Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated instruction is extremely important for students as students have very unique qualities and learn different ways. As a teacher you want your instruction to reach each student the same, though we know that doesn’t happen and isn’t practical. One of the most important factors in differentiating is student interest. This is where relationships are so important so you get to know your students interests and can adapt instruction to meet those interests. If students are interested in a topic they are more likely to participate and succeed in it. If it were a grade 10 English class and a student was reluctant to write an essay, though this student enjoys technology and video games, I would allow this student to create a digital essay that may look like a video game, but would tell a story through the characters.

I believe that the method of instruction and assessment are also very important areas to differentiate. The method of instruction can be differentiated through utilizing multiple teaching strategies, trying new methods, and incorporating several technologies. If students are consistently expected to sit in a desk and work alone on assignment after assignment they are not as likely to succeed as when they participate in group work, think-pair-shares, chalk talk, tug of war, or many others. This teaching strategies also give the opportunity for differentiated assessment. Many of these do not include summative assessment though assessment is still achieved and students may not even realize it. Students will be more engaged and you are meeting a larger spectrum of student needs.