Technology Lesson Demonstration

Technology Tool

My lesson plan is a district-provided language arts curriculum for special education. The standard I am addressing is the Core Content Connector of 9-10.RL.10: “Use strategies to derive meaning from a variety of texts and mediums”. Students are reading “The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie. They recently completed a sorting activity for metaphors and similies found in the text. I plan to use the Artificial Intelligence image creator called Midjourney to incorporate a visual component to a discussion about the visuals metaphors and similies try to convey. Midjourney takes text prompts and generates beautiful and complex visual representations. Visual aids are a component of the Universal Design for Learning theory, and students with autism particularly benefit from concrete visuals (Boutot, 2017). One of my students with autism has had a hard time understanding what similies and metaphors are. I think the Midjourney tool will be effective in giving him a visual example of the image the author is trying to convey. Other students have expressed boredom with the topic of literary styles, and think the chance to use this new technology tool will increase their engagement as well as understanding. 

One major benefit of technology is its ability to provide equity through access (Hughes & Roblyer, 2022). The curriculum I use is a District-Provided Google Slides Unit plan embedded with differentiation supports. The text we are reading has been provided in three modified tiers of complexity with added color supports and icons. Graphic organizers are provided with optional cut-and-paste text boxes that have pre-selected similies and metaphors. I have the option of assigning this activity virtually through Google Classroom or printing out worksheets. My approach to meet the different needs in my classroom is to read the modified text on the smart board, then assign differentiated levels of simile and metaphor sorting to my students according to their reading level. Some students can independently find similies in the text and type them into a virtual document. Other students can cut out the provided quotes and paste them on a printed graphic organizer with help from a paraprofessional. The use of Midjourney will be scaffolded based on ability level. Some students can generate their own imaginative prompts and revise their image until they get exactly what they want, while other students will copy a direct quote into the program with support, and select their favorite image that is automatically generated.  

References:

Boutot, A. (2017). Autism Spectrum Disorders (2nd ed.). Pearson.

Hughes, J. E., & Roblyer, M. D. (2022). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching: Transforming Learning Across Disciplines [RENTAL EDITION] (9th ed.). Pearson.

Example of Student Assignment:

Simile: "Brain grease works inside your brain like car grease works inside an engine."

The author describes how he understands his condition of hydrocephalus by comparing his brain to a car engine that flooded.