What Is Differentiated Instruction?
If you have a teenager who already knows what they plan to do with their future or one who likes more of a challenge in their education, differentiated instruction may be what they need. This type of education is also ideal for kids with challenges, such as those who struggle with typical coursework or get bored easily.
What Is Differentiated Instruction?
Differentiated instruction is coursework that is tailored to meet a person’s individual needs. The teacher may differentiate the content, the curriculum, the process of teaching, or even the learning environment. It requires continued assessment to see what methods are successful and flexibility to adapt and change as needed.
Differentiated instruction is best achieved in a one-on-one or small classroom setting. The instructor will make changes based on the interest of the student, their readiness, or how they learn. These changes occur in one or more of the four ways:
The teacher determines the content based on what the student needs to learn and how they can access the information.
The teacher chooses activities for the student to help them master the information.
The teacher selects projects that allow the student to demonstrate their knowledge of the information.
The teacher designs the classroom to enhance the student’s learning.
Examples of Differentiated Learning
Content
To differentiate content, the teacher may use audio for the materials or combine audio and visuals. They may assign reading buddies or have vocabulary lists at the readiness level of the student. The teacher may create small groups to go over an idea for those who struggle with certain concepts.
Process
The teacher may develop tiered activities that work through a concept. Each student must complete the skills, but the support and complexity may vary based on the student. The student may have access to special areas that allow them to explore subsets of the overall topic based on their interests. The teacher might vary deadlines to account for those students who need more time to complete a project.
Products
The teacher may allow the students to work in small groups on a project instead of individually. They may ask the students to create their own assignments that meet the required criteria. Teachers can also differentiate by allowing the student to use different ways to express the required learning. For instance, they may write a letter or use art to express a concept.
Learning Environment
A teacher can differentiate the learning environment, which is generally the classroom, by setting up areas where the students can work without distraction or in small groups or pairs. They can develop routines that allow the students to work independently or to get help when the teacher is working with another student. The teacher can also provide options for students who need to move around while studying.
Leading Edge Academy strives to help students achieve their potential through differentiated learning. We have several campus locations around Arizona to reach a wider number of children. You can find out more about us or enroll online.