Respond to a minimum of two classmates. How were their ideas of technology promoting differentiation different from your own? How does their viewpoint expand your own? Consider their perspective on the learning environment. Provide specific feedback regarding their perspective in comparison with your own. I will attach mine to help you with my two peers discussions. No word count for the two peers. EDU 645: Week 3 Discussion Mr. Pronovost uses the gradual release model well in his classroom. He begins his lesson by communicating the learning objectives for the day. He does this in a group discussion over addition and subtraction. This time allows him to go over instructions with students and assess to determine which students will do well working independently and which students he will need to focus on individually. As the day moves on students work independently through technology, which is a positive educational tool that provides student feedback which builds confidence in their learning experiences. He guided students until most of his students understood the concepts. This is when he moved the lesson on to incorporate technology. I really like how Mr. Pronovost gave his students a measure of accountability before they could move on to other activities. I believe this gave them an incentive to concentrate on the lesson and do their best. Technology promotes differentiation by providing students the opportunity to start their work at a level they feel most comfortable, work at their own pace, and provides immediate feedback to encourage success in the classroom. Mr. Pronovost encouraged his students to use all the tools that are available to them. In doing so he explained that they do not have to rely on the computers but can write out their math problems and/or use their hands to figure them out. I believe this shows the different levels of cognition being used in this classroom. I think this type of learning environment would make students feel comfortable as they learn what they are capable of learning in math while building confidence as they progress and master each concept. Because the teacher is effectively guiding and differentiating their learning through the gradual release model. The evidence that I saw and heard by watching Mr. Pronovost using the gradual release m
odel, giving feedback and assessment was giving students what they needed, and allowing technology to meet the student’s needs.Mr. Pronovost practiced using clue words with his students to identify if students would add or subtract. Once he felt that students have gotten the hang of their math facts he then moved them to computers. The gradual release model was implemented in the classroom by the “I do it, We do it, You do it together, You do it alone. He allowed students to work independently on the computers on Planet Turtle. Planet Turtle is an educational math site that allows students to practice their math facts. Mr. Pronovost used Planet Turtle to asses his students, and they would have to master 80% math facts correct to move forward. Mr. Pronovost structured his lesson to incorporate technology by allowing students to use iPods, or Macbooks to practice with their math facts. The iPod touch was a valuable way for students to practice a certain strategy or game. The MacBooks supported them in another way with their level reading or differentiated math instruction. This promotes differentiated instruction because Mr. Pronovost implemented more than one way for students to learn math and understand meet the objective of the assignment. He allowed students to do independent practice and allowed students to use whatever strategy worked for them to get the right answer. He also gave his students individualized instruction at their own level. The evidence of varying levels of cognition, Mr. Pronovost allowed students to identify clue words to determine whether they were going to “add or subtract”. The Depth of knowledge I observed students reaching during the various staged of the lesson is understanding how to add and subtract using strategies that are beneficial to their learning needs. Also by Mr. Pronovost allowing students to move at their own pace of learning. Planet Turtle is used to reinforce the instruction of math. This type of learning environment makes students feel great about their capabilities with math because Mr. Pronovost incorporates educational games to make math fun and engaging. When students see that they have passed and done a great job with the lesson online, it gives them encouragement to want to learn more and give them potential to excel in math