At a Glance
- Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that tailors instruction to students’ different learning needs.
- It lets students show what they know in different ways.
- It doesn’t replace the goals in a child’s IEP or 504 plan.
What is differentiation in teaching and learning?
Differentiation refers to a wide variety of teaching techniques and lesson adaptations that educators use to instruct a diverse group of students, with diverse learning needs, in the same course, classroom, or learning environment. Differentiation is commonly used in “heterogeneous grouping”—an educational strategy in which students ...
What are the components of differentiated instruction?
Also called “differentiated instruction,” differentiation typically entails modifications to practice (how teachers deliver instruction to students), process (how the lesson is designed for students), products (the kinds of work products students will be asked to complete), content (the specific readings, research,...
What are some examples of product differentiation in the classroom?
Examples of differentiating products at the elementary level include the following: Giving students options of how to express required learning (e.g., create a puppet show, write a letter, or develop a mural with labels); Using rubrics that match and extend students' varied skills levels;
What are examples of differentiating learning environment at the elementary level?
Examples of differentiating learning environment at the elementary level include: Making sure there are places in the room to work quietly and without distraction, as well as places that invite student collaboration; Providing materials that reflect a variety of cultures and home settings;
What is your definition of differentiation?
Definition of differentiation 1 : the act or process of differentiating. 2 : development from the one to the many, the simple to the complex, or the homogeneous to the heterogeneous differentiation of Latin into vernaculars. 3 biology. a : modification of body parts for performance of particular functions.
What are some examples of differentiation in the classroom?
Examples of differentiating the process: Provide textbooks for visual and word learners. Allow auditory learners to listen to audio books. Give kinesthetic learners the opportunity to complete an interactive assignment online.
Why is it important to differentiate in the classroom?
The objective of differentiation is to lift the performance of all students, including those who are falling behind and those ahead of year level expectations. Differentiation benefits students across the learning continuum, including students who are highly able and gifted.
Why is differentiated learning important?
Differentiated instruction excites the brilliant student to uncover deeper layers of learning, while simultaneously structuring curriculum to support lower level students or students with learning disabilities- both identified and unidentified.
What is an example of differentiation strategy?
Differentiation strategy allows a company to compete in the market with something other than lower prices. For example, a candy company may differentiate their candy by improving the taste or using healthier ingredients.
What are differentiation strategies in teaching?
Differentiated teaching occurs when a teacher plans a lesson that adjusts either the content being discussed, the process used to learn or the product expected from students to ensure that learners at different starting points can receive the instruction they need to grow and succeed.
What does differentiated instruction look like in the classroom?
“Differentiated instruction is a proactively planned, interdependent system marked by a positive community of learners, focused high-quality curriculum, ongoing assessment, flexible instructional arrangements, [and] respectful tasks.”
What are 3 elements of differentiated instruction?
As teachers begin to differentiate instruction, there are three main instructional elements that they can adjust to meet the needs of their learners: Content—the knowledge and skills students need to master. Process—the activities students use to master the content. Product—the method students use to demonstrate ...
What would happen if we followed the path of differentiation by outcome?
If we follow the path of differentiating by outcome, with the worryingly common ‘all, most, some’ model, then we could inadvertently lower the effort of some young people – and in our attempt to be fully inclusive, actually detract from their learning, limiting their potential.
Why is it important to choose one outcome?
Crucially, that outcome should prove challenging, flexible, open ended and meaningful.
How does self selection help students?
By encouraging students to self-select such carefully targeted tools, we not only encourage differentiation, but also empower our students to learn far beyond the reaches of the classroom.
How to meet the needs of different students?
First, to meet the needs of our different students we must adapt the curriculum – the ‘what’ of teaching – without ever lowering our expectations.
Can teachers use a catalogue of worksheets?
We need to be careful with this one. Too easily, there can emerge an expectation for teachers to use a catalogue of different worksheets with little real effect. Some tools can be low effort but have high impact – for example, a literacy mat, a usable checklist or some well-placed exemplar models.
Who defines differentiation?
A handy working definition of differentiation – though still very broad – is provided by Simon Coffey, when he describes it as “A philosophy of education that recognises that pupils learn differently, that is, at different speeds but also qualitatively differently”.
Who is Alex Quigley?
Alex Quigley is an English teacher and director of learning and research and Huntington School. His latest book, The Confident Teacher, is available now, published by Routledge. For more information, visit huntingenglish.com or follow @HuntingEnglish.
Differentiation In The Classroom
As educators we all recognise that differentiation in the classroom is vital as students are individuals who learn at different rates and in different ways. However, planning, programming and assessing for the wide variety of needs and interests of multi-age and multi-ability classes can be quite a challenge!
14 Strategies To Differentiate In The Classroom
1. Once you have given whole class instruction, give small group lessons to reinforce the learning and to check for understanding.
