈥� skill sets developed to use a computers are indicators of varying levels of enthusiasm and abilities learners bring to engage purposefully and attentively to online learning. For example, teachers need to consider how to facilitate the transfer of students鈥� proficient skills at computer gaming to the skills needed for an online history lesson. Teachers should review norms of engagement when using technology for school vs. technology for play.
2.How do teachers accommodate a student who is not physiologically comfortable learning in a stayed position for a long period of time?
Teachers need to integrate physical and intellectual breaks in the online presentation that provide a productive time to 鈥渃ontemplate and jot down 鈥渁 response to an open-ended relevant question or idea to share with peers, stand up and stretch, or take a thoughtful stroll around the home.
3. How does the teacher accommodate the diversity among learners as a consequence of academic, cultural, linguistic differences?
Consideration of instructional strategies that introduce and/or reinforce learning from the online program can include 鈥減rior viewing鈥� techniques such as identifying key words to 鈥渓ook and listen鈥� for during the program. Use a sentence frame that can be completed during and/or after viewing. Utilize a range of home experiences and contexts for thoughtful learning. For example, survey families about what types of activities the family engages in at home; students can summarize, analyze, problem solve, and think creatively about what they saw or experienced. These are English/language arts standards met through a student-centered context.
4. How do teachers plan to engage students in productive and active learning experiences during the online presentation?
Teachers can consider 鈥渟top and go鈥� techniques during a presentation for the purposes of creating opportunities to debate an idea or statement derived from the presentation, to initiate a 鈥渨hat happens next鈥� discussion, or to illustrate and share the interpretation of an idea that is presented. For example, the teacher might introduce some information on a topic. After a few minutes, stop and give the group a chance to think and talk about what they heard, think about things that are connected or related, challenge what they heard, engage in critical discussions about the information. This can continue throughout the presentation to build depth of understanding rather than just coverage of material.
5. How do teachers prepare students to attain assistance from peers without involving parents who may not be available to assist in the completion of assignments related to the online presentation?
Identifying 鈥渟tudy buddies鈥� based on appropriate criteria to work together during planned 鈥渢eacher-in-attendance time frames.鈥� Meeting with students in small groups can help teachers target the unique needs of learners across content areas.
Thanks to Eugenia and Sandra for their contributions!
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