#ShowbieAndTell aims at discussing edtech- and education-related topics with Showbie users and their fellow colleagues on Twitter.
Thanks to all who participated in Showbie’s #ShowbieAndTell Twitter Chat on Wednesday, December 5, 2018!
Showbie hosted a Twitter Chat with Showbie Champion Philip Stevenson around the topic of “Differentiation via Technology”.
Click here for more information about our Twitter Chats.
Below is a curated version of the Twitter Chat with Philip Stevenson.
Questions:
- How has technology helped you with differentiation for students, and how has it fallen short?
- In what creative ways can technology be used to differentiate?
- What is an effective way of implementing differentiation via technology into schools?
- To what extent should technology be relied on to provide differentiation? Is it the most effective method?
Q1. How has technology helped you with differentiation for students, and how has it fallen short? #ShowbieAndTell pic.twitter.com/qkFkXoKqF9
— Showbie (@Showbie) December 5, 2018
Co-host Answers
A1 Using technology for differentiation has helped with managing a busy classroom due to ease and the speed of using it. Technology provides so many different ways to differentiate-with more apps and ideas continually discovered, the possibilities seem endless. #ShowbieAndTell
— Phil Stevenson (@mr_stevenson_IT) December 5, 2018
A1 In many ways, technology is only limited by the teacher using it. Backed up by enthusiastic and creative teachers, it becomes another tool to not replace traditional methods, but help enhance teaching and learning. #ShowbieAndTell
— Phil Stevenson (@mr_stevenson_IT) December 5, 2018
Other Answers
A1 – Evidently the new 'Differentiation feature' has filled a gap. However, up to that point, true differentiation was via choice or instructing individuals to go to a certain assignment or task. This caused issues in class. #showbieandtell
— C J (@Mr_L_edu) December 5, 2018
a1 #showbieandtell I think that technology has a way not just of differentiating but also of leveling the playing field by allowing some children a way of accessing learning or being able to express themselves clearly
— Mark Boylan (@ictlinks) December 5, 2018
Love technology4differentiation. Much easier for younger children who struggle reading to have @Showbie voice notes, share videos etc The new differentiation distribution in Showbie is saving so much time & tailoring learning/sharing files is much more effective. #ShowbieAndTell
— MissMacICT (@MissMacICT) December 5, 2018
A1 a minor challenge, but a challenge nevertheless is to make sure @Showbie updates are shared and implemented by all staff in a consistent manner across the whole school #ShowbieAndTell
— Alistair Bond (@AlistairBond) December 5, 2018
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Q2. In what creative ways can technology be used to differentiate? #ShowbieAndTell pic.twitter.com/XWZfDaa3B4
— Showbie (@Showbie) December 5, 2018
Co-host Answers
A2 The ability to differentiate using multiple apps such as @BookCreatorApp, green screen with @DoInk, #clips, #pages, or even video recordings, together, or by themselves, has provided a multitude of creative ways for children to demonstrate understanding. #ShowbieAndTell
— Phil Stevenson (@mr_stevenson_IT) December 5, 2018
A2 Some creative ways of differentiating with technology include: books full of titles, photos etc to structure thinking in a variety of different ways; filmed interviews asking levelled questions; or quizzes using @Socrative or @GetKahoot #EveryoneCanCreate #ShowbieAndTell
— Phil Stevenson (@mr_stevenson_IT) December 5, 2018
Other Answers
A1: I think by assigning suitable tasks based on students’ levels to achieve the same goal or skill
Ex: designing an add
Higher level students could design a brochure or pamphlet
Others could do a poster— Soad Mizher (@SM_ENGLISH) December 5, 2018
A2 – So… Children take pictures and then read their writing back to me – this helps me to access their writing but also develops their speaking and listening.
— C J (@Mr_L_edu) December 5, 2018
A2 – As you may have guessed I also love a #QRCode – especially in KS1! Linking to websites/videos allows easy differentiation & no need for photocopying etc. #ShowbieAndTell
— MissMacICT (@MissMacICT) December 5, 2018
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Q3. What is an effective way of implementing differentiation via technology into schools? #ShowbieAndTell pic.twitter.com/Us8NWpvhMl
— Showbie (@Showbie) December 5, 2018
Co-host Answer
A3 Start slow and with a few key apps. @Showbie is an excellent app to start with with its free version offering simple to use tools and a simple set up. Other apps, like @BookCreatorApp creator, and #iMovie provide teachers with a set of apps to experiment with. #ShowbieAndTell
— Phil Stevenson (@mr_stevenson_IT) December 5, 2018
Other Answers
A3 #showbieandtell sometimes with differentiation it is only certain groups that use the app. Sometimes it is with mixed ability pairs – one who is strong with content and the other to use the app.
— Mark Boylan (@ictlinks) December 5, 2018
A3 #showbieandtell I have also had some children who I have given additional input to – make them the experts – they then teach the other children in the room
— Mark Boylan (@ictlinks) December 5, 2018
A3 – Weaving the use of technology through planning across the curriculum, creating a team of champion teachers, selecting #DigitalLeaders to support in lessons, create banks of resources/@Showbie classes that can be reused year on year & allowing time2'play'.🙌🏻 #ShowbieAndTell
— MissMacICT (@MissMacICT) December 5, 2018
Back to question list
Q4. To what extent should technology be relied on to provide differentiation? Is it the most effective method? #ShowbieAndTell pic.twitter.com/qjDPaTqdaM
— Showbie (@Showbie) December 5, 2018
Co-host Answers
A4 Technology should not replace traditional methods of differentiation, but should be part of any schools ‘toolbox’ for teachers and students. Technology provides something that many other methods don’t – a real choice of how to complete something. #ShowbieAndTell
— Phil Stevenson (@mr_stevenson_IT) December 5, 2018
A4 For example-We tailor our lessons to ensure that all pupils have equal access to demonstrate and gain from the learning experience. Technology is an excellent tool for assisting in this process, just as writing, diagrams, and drama still is. Find the balance #showbieandtell
— Phil Stevenson (@mr_stevenson_IT) December 5, 2018
Other Answers
A4 #showbieandtell it is all about the balance. It is down to the professional judgment of teachers to decide the best way to differentiate – with or without technology – for the pupils in their class
— Mark Boylan (@ictlinks) December 5, 2018
A4 – If a worksheet is easier to use then a worksheet it is! e.g. printed @scratch commands to support coding on screen – rather than flipping screens. Tech works really well but needs to be the right tool 4the job! & ALWAYS have a backup…just in case! 😉 #ShowbieAndTell
— MissMacICT (@MissMacICT) December 5, 2018
A4:Totally agree
Technology is a great tool but it is not the only tool
Sometimes technology can cause distraction if not used efficiently
Teachers should be careful here
But all in all if I have to choose I would always choose technology#ShowbieAndTell— Soad Mizher (@SM_ENGLISH) December 5, 2018
A4,A3,A2 & A1, don’t forget to ensure inspectors have access to @Showbie as the quality of differentiation and personalised feedback is tremendous evidence. We have an iPad ready for the inspection team all signed up to @Showbie @onedrive @SharePoint #tapestry #ShowbieAndTell
— Alistair Bond (@AlistairBond) December 5, 2018
Back to question list
If you’re on Twitter, you can see the full recap as a Twitter Moment here.
