1. Using Engaging and Empowering Software Solutions to Differentiate Instruction Session 1: Thursday, July 23, 9:15-11:45am Session 2: Thursday, July 23, 12:45-3:30pm Facilitators: Valrie Edwards & James McDermott Dept. of eLearning Services, OCSAE Dept. of eLearning Services, OCSAE Janet Zarecor, Renzulli Learning System Janet Zarecor, Renzulli Learning System

2. A G E N D A Welcome & Introductions Welcome & Introductions How can educational software differentiate instruction? How can educational software differentiate instruction? Differentiate instruction with DimensionM Differentiate instruction with Renzulli Differentiate instruction with DimensionM Differentiate instruction with Renzulli Reflection Reflection Evaluation Evaluation

3. “The biggest mistake of past centuries in teaching has been to treat all children as if they were variants of the same individual, and thus to feel justified in teaching them the same subjects in the same ways”. Howard Gardner

4. Differentiation of Instruction “ is a teacher’s response to learner’s needs guided by general principles of differentiation such as: Respectful Tasks Flexible Grouping Ongoing Assessment & Adjustments” Carol Ann Tomlinson

5. Differentiation of Instruction is a teacher’s response to learner’s needs.

6. Why differentiate instruction? Large class sizes Large class sizes Lack of engagement Lack of engagement Lack of practice and application Lack of practice and application Lack of time on task Lack of time on task Different learning styles Different learning styles

7. How do online environments engage and empower students? Provide learning experiences based on Provide learning experiences based on –abilities, learning styles, interest & expressions Provide immediate feedback Provide immediate feedback Provide opportunities for collaboration and peer tutoring Provide opportunities for collaboration and peer tutoring

8. Virtual environments promote 21st-century skills lead to student achievement lead to student achievement –digital-age literacy –inventive thinking –effective communication –high productivity More collaboration and peer tutoring More collaboration and peer tutoring Engage and motivate Engage and motivate Promote critical thinking Promote critical thinking Increase time on tasks Increase time on tasks

9. Tabula Digita’s DimensionM DimensionM™is an immersive video game which reinforces pre-algebra and algebra objectives through a series of missions that bring math into a world that today's students understand. www.tabuladigita.com

10. DimensionM supports your critical challenges Alignment to NY state standards Alignment to NY state standards Track and report customized results Track and report customized results Support instruction for high impact objectives Support instruction for high impact objectives Integrate differentiated instructional strategies Integrate differentiated instructional strategies Introduce new math concepts Introduce new math concepts Reinforce student learning and mastery Reinforce student learning and mastery Extend learning into the home Extend learning into the home Target key math objectives covered on your state test Target key math objectives covered on your state test Capture your students interest in mastering math Capture your students interest in mastering math

11. How does DimensionM differentiates instruction? Pre-assessment Readiness to learn Intrinsic motivation and active, student-centered learning Preferred mode of learning Flexible grouping opportunities Process and learning modalities

12. Timed races increase competition and engagement Instructions tell students what to do Points are awarded based on solving the math Multiple users can play in the same environment DimensionM Multiplayer Educational Games Math presented in game

13. Effectiveness and Accountability: Reporting Skill and topic proficiency can be assessed at the group (e.g. district) or individual level

14. We must engage today’s students in the learning process and educational gaming is a powerful method that allows for differentiated instruction with demonstrated results.

15. Renzulli

17. Reflection Evaluation