My Job Title: Instructional Technology Coach

My School: Public, Elementary, Personalized learning

This list is based on tools that address the ISTE Standard for Educators 2.5.a:      

Accommodate Learner Differences

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#1 Seesaw

          Pre-K - 5

          All Subjects

          PD, Portfolio

          Some Training Required

How I Might Use It

Seesaw serves as a versatile platform to accommodate learner differences (ISTE Educator Standard 2.5.a) among preschool teachers and instructional assistants by providing differentiated professional learning experiences. Teachers and instructional assistants, with their varying roles and technology skill levels, receive distinct learning sessions and resources tailored to their specific needs. For instance, instructional assistants may receive more foundational guidance on technology tools and software, while teachers engage with deeper instructional planning strategies. This personalized learning helps all educators achieve their monthly instructional goals for technology integration, fostering independent learning in their own professional practice.

Furthermore, by using Seesaw learning features like activities and the journal for self-paced and in-person learning with their Instructional Technology Coach, and for documenting their planning, they simultaneously experience the tool as learners. This strengthens their own technology fundamentals (ISTE Student Standard 1.1.d) and prepares them to effectively support their preschool students in choosing and using technology with intention.

Connected to Transformational Learning Principles: Guide (Spark Curiosity)
 

Demonstrates Evidence of the 5 Edtech Quality Indicators:

Safe, Evidence-Based, Inclusive, Usable, Interoperable

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#2 Canva

          Pre-K - Adult

          All Subjects

          PD, Teacher Tool

          Some Training Required

How I Might Use It

Canva is a powerful tool to accommodate learner differences (ISTE Educator Standard 2.5.a) by allowing the creation of flexible, personalized professional learning experiences for preschool staff. The narrated slide decks provide comprehensive resources that staff can access on demand, fostering independent learning at their own pace. The narrated feature addresses diverse learning needs by providing auditory context to visual information, preventing misinterpretation, and supporting staff who cannot attend live sessions. This approach supports instructional assistants and teachers with varied technology skill levels, ensuring all can engage deeply with the content.

Furthermore, this use of Canva directly models how staff can utilize the same tool to create visually engaging, accessible, and guided learning resources for their own students. By experiencing Canva as a well-organized learning delivery platform, teachers and assistants strengthen their own technology fundamentals (ISTE Student Standard 1.1.d), preparing them to effectively choose and use technology to support student learning.

Connected to Transformational Learning Principles: Guide (Spark Curiosity)

Demonstrates Evidence of the 5 Edtech Quality Indicators:

Safe, Evidence-Based, Inclusive, Usable

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This article is part of a program to help showcase the work of ISTE+ASCD Certified Educators. Educators' views about each tool are their own and not verified or endorsed by ISTE+ASCD. 

The 5 Edtech Quality Indicators framework is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0