Jessica V.

Banks
( http://educationalawesomeness.weebly.com )
EDU-225
December 20, 2014

Raft Card 1:

Row 1

ROLE (student)
Reporter

AUDIENCE
Parents and
community
members

FORMAT
written report

TOPIC
What going on in
our classroom

Objective: Create a classroom newsletter

Student Role: Reporter
Audience: Parents and other members of the educational community
Format: An information written report
Topic: What going on in our classroom

Directions: Each student will then be given the role of reporter for one section of the class
newsletter. Each student will then begin an observation on the topic they will be
responsible for reporting on. After gathering their information and creating written notes,
each student will then transcribe their note into their IPad using I Diary.

Resources:

Websites to visit:
Easily Create Newsletters
www.ptotoday.com
( m_medium=cpc&utm_term=how to construct a classroom
newsletter&utm_content=pto_newsletter&utm_campaign=pto_newsletter_email )
Free Newsletter Designs
www.smilebox.com
(ampaign=search_core_newsletter_template&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_
campaign=search_core_newsletter&url=smilebox.com&gclid=CPD0uJ6G2cICFcnS4Aod3
WIAww&gclsrc=ds)
Assessment: Student will review the steps to completing each task with the teacher. A final
assessment will be made, after the teacher has observed the students ability to correctly
recall steps and complete each task.

Raft Card 2:

Row 2

ROLE (student)
Reporter

AUDIENCE
Parents and
community
members

FORMAT
video

TOPIC
What Going on
in Our Classroom

Objective: Classroom Newsletter

Student Role: Reporter
Audience: Parents and other members of the educational community
Format: An information video
Topic: What Going on in Our Classroom: Members of the class, supply list, what
technology will be used, how we will use that technology, classroom goals, what the class
learned weekly, and upcoming projects.

Directions: Students will create a video report/blog through the use of the Web Cam on the
IPads, and students will save video footage they create. This type of report will be
displayed on the classroom website, which will also include the class newsletter.
Resources:
Websites to visit:
Classroom Collaboration
smithsystem.com/Ad
http://smithsystem.com/21centuryclassroom/
create video | avs4you.com
www.avs4you.com/AVS-Video-Editor

http://www.avs4you.com/AVS-Video-Editor.aspx?sct=inc&ct=msn&cid=94
Assessment: Student will review the steps to completing each task with the teacher. A final
assessment will be made, after the teacher has observed the students ability to correctly
recall steps and complete each task.

Raft Card 3:

Row 3

ROLE (student)
Reporter

AUDIENCE
Parents and
community
member

FORMAT
An information
video

Objective: Classroom Newsletter

Student Role: Reporter
Audience: Parents and other member of the educational community
Format: An information video

TOPIC
What Going on
in Our Classroom

Topic: What Going on in Our Classroom: Members of the class, supply list, what
technology will be used, how we will use that technology, classroom goals, what the class
learned weekly, and upcoming projects.

Directions: With the guidance of the teacher, student responsible for adding a video report
to the class website, so it will be include in the class newsletter. In doing so students will be
instructed to save their video feed onto the classroom computer, were it can then be
uploaded onto the classroom website.
Resources:
Websites to visit:
http://smithsystem.com/21centuryclassroom/
create video | avs4you.com
www.avs4you.com/AVS-Video-Editor
http://www.avs4you.com/AVS-Video-Editor.aspx?sct=inc&ct=msn&cid=94

Assessment: Student will review the steps to completing each task with the teacher. A final
assessment will be made, after the teacher has observed the students ability to correctly
recall steps and complete each task.

Entry 3: Differentiating Instruction through Technology

Introduction
During this class students will work towards completing a comprehensive classroom
technology plan. By the end of the school years all students of the class, will have a complete
understanding of all expects of the technology they have used; as well as the assignments they
completed. Though the use of classroom technology such as IPads, Web Cams, and the Internet
students will comprise a classroom newsletter. In doing so each student will act as a reporter,
and will be responsible for completing one section of the newsletter. The newsletter will feature
information on topics such as a member of the class, supply list, what technology will be used,
how we will use that technology, classroom goals, what the class learned weekly, and upcoming
projects. These assignments along with the technology used to complete them, will strengthen
students reading, writing, comprehension, and recall skills; as well as aide them in the area of
self-advocacy.

