Using Differentiated Instruction to Support All Learners

[Music] diversity has become a defining feature of Alberta's classrooms students come to school with a wide range of interests and abilities and diverse learning strengths and needs including students with disabilities differentiated instruction is a philosophy that acknowledges that students learn at different rates and in many different ways differentiated instruction benefits students because it promotes an environment in which learning differences are not just tolerated they are valued Carol Ann Tomlinson one of the early advocates of this approach describes differentiation as shaking up what goes on in the classroom so that students have multiple opportunities to explore concepts make sense of ideas and demonstrate what they know and understand differentiated instruction can take many forms for example teachers can provide materials and learning tasks at different levels of challenge or provide different levels of support in the classroom depending on student needs when done effectively differentiated instruction is a seamless part of everyday instructional planning and classroom practice it is woven throughout the school day and informs how physical space at the classroom is organized what learning resources are used how instruction is planned and delivered how student learning is assessed the very nature of differentiated instruction means that it will look very different in every learning environment depending on the students teachers and learning contacts differentiated instruction begins with knowing whose students are as learners effective differentiation also depends on knowing how and when to use multiple instruction strategies so that students have opportunities to learn in multiple ways ongoing classroom assessment is also key to differentiated instruction assessment informs instructional planning and provides snapshots of what students understand and can do another hallmark of differentiated instruction is the use of flexible groupings with flexible groupings students are grouped and regrouped over the course of the school day and throughout the school year typical groupings include whole class instruction small group instruction one-to-one instruction peer teaching pairs partner learning independent learning activities cooperatives small group learning this flexible way of organizing groups allows for targeted small group instruction with students who share similar learning needs interests or learning preferences it is essential that group membership be flexible and ever-changing to allow students to work with different peers in a variety of situations students need opportunities to work in group settings that they are comfortable with as well as those that challenge them to learn and grow differentiated instruction can enhance a teacher's ability to reach all learners research shows that differentiated instruction can particularly benefit students with disabilities English language learners students who are gifted students considered at risk for not completing school a differentiated approach builds on evidence-based practices in an intentional and systematic manner and differentiated instruction allows teachers to provide the best learning experience for all students in their classroom [Music] for more information on supporting every student visit the alberta education website [Music]

Channel: YourAlberta

Views: 29,568

Rating: 5 out of 5

Keywords:

Id: OqlXSV7By_s

Length: 4min 5sec (245 seconds)

Published: Tue Apr 10 2018