Gregg Gudelinis

Introduction

The main goal of this mini course is to help educational professionals explore an online version of differentiated instruction in Reading skills. Differentiated teachers create lessons that reflect their student’s interests and abilities. However, there is more to the process than just a pre-assessment. Ever student learns at their own rate. With this online program students can go at their own speed and get reinforced material throughout their time spent online.

- How can lessons actively engage students in learning?

- What reading skills will teachers focus their activities on?

- How can teachers strengthen student understanding?

Needs Assessment

Part 1: Intent

All educators have one time or another asked themselves: are my students learning?

Learning looks different for each teacher and each student. For this very reason alone online individualized instruction is important. Assessing your students learning happens in a variety of ways. Educators have certain standards to reach or they could lose their jobs and the public sees how their students do nowadays. Educators are graded on how many students pass exams no matter the subject area or disability a child might have. Now with the common core, the state of New York has stated students must reach proficient level 75% in ELA.

Part 2: What is to be learned

After completing the mini course, educators will be able to create an individualized program for each student. Educators will know how students’ progress is measured throughout a semester. I will also give strategies to use such as tips for any teachers who wish to try it.

Part 3: The Learners

In the mini-course, learners will be educational professionals on any and every level that are seeking knowledge on how to increase student achievement through best practices around assessments. This mini-course will be for any educator who wishes to find more time for instructional practice instead of lecture. An educator who feels the learning process goes beyond the classroom and are looking for ways to enhance their students learning.

Part 4: Context for Instruction

The instruction will take place online. All lessons will need to be finished at the time that is instructed for the educational professionals to get the most of this mini-course. This entire course will be on-line so any students who which to participate will need to have access to a computer throughout this mini-course. Instruction will be asked to read and discuss particular articles and journals as well as listening to some lecture. Students will also be assessed through on-line discussions and activities.

Part 5: Exploring the Instruction

Learners will explore the units within the mini course to introduce themselves to the best practices. By engaging in each of the activities and learning tasks, learners will be provided with hands on experiences. The experiences will give teachers the understanding and introductory skills to implement data driven instruction into their everyday teaching. Students of this course will continuously be exposed to new ideas. Students will be sharing ideas with each other through discussion boards to continue their learning from others not just the teacher.

Part 6: Goals

The main goal of the mini-course is for participants to gain a better understanding of the key principles of an online differentiated reading instruction. At the end of this mini-course, I want each participant to know about differentiated instruction and how they use it themselves. I want them to feel confident in their new found ability and be willing to use as well as pass along their experiences with fellow educators in their building, school district, conferences etc.. When they finish this course, they’ll be knowledge about using the online reading instruction and use the new found strategies in the near future.

Analysis of the Learner and Context

My instruction for this mini-course will be based on the following questions: 1) What is an individualized online reading program? 2) How can an individualized online program be successful? 3) How can it be integrated into a classroom?

Performance Objectives

Performance Objectives Learning Objectives for the Individualized Online Reading Program Students will be able to explain what an individualized reading program is through discussion. Students will be able to identify the pros and cons of an individualized reading program. Students will be able to identify characteristics of successful online programs as well as identify characteristics of unsuccessful online programs. Students will be able to develop a lesson plan using the online program. Assessment Strategies On-line discussion with their fellow students. This will help explore ideas and get students talking about online individualized reading program. Individual personal reflections on how students feel about the concept and sharing ideas of how they could use it in their classroom.