Technology to Differentiate Instruction

(IPad): After being introduced to the classroom website, students will also be introduced to the
classroom newsletter as well. During writing a lesson the teacher will inform students of all the
components of a newsletter, as well as how a newsletters should be written. Each student will
then be given the role of reporter for one section of the class newsletter. Each student will then
begin an observation on the topic they will be responsible for reporting on. After gathering their
information and creating written notes, each student will then transcribe their note into their IPad
using I Diary. This way students are able to save their work, for future editing, coping,
pasting, and uploading purposes
(Web Cam): Some students will be responsible for making their reports by creating a video
report, which will be complete once a week after notes have been edited and reviewed by the
teacher. Through the use of the Web Cam on the IPads, students will save video footage they
create. This type of report will be displayed on the classroom website, which will also include
the class newsletter. Through this assignment student will be able to strengthen their speech, as
well as practice public speaking skills. Also because student will first have to create written
notes on the featured topic first, they will have worked to improve upon skills such as reading,
writing, and comprehension.
(Classroom Computer / Internet): As stated before through the use of the Web Cam on the
IPads, students will save video footage they create. This type of report will be displayed on the
classroom website, which will also include the class newsletter. With the guidance of the teacher,
student responsible for adding a video report to the class website, so it will be include in the class
newsletter. In doing so students will be instructed to save their video feed onto the classroom
computer, were it can then be uploaded onto the classroom website. This part of the assignment

will help students o self-advocate, as well as get better familiar with how to use classroom
technology.
Pros and Cons (150-250 words)
Some pros of using technology to differentiate instruction, is to allows teachers to bridge
the gap between implementing lessons and the comprehension of their students. Using
technology to differentiate instruction, also helps teachers stop their students from reaching a
Plato; and continue to excel. Through the use of classroom technology, teaches can now ensure
that their students fully comprehend the lessons they implement. All while keeping students
engaged with the exciting sounds, and animations used in new classroom technology. Also
through the use of technology student are able to become more self-sufficient in completing a
task. Also by using classroom technology to implement lessons, teachers can lead far more
structured lessons that hit more of the common core standards which need to be met. However
there are also cons to integrating technology in the classroom. For example when taking a more
technical approach to education, educators run the risk of removing the hands on approach.
Which has been revered as the best way to facilitate learning for years. Other cons to using
technology to facilitate learning, are cost as well as accessibility. While some schools/school
districts are fortunate to be able to afford the latest classroom technology, other schools that lack
funding for such sophisticated materials; and could fall behind. This would be disservice to
students growing up in such a tech savvy generation, and would essentially create another form
of illiteracy.

Concluding Paragraph

After completing the components of this assignment, students will have a more
comprehensive understanding on the technology provided to them in class; as well as how to use
them. Student will then also know how to construct a newsletter, as well as upload information
on to a webpage. In having the class complete this assignment, the teacher is facilitating a more
comprehensive lesson. Which will essentially work to strengthen students skills such as
reading, writing, comprehension; as well as their ability to recall information.
References:
Easily Create Newsletters
www.ptotoday.com
( m_medium=cpc&utm_term=how to construct a classroom
newsletter&utm_content=pto_newsletter&utm_campaign=pto_newsletter_email );
Free Newsletter Designs
www.smilebox.com
(ampaign=search_core_newsletter_template&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_
campaign=search_core_newsletter&url=smilebox.com&gclid=CPD0uJ6G2cICFcnS4Aod3
WIAww&gclsrc=ds);
http://smithsystem.com/21centuryclassroom/
create video | avs4you.com
www.avs4you.com/AVS-Video-Editor
http://www.avs4you.com/AVS-Video-Editor.aspx?sct=inc&ct=msn&cid=94;

Using technology to differentiate instruction across grade levels. By: Kara-Soteriou,

Julia. New England Reading Association Journal. 2009, Vol. 44 Issue 2, p86-90. 5p.

Technology-Based Classroom Assessments: Alternatives to Testing By: Salend,

Spencer. Teaching Exceptional Children , Jan/Feb2009, Vol. 41 Issue 3, p40-51, 12p, Database:
OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson)

Using Technology to Create and Administer Accessible Tests By: Salend, Spencer.
Teaching Exceptional Children , Jan/Feb2009, Vol. 41 Issue 3, p40-51, 12p,