Diverse Populations and Technology

The modern classroom is no longer a homogeneous group of learners. The U.S.

Department of education, under President Obamas Administration, recognized the need for

supporting student populations that include: students with disabilities, English Language

Learners, migrant students, homeless children, neglected and delinquent children, and rural

students. This range of diversity in the classroom, although representative of the real world,

presents a challenge for a teacher to meet the individual needs of all students. Student diversity

requires differentiation, technology can help teachers diversify and personalize lessons and

skills enhancement to each childs specific needs. In addition, technology can be used to help

any student with motivation, academic skills, and social development (Zorigian & Job,

2017). Incorporating technology also ensures all students, regardless of needs, are granted

equal access to 21st century learning which is critical for their future success in education,

employment, and community opportunities. More importantly, Technology can equip students

to independently organize their learning process. So, instead of being passive recipients of

information, students using technology become active users (Moeller & Reitzes, 2011).

Teachers may wonder how to give students access to technology without sacrificing

content. According to Lisa Wahl and Julie Duffield, technology can support a number of

research-based strategies and common core aligned curriculums (2005). Meaning instructors

can spend more time assisting individual students see academic growth and less time fighting to

figure out what tools and content will meet state and district standards, as well as, individual

student needs/goals.

There is no question that technology provides a plethora of support for teachers and

diverse students in the classroom. The problem is despite this truth, the potential of this

technology remains unavailable to students and teachers. Teachers do not receive the

appropriate professional development they need to integrate these tech tools successfully. As
with most PD teachers also are not given adequate time to figure out how these tools support

instruction in individual classrooms (Wahl & Duffield 2005).

Luis Perez and Kendra Grant developed a list of 27 tools for diverse learners:
https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=434 a few to note
http://www.chromevox.com/ allows students to have content read aloud to them through
Chrome; works beautifully with students who struggle to read, read screen displays, and those
with limited English proficiency
https://evernote.com/clearly/ offers students clear, clean, concise, versions of articles and
texts and has an option for highlighting and copying important information directly from the text
http://www.evernote.com/ allow students multiple ways of taking and saving notes from class
activities; including photos, audio recording, typing in, or handwriting notes.

Shelly Terrell provided an additional 20 free apps for supporting students:

http://www.techlearning.com/default.aspx?tabid=100&entryid=4583
Fotobabble:http://www.fotobabble.com/ and Videolicious: https://videolicious.com/ definitely fit
into a high school or mid school setting where students love to take photos or videos of
themselves and share content with their peers.

References
Bray, L. M., Brown, A., & Green, T. D. (2004). Technology and the diverse learner. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Moeller. B., & Reitzes, T. (2011). Integrating technology with student-centered learning. Quincy,
MA: Nellie Mae Education Foundation.

Perez, L., & Grant, K. (2015, June 8). 27 tools for diverse learner. Retrieved from
https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=434

Terrell, S. (2012, July 31). 20 Fun Free Apps that Promote Student Centered Learning &
Literacy. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/default.aspx?tabid=100&entryid=4583

Wahl, L., & Duffield, J. (n.d.). WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO - wested.org. Retrieved July 25,
2017, from
http://www.bing.com/cr?IG=9AB3C9581C2A42368D4F68FF8E56DF3C&CID=35BEFF234ECE6
F5A1B3CF5E94FC86EDC&rd=1&h=ivh4HZ-
_7HFVLsod1AI6_8Tc_8glDlLjPApLmADheG0&v=1&r=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wested.org%2fonlin
e_pubs%2fkn-05-01.pdf&p=DevEx,5060.1

Zorigian, K., & Job, J. (n.d.). How do special education students benefit from technology?
Retrieved July 25, 2017, from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/p