Educators will agree that children are endowed with unique learning styles and abilities. Then how fair is it to expect all students in a classroom to attain the same level of learning through standardized lessons and instructions?
With this thought in mind, Carol Ann Tomlinson, an American educator, and author, worked on the idea of differentiation. The main goal of differentiation, or differentiated learning, is to create classrooms that can cater to the individual learning needs of students. And this is achieved by differentiating instruction in multiple ways. Sounds interesting? Let’s dig deep into the subject in the sections given below.
What do we mean by differentiation in education?
To begin with, differentiation in a classroom means utilizing differentiated instruction to meet student’s individual learning needs. It involves tailoring lessons in such a way that kids get to choose how they want to learn a particular topic depending on their interests, abilities, and how they learn best. Differentiation allows teachers to offer personalized learning to their students, so everyone gets a fair chance to meet their academic goals.
Contrary to what people believe, differentiation does not entail making different lesson plans for students. What it really involves is making strategic changes to the same lesson plan and implementing distinct instructional strategies so you can address the varied learning needs of your students.
Why is differentiated instruction necessary?
There are not just one but many reasons that make us realize why it is necessary to embrace differentiation in educational environments:
1. It helps in addressing diverse learning needs.
Every child in a classroom is unique, and their learning requirements can vary to a large extent. You may find some students grasping concepts quickly, while others may need more time and support. Then there will be some who learn better through reading, whereas others are visual learners. Differentiated instruction allows educators to vary their approach to teaching so no child is left behind and every child’s exclusive academic requirements are met.
2. It maximizes a student’s learning potential.
When you provide tailored instruction to your students, they are more receptive to the content and have a higher level of engagement. Being able to learn in their preferred style motivates them to value their education, leading to better learning outcomes.
3. It supports students with additional needs.
Whether it’s a student with a learning disability, a gifted child, or a student with other additional needs, differentiation takes care of the academic growth and development of all. Because teachers can adjust the educational content, change learning processes, and implement innovative ways to assess students, differentiation ensures every child’s challenges are addressed effectively.
4. It allows better progress monitoring.
As students are free to showcase their understanding of educational content in the most comfortable way, it is easier for teachers to identify their areas of strengths and weaknesses. This helps in providing timely intervention in areas where students need more support.
5. It promotes inclusivity and a positive learning environment.
The fact that differentiated instruction accommodates students of various learning profiles in a single classroom helps create a positive learning environment where students of all capabilities are valued. It also encourages collaboration, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging among students, fostering a love for school and education.
Types of differentiated instruction to support personalized learning
There are four types of differentiation, or, rather, four ways of differentiating instruction to address the specific needs of students. It involves targeting the content, process, product, and learning environment. How can this be done? Let’s take a look.
1. Content:
Nowadays, every school district has a set curriculum and requires educators and students to meet the common core standards and fixed learning outcomes. So, how can you bring differentiation to the content or things that students need to learn?
You can do it by creating content and devising activities that meet different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Activities that allow students to remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, or create.
You can divide your students into groups based on their command of a particular topic and assign them activities they could do best. For example, kids who are completely unaware of the topic will fare well with activities that help them understand and remember the content. At the same time, those who are already knowledgeable about the subject can be asked to create something utilizing their knowledge.
2. Process:
Differentiating the process means offering different ways through which students can learn the content. You could provide videos for visual learners, audiotapes for auditory learners, reading books or writing essays for students who learn best through reading or writing, and games and activities to support kinesthetic learning.
By allowing students to learn in a way they are most comfortable with, you make way for better learning outcomes. All you need to do is identify the learning styles of your students and get them involved in individual, partner, or group activities to consume the content according to their interests and comfort level.
3. Product:
The standard way of testing student knowledge once a lesson is complete is through traditional paper and pencil assessments. Differentiation in the product, i.e., what students have learned entails allowing students to demonstrate their learning through other forms of evaluation.
Some students might want to do a hands-on project; others may prefer an oral assessment or writing a report. No matter which approaches they select and how they choose to express their learning, the primary objective is to showcase their knowledge in the most optimal manner.
4. Learning Environment:
The learning environment has a very important role to play in helping students learn. Considering the different needs of students, educators can work on creating an effective learning environment that supports them. Some ways to ensure the environment is conducive to different learning styles are:
- Set clear guidelines and routines for students.
- Designate spaces for quiet, individualized learning, and collaborative learning.
- Add elements and materials to welcome students of different backgrounds and cultures.
- Provide a positive and safe learning environment.
- Offer flexibility to students to make their own choice on how they want to learn.
Benefits of practicing differentiation in the classroom
Many educators who are new to the concept of differentiation often wonder if it’s even worth practicing differentiation in their classrooms. After all, it requires you to go that extra mile to cater to every student’s learning needs. But several benefits of differentiation make your extra efforts worthwhile.
1. It boosts students’ confidence in their abilities.
2. You can provide personalized learning that leads to improved academic outcomes.
3. Your students are better engaged during lessons, allowing them to take advantage of active learning.
4. They will have improved academic performance through your individualized support.
5. You can address achievement gaps for struggling students in a much better way.
6. Your relationship with your students will be stronger as you’ll better understand their needs, strengths, and weaknesses.
Wrapping up,
A qualitative study[1] was conducted to check how middle school teachers perceive differentiated instruction. The study mainly concentrated on students who had mild to moderate disabilities. Results confirmed that differentiated instruction had a positive effect on the learning outcomes of students. No wonder many educators believe that differentiated instruction is essential for student achievement.
Though many challenges like lack of time, no time to collaborate, and insufficient resources, come in the way of facilitating differentiated instruction, educators are trying their best to make it work. So we can conclude that by implementing various types of differentiation, teachers can support their students’ diverse learning needs. And the fact that many teachers around the globe are ready to commit to practicing differentiation in the classroom shows that our students are in the right hands and that a bright future is ahead of them.
Reference
- Mclerran, Karen, “Perceptions of Middle School Teachers Regarding Differentiation Instruction” (2022). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4151. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4151
I am Priyanka Sonkushre, a writer and blogger. I am the person behind “One Loving Mama,” a mom blog. Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree along with an MBA, my healthcare background helps me deeply understand learning difficulties. I know how challenging it can be for parents to find the right resources to help their children excel in life. So, here I am to blend my healthcare expertise with my parenting experience to create valuable and helpful resources for parents and teachers supporting children with learning differences. If you wish, you can follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn.