| Cortney Roberts, ED.D |
Response to Intervention (RTI) is identified as a multi-tiered approach to support students with academic and behavior needs (National Center on Learning Disabilities, 2020). This approach commonly begins with universal screening and high-level instructional practices for all students in general education. Learners that demonstrate a substantial gap in foundational skills are provided with interventions at increasing levels known as “tiers” to aid in addressing gaps in learning. However, educators are now faced with effectively addressing students’ needs in a completely online environment.
Though educators employ many technology applications to assist with instruction, it may be tricky to determine tools that best support providing interventions to students that demonstrate a need. Educators always need to put in time and effort to implement RTI. The use of technology reduces the barriers to educators and school leaders and reduces the resources necessary to support the process (Knestrick, 2013). Let us explore some popular tools and discuss how they can support the RTI process:
Microsoft Excel:
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet system developed by Microsoft. Excel showcases features such as graphing tools, tables, and calculations that make it easier for a student’s intervention data to be recorded, analyzed, and graphed. This allows educators to quickly have access to and display data so that intervention outcomes can be determined, and problem-solving can continue. Excel is commonly available on many desktop and laptop computers, including mobile devices, which increases its usability.
Video Conferring:
Video conferencing is the ability to communicate visually and verbally via an electronic device and software applications such as Zoom and Teams. This tool allows for the opportunity for educators to provide specialized instruction or interventions for students that have demonstrated a need for academic or behavioral support. Educators may meet with students one-to-one or in small groups as designated by the intervention plan. Students and teachers have the flexibility with schedules and curriculum to implement.
Educational Software/ Online Learning Programs:
Educational Software and Online learning programs are automated academic programs that provide academic or behavior support by requiring them to participate in a sequence of lessons designed explicitly by the owner of the software or electronic platform. Depending on the program, students may receive instruction or intervention in a targeted area commonly identified by an electronic pretest or screener. These platforms are helpful to the RTI process because they allow the student to participate in lessons that target a specific skill deficient. Educators may see student participation and outcomes in real-time. Educators may monitor the intervention of many students and assigned targeted lessons to one or more students. The learning programs often can collect and analyze data for multiple students simultaneously, which leads to quick results and efficiency.
Computer-based Assessments:
Computer-based assessment is the ability to provide tests and quizzes to students in an online environment by way of a mobile device or computer instead of pencil and paper. This is helpful to the RTI process because it allows for educators to gather intervention data quickly at various times. Students may participate in assessments at the best available times with prompt feedback and results. Educators can use this data to identify the problem and design appropriate intervention plans. These assessments may also be used to monitor student progress as they participate in interventions.
The tools identified above are just the start of the long list of technology that may be integrated into the work of RTI. For RTI implementation to work well, it must be implemented with fidelity, and rigorously, the integration of technology helps to make this statement a reality.
References
National Center for Learning Disabilities. (2020). Retrieved from http://www.rtinetwork.org
Knestrick, J. (2013). The benefits of leveraging technology to implement RTI. Retrieved from https://www.nwea.org/blog/2013/the-benefits-of-leveraging-technology-to-implement-rti/