Professional Research and Reflection Ranelle Woolrich

Differentiating Instruction to Include All Students By Kelly M. Anderson Assistant Professor at UNC Charlotte College of Education Department of Special Education and Child Development

What is DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION? Not a new concept Stems from belief in learner differences Implies purpose of schools is to maximize capabilities of ALL students Acknowledges each student’s unique learning style and preferences Creates learning environment that excludes no child All students are engaged and participating in learning

Critical Elements of DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION Choice Flexibility On-going assessment Creativity RESULTING IN Differentiation of: Content, Development of Skills, & Assessment

Critical Elements cont… CONTENT: Adapt what is planned for students to learn Adapt how students will gain access to knowledge, understanding, and skills Integrate a variety of skills levels all arriving at the same objectives and performance expectations

Critical Elements cont… DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS Cluster groups according to readiness Leveled questions based on readiness leading to same objective Tiering independent activities Individualized homework enrichment projects

Critical Elements, cont… Assessment Choice boards Open-ended lists of product options Purpose of any assessment would be to measure what they have learned

Getting started! Learner profiles Modify a few lessons (i.e. with a choice board of activities) Introduce differentiated projects (i.e. choice of group work or individual work; list of project options; variety of teacher involvement necessary)

Questions to consider: How would you define differentiated instruction? Can teachers effectively reach students according to their unique learning styles and preferences? What are the challenges of differentiated instruction? Can differentiated instruction coexist with emphasis on standardized testing?