Marie Amaro
Marie is the author of Habits of Highly Effective Teachers and is a passionate educator, with over 30 years experience working in education. Marie is a speaker, presenter and specialises in positive behaviour management, teacher wellbeing, restorative practices and school culture.
What does differentiation mean in teaching?
Differentiating instruction may mean teaching the same material to all students using a variety of instructional strategies, or it may require the teacher to deliver lessons at varying levels of difficulty based on the ability of each student.
How does differentiation work?
Each student has a preferred learning style, and successful differentiation includes delivering the material to each style: visual, auditory and kinesthetic, and through words. This process-related method also addresses the fact that not all students require the same amount of support from the teacher, and students could choose to work in pairs, small groups, or individually. And while some students may benefit from one-on-one interaction with you or the classroom aide, others may be able to progress by themselves. Teachers can enhance student learning by offering support based on individual needs.
Why is differentiated instruction important?
Research shows differentiated instruction is effective for high-ability students as well as students with mild to severe disabilities. When students are given more options on how they can learn material, they take on more responsibility for their own learning.
What are the levels of learning?
The six levels are: remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Students who are unfamiliar with a lesson could be required to complete tasks on the lower levels: remembering and understanding.
How do teachers differentiate instruction?
According to Tomlinson, teachers can differentiate instruction through four ways: 1) content, 2) process, 3) product, and 4) learning environment. 1. Content. As you already know, fundamental lesson content should cover the standards of learning set by the school district or state educational standards.
Why is assistive technology important in special education?
Create partnerships where the students are of equal ability, partnerships where once the student will be challenged by their partner and another time they will be pushing and challenging their partner. Assistive technology is often an important component of differential instruction in special education.
What is differentiation in education?
Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction.
What are some examples of differentiating content at the elementary level?
Examples of differentiating content at the elementary level include the following: Meeting with small groups to re-teach an idea or skill for struggling learners, or to extend the thinking or skills of advanced learners.
What are some examples of differentiating processes?
Examples of differentiating process or activities at the elementary level include the following: Using tiered activities through which all learners work with the same important understandings and skills, but proceed with different levels of support, challenge, or complexity;
Why is it important to vary the length of time a student may take to complete a task?
Varying the length of time a student may take to complete a task in order to provide additional support for a struggling learner or to encourage an advanced learner to pursue a topic in greater depth.
What are some examples of learning environments?
Examples of differentiating learning environment at the elementary level include: Making sure there are places in the room to work quietly and without distraction, as well as places that invite student collaboration; Providing materials that reflect a variety of cultures and home settings;
What is content in education?
Content – what the student needs to learn or how the student will get access to the information;
What are the four types of classroom elements?
Image:#N#There are four types of classroom elements These include content process product and learning environment which can all be differentiated by teachers according to the readiness and interests and learning profile of students
What are the elements of differentiated learning?
This includes classroom elements (content, process, product and learning environment) in relation to student needs (readiness, interest and learning profile).
What is an assessment in a lesson?
On-going assessment (assessment for and as learning) throughout the lesson sequence/unit sharpens the teacher’s sense of what is working and what is not yet working for all the students in the class. It enables the teacher to continue working with students in ways that target their particular strengths and needs in light of important learning intentions/goals.
What is differentiation in education?
Differentiation refers to the responses that teachers make to learners’ needs. Effective differentiation functions on the premise that every student can do remarkable things with the appropriate guidance and support.
What is the purpose of providing several learning options or different paths to learning?
provide several learning options or different paths to learning, to help students take in information and make sense of concepts and skills
Why are classrooms more effective?
Classrooms are more effective and inviting when responsibility for their operation is shared by all members of the learning community.
What are the elements of a presentation?
Those elements may include time, space, groupings, materials, mode s of presentation, modes of investigation, resources and instructional strategies.
What Is Differentiated Instruction?
This is where differentiated instruction comes into play; it allows teachers to plan for and reach students at these differing levels, while teaching the same skill or concept. Differentiation, or differentiated instruction, refers to the teacher providing scaffolds to and extensions from the grade-level skill they are teaching in order to meet each learner at their level.
How does reflection help students?
This reflection helps the teacher know where to begin when sitting down with an individual student, and it also guides the student to know what questions to ask.
What is learning environment?
Learning Environment is sometimes considered an element of differentiated instruction as well, meaning the physical classroom space as well as the feeling of safety and support within the classroom.
What is the goal of teaching a skill?
Product: If the goal of teaching a skill is mastery , then students should be able to demonstrate this in many different ways. Offering a menu of choices or a more open-ended project to show mastery will allow students to express their knowledge in a way that is most comfortable and effective for them.
Why is it important to create a classroom environment?
Furthermore, a learning environment also consists of students feeling safe and respected in the classroom, so effective classroom management techniques and overall demeanor are important to consider as well.
What is the purpose of teaching small groups?
This strategy allows teachers to focus in on just a few students at a time and really come to understand where each student is with a particular skill and what is needed to move them forward.
What does it mean to enroll in a course?
Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams.
