Technology-Based Resources for Differentiation

iReady Math 

iReady Math is a program teachers can use to differentiate their instruction to the needs of their students and monitor their progress with ease throughout the school year (iReady, n.d.). This digital tool is easy to use as an independent learning center during small group instruction. Students can navigate it easily and teachers decide what students are doing or students can go through their MyPath, which is tailored to students needs. The cost for iReady math is about $30 a year per student. There is also a minimum purchase of 150 student licenses required. This is a digital resource that is user friendly for teachers and students. Teachers are able to go into the website and assign personalized instruction to students based on what they need for lessons, whether it is foundational math skills or something to challenge them. For students they easily sign in and select the lesson they want to do. Students earn coins as they complete lessons and games to purchase different games with to keep students engaged. This resource makes it easy to differentiate for each and every student by learning levels and styles. Students are engaged in the characters, lessons, and games. Real world strategies, observation, math talk, and much more is used in this program.

Sumdog

Sumdog is a technology-based resource that students can practice and improve their math skills with low stakes while feeling positive about math (Sumdog, n.d.). This is an easy, independent practice opportunity that students can do on their iPads quietly while other students do small group work or centers. The cost for Sumdog Math is $250 for a year of use in one class. There are other options where you can get a quote for an entire school/grade level/district. This is a user-friendly digital tool for teachers and students. Teachers can assign practice skills for students to do during their games or have the program assign to students what foundational skills they need to work on. Students are entertained and engaged in the learning using games that have multiple choice questions in them. Students can receive virtual rewards that motivate them to improve their skills (Sumdog, n.d.).

Epic

Epic is a digital tool that was created to make books more accessible to kids. Students are able to find books to read easily by searching words, characters, or something that interests them. For students that are still in the process of learning to read, there are books that read to them so they can enjoy a large variety of books. The cost of Epic is free for schools. Students can use the app for free using their class code from 7am-3pm. If students wanted to use this source at home outside of those times the family would have to pay for them to use it. It is easy for teachers and students to use. Teachers can create book sets based on what students are learning in reading, science, SEL, or any subject area. The book sets or specific books can be assigned for students to read, some books even have a quick quiz at the end to check for comprehension. For students, they can look up books they would like to read or listen to. After using it for a while, the app will recommend books based on what the student likes to read.

Technology-Enriched Learning experience

Sumdog and iReady reading are great digital tools for differentiation during math centers and small group instruction. When the teacher is working with a small group at the back table, students can be quietly working on their iPads independently on one of these resources. These are great resources to use in this case because they are tailored to the students’ abilities and skills while being engaging. Students can track their growth through the coins they get on either game to ‘buy’ virtual rewards with.

 

Resources

Epic. (n.d.) About epic. Epic. https://www.getepic.com/about

iReady. (n.d.). What is i-ready? iReady Family Center. https://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/what-is-i-ready/

Sumdog. (n.d.). Welcome to sumdog! Sumdog. https://learn.sumdog.com/en-gb/about-us

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