Learning Connections

Writing tools for Differentiating Instruction
By Kylie Stewart, Diana Greer, and Sean Smith

While in the classroom, you notice that your kids learn differently. Some are kinesthetic learners, others are visual, others are auditory and many are a combination of all of these learning styles. In this article, the authors describe different technological programs that can assist students to fit their learning style while in the writing process. For example, one program is called "Inspiration" allows students to integrate their visual learning style into the writing process. It allows students to brainstorm and map out ideas by using graphics. Once students are finished with creating their visual representation, they are able to switch to the outline format and start writing.

Q1:What are some of the programs that seem most useful for students and why?
A1: Speech Synthesis can be used on both Mac and Windows operating system, which makes it available to a variety of users who may already have computer systems. Also, Speech Synthesis converts text into sound and connects the visual and auditory representations of the word. Another program, Draft-Builder, helps students by breaking down writing into sections such as planning, organizing and drafting. It also allows students to match their learning style to their writing.

Q2:How can you use this technology in a low income school?
A2: The article mentioned that Speech Synthesizer was cost effective, which is helpful. Also, if the schools were to get the programs on even a few machines, it could be helpful to students and teachers could use the technology to revise their own in class lessons.