Create 2.1.2 Differentiation

Differentiation in a classroom requires teachers to put thought into the learning process. In a virtual setting this is a different ball field. I have two years of high school online teaching experience. During this time I have truly had to think about how material is presented and how can we help students reach mastery of the material. IEPs are great tool to begin with on how to differentiate for your students. Online format is great for many IEPs because extended time is already built in since it is during the students time!

I have often used Blackboard as a key differentiation tool. I  like to make HELP videos for students. Blackboard is a great tool to use to create videos for students to use as supplemental material. You can pull information from the texts that students read in the lesson module and create a review, more direct approach of presentation, or supplemental material. It allows you to transform the "book words" into a live presentation to the students. Using visuals you can present the material in a different format for a variety of learning styles.

Differentiation is not dumbing down the material. It is finding a variety of ways to present the material to a student. It is finding the best way for a student to master the material. Prezi's are also a fantastic way to create a self paced way for student to be presented the information in a different setting.