Learning Something New Everyday: What Does It Mean to Differentiate?

"Can't I just email you a link to my blog, Miss?"

One of the current hot topics in education right now is differentiating instruction. As educators we all know we are supposed to be individualizing but what does it really mean to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of all learners? From an elementary perspective I can honestly say that early childhood educators (preschool to second grade) have been differentiating for years-out of necessity! Our children come to us from so many different situations and such varying levels of background knowledge that if we are to meet our curriculum goals we MUST differentiate. Teachers have to find a way to “make it happen” for each individual student. If a student needs to wander around to accomplish a task, we let them. If a child needs manipulatives to complete a math problem, we provide it. If a child has to have a hug to begin work for the day, we hug them. It is understood and accepted as a part of the job for early elementary educators but I think much of this acknowledgment of individualization disappears as students head into testing grade levels. The pressure to perform on tests and to cover content seems to overtake the need to address uniqueness in learning. If all educators were trained to embrace differentiation I think we’d see the testing pressures begin to diminish because students who feel empowered in learning will meet the set testing goals.

If you differentiate instruction in your classroom you will:

provide instruction at all levels of achievement

set high expectations for ALL students

allow for the diversity of learners

encourage inclusion of all learners (EC, regular ed., AIG)

meet student needs-educationally and emotionally

address varying learning modalities (visual, kinesthetic, auditory)

utilize Bloom’s Taxonomy and understand multiple intelligences

present content in a variety of ways

Differentiation can occur in any combination of three realms: student interest, skill readiness (student background schema), or student learning profile (the way they learn best). To differentiate in any of these areas you can make individualized changes within four domains.

*Content-some examples of differentiating within this domain include providing reading materials at varying reading levels, providing information in another format such as books on tape or computer, varying spelling or vocabulary lists to match the learner, small group or individual instruction as well as whole group information.

*Process-some examples of individualizing within this domain include tiered assignments, varying levels of support provided by the instructor, interest-based assignments, personal contracts or agendas, flexible grouping and hands-on or manipulative supports when needed.

*Product-some examples of differentiating within this realm include providing optional ways to present the learning outcome (role play, powerpoint presentation, oral report, website creation), rubrics made to fit the learner’s level of performance/ability, choice in whether to work individually or collaboratively, and student created assignments reflective of the content being taught.

*Learning Environment-examples in this domain would include arranging areas for individual and/or collaborative work, choices in where to complete work, options to stand or sit when working, classroom materials/displays that reflect the diversity of the school community, and consistent routines for work performance (clear guidelines).

There are so many positive reasons to differentiate instruction. It promotes student success which will help combat the student dropout rate and raise test scores. It encourages both independence and creativity in learning. It allows for collaboration among students and teachers. Student understanding occurs rather than just memorization of facts. Students feel empowered about learning when a teacher differentiates for them. It is our job as educators to KNOW our students and it is our job as the trainers of our future leaders to DIFFERENTIATE instruction to create the strongest individuals we can!