What is differentiated instruction?

Differentiation based on research and writings of: Carol Ann Tomlinson Professor of Educational Leadership University of Virginia

What is differentiated instruction? “In a differentiated classroom, the teacher proactively plans and carries out varied approaches to content, process, and product in anticipation of and response to student differences in readiness, interest, and learning needs.” How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms (Tomlinson, ASCD, 2001)

Differentiation isn’t a strategy Differentiation isn’t a strategy. It’s a way of thinking about all you do when you teach... Carol Ann Tomlinson, The Differentiated Classroom (1999)

Differentiation Non-Negotiables Supportive learning environment Continuous assessment High-quality curriculum Respectful tasks Flexible grouping

The Cogs of Differentiation Tomlinson, 2003

What Do I Differentiate?

What Do I Differentiate? Content Process Product Learning Environment Assessments

What Do I Differentiate? Content Process Product Environment Assessments Curriculum Presentation Pacing Materials

What Do I Differentiate? Content Process Product Environment Assessments Grouping Complexity Higher-order Choice

What Do I Differentiate? Content Process Product Environment Assessments Grouping Modes of Expression Format Materials

What Do I Differentiate? Grouping Seating Movement Atmosphere Content Process Product Environment Assessments

What Do I Differentiate? Rubrics Grading Modes of Expression Format Content Process Product Environment Assessments

How Do I Know How to Differentiate?

Knowing the Learner Interests Learning Profiles Readiness Levels

Differentiation is a teacher’s response to learners’ needs guided by general principles of differentiation, such as respectful tasks ongoing assessment flexible grouping Teachers can differentiate Content Process Product according to students’ Readiness Interests Learning Profile through a range of instructional and management strategies

A differentiated classroom will have a combination of teacher directed, teacher selected activities, and learner centered, learner selected activities; whole class instruction, small group instruction, and individual instruction. Leslie

Why Differentiate?

Why Use Differentiated Instruction? Enables teachers to provide learning opportunities for all students by offering varied learning experiences. Allows teachers to put research-based best practices into a meaningful context for learning. Helps teachers to understand and use assessment as a critical tool to drive instruction. Debbie

Why Use Differentiated Instruction? Encourages teachers to plan proactively for student-centered learning. Adds new instructional strategies to teachers’ “toolboxes”- introducing or reinforcing techniques to help teachers focus on essentials of curriculum. Debbie

Student Voices on Differentiated Instruction… I like this class because there’s something different going on all the time. My other classes, it’s like peanut butter for lunch every single day. This class, it’s like my teacher really knows how to cook. It’s like she runs a really good restaurant with a big menu. 5th grade student, in a comment from a course evaluation