Professional Research and ReflectionRanelle Woolrich

Differentiating Instruction to Include All

StudentsBy Kelly M. AndersonAssistant Professor at UNC Charlotte

College of Education

Department of Special Education and Child Development

What is DIFFERENTIATING

INSTRUCTION?Not a new conceptStems from belief in learner differencesImplies purpose of schools is to maximize capabilities of ALL studentsAcknowledges each student’s unique learning style and preferencesCreates learning environment that excludes no childAll students are engaged and participating in learning

Critical Elements of DIFFERENTIATING

INSTRUCTIONChoiceFlexibilityOn-going assessmentCreativity

RESULTING INDifferentiation 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 profilesModify 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?