Differentiated Instruction and How Teacher Efficacy and Knowledge Influences its Practice
The subject of implementing differentiated instruction in a classroom full of diverse individuals, whether at the primary level or secondary level is often two-sided. Some teachers may embrace the practice with opposition while others promote its use. Often, many teachers are not properly trained or are new to the profession and are not quite sure how to integrate multiple styles of learning into their lessons.
Because any classroom with more than one student presents a range of diverse learning needs, teachers often struggle to provide all their students with focused learning activities specifically designed to what works best for them. What
…show more content…
It is also important that educators have adequate resources made available to them to be able to provide a variety of methods of instruction in order to meet the needs of the diverse groups of students present in their classrooms. Trying to stay productive and effective in the classroom is not an easy task. Keeping abreast of all the needs of students in the classroom can sometimes be mind boggling. Student learning variations results from individual differences in ability and motivation, but environmental, social, cultural, and developmental factors also affect the ability to learn (Gagne, Wager, Golas, & Keller, 2005 as cited in Aldridge, 2007). Educators must have experience with a variety of teaching methods to implement and must also be prepared for thoughts and questions in the classroom that arise during lessons or lectures. Teachers’ adaptability is honed by constant reflection: Each lesson an educator prepares for must have a clear lesson plan to successfully teach each concept in a differentiated manner, but they also must be ready to adapt to unexpected questions and student ideas that arise (Parsons, Dodman, & Burrowbridge). Implementing differentiating instruction warrants continuing education that provides the tools and
Differentiating instruction is a valuable instructional management and delivery tool, which can be used to assist teachers in meeting the needs of the diverse populations of students which they now find in their classrooms. In using these strategies, a teacher may use pre-assessments to determine the learning styles, interests and readiness of the students, prior to the introduction of a lesson or unit. After developing a learner profile, the teacher may then differentiate according to the readiness of the student, by process of delivery, and by the product which the student may produce to
All students deserve a rewarding learning experience regardless of race, gender, economic status, or physical disability, for this reason Walnut Ridge Elementary school implements researched based practices such as differentiated instruction to help meet the individual needs of our students. Teachers are being made aware of the fact that diversity can have a detrimental impact on learning. Through the implementation of differentiation, we are able to expand the learning experiences for all diverse populations, thereby expanding educational opportunities for our students.
Differentiated instruction is different from traditional classroom instruction in several ways. In differentiated instruction, teachers use on-going assessments instead of on assessment at the end of the unit. Differentiated instruction also uses flexible grouping, such as small groups or peer pairs, rather than simply whole-group instructions. Additionally, differentiated instruction uses an array of teaching methods based on the students learning style. Finally, differentiated instruction uses a variety of learning materials.
Additionally, Paula struggles staying focused and on-task during class instruction. Paula frequently gets lost and distracted with the material in front of her, but Paula makes up for it with her dedication to answer the question correctly. Frequently, Paula observes her peers respond during whole class discussions and also answers some of the questions asked during these discussions. The teacher uses these opportunities as a learning opportunity to highlight the correct answer or guide the students into saying the correct answer. It is great that Paula wants to participate in classroom discussions because she remains fully engaged and frequently offered the opportunity to state his own understandings about the concept or skill he is being taught. Drawing on this observation and the use of intervention work, the teacher can plan future opportunities to allow the students to not only communicate their understandings about the content they are being taught, but to also further drive in the content he is being
According to UNESCO (2004), teachers around the world are exerting efforts in trying out innovative teaching strategies. There were dedicated and committed teachers who make a difference to the students’ lives and even providing important learning opportunities in their communities. To meet the students’ diverse learning needs, teachers cater variety of learning opportunities and experiences. In an interview of Carol Ann Tomlinson, an American author and educator known for her works with techniques of differentiation in education, she described differentiation as shaking up the classroom to be more appropriate for the learners. Regarding the methods of instruction, there should be a variety of techniques for collecting and presenting the lesson considering the students’ needs, abilities, interests, and backgrounds of experience.
“ Students do become behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively involved in the learning activities their teachers provide (e.g., write an essay, solve a math problem), and their extent of effort, enjoyment, and strategic thinking does predict important outcomes, such as achievement. But students also do more than this. Students also, more or less, proactively contribute into the flow of instruction they receive as they attempt not only to learn but also to create a more motivationally supportive learning environment for themselves ( Bandura,
Diversity encompasses numerous characteristics including socio-economic background, ethnicity, special needs, gender, and giftedness (Cazden, 2001). Today, classrooms are getting more varied and diverse with students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and students with a disability. It appears that teachers must meet the needs of all students successfully and individually to effectively teach a classroom of diverse students. This paper will first identify three challenges involved with ensuring that teaching strategies are
A final way differentiated instruction prepares students from the 21st century workplace is through direct instruction. Whether students go to college or enter the workforce, students will be required to receive information directly from one, or many, people and think critically about it. Whether it is sitting through a lecture in college, or a meeting at work, students will need to have the ability to take in information verbally and apply it to their area of study or expertise. In my classroom, I try to begin a lesson and end a lesson with some form of short discussion or lecture. I believe that it helps to either set up, or bring closure to, the information we are covering. For example, at the beginning a lesson this week I spoke for about fifteen minutes introducing the struggle for equality that African-Americans faced in the early 1900s. This short lecture helped lay the groundwork for the next two days and assisted in giving my students context for the upcoming hybrid stations.
Use of differentiated instruction and technology to enhance learning outcomes. The teacher used an agenda and timer to maximize the time available for instruction. The teacher used cultural activities and technology to bring in multiple perspectives on the delivery of the content. The teacher also displayed promoting high expectations by repeatedly telling students what she expects of them. The teacher successfully addressed behaviors when they transpired. The management of classroom space and resources effectively for student learning was challenging. Many hurdles can play parts in managing classroom space; such as, arranging student desks with inadequate space. Adequate space, no safety issues, and less behavioral problems provided confirmation of how the teacher managed the space and resources for effective student learning. What if student’s inappropriate behaviors didn’t exist, would productive learning opportunities still be a measured component of the
a. One community factor I would address is the diversity. In the contextual factors chart I reported that the area of these students come from are not diverse at all and is predominantly white. My chart state that there are 85% white that attend this school. To teach my classroom about diversity I will use this knowledge to have some lessons about diversity. Since they are preschoolers it will not be as easy getting them to understand the context of the lesson, but I can teach majority of my subject area using diversity. For example I will read a book in their level called Bright, Eyes Brown Skin so will know there are people out there with different color skin, hair, eyes, and etc. This will also help our classroom community because teaching the students any races can be friends and we can come together as one is a big factor.
Everyday, teachers are faced with the challenge of teaching students new information that is valuable to their future. Teachers are responsible to determine what and how information is taught. How this information is taught to students is pertinent to their success; therefore, teachers must be able to use effective teaching methods in the classroom. Students have diverse learning styles; therefore, teachers need to determine how students learn best and pattern their teaching to accommodate these differences. During elementary school, children learn to read and write, acquire a basic understanding of content areas, and develop dispositions toward
In my classroom, I will differentiate learning by offering a variety of methods of instruction such as hands on models, cooperative learning, technology, lectures, group activities, independent learning assignments. I will also adjust delivery based on understanding of concepts. I
Resources can be found, made and developed in a variety of ways. They also exist in numerous forms such as paper and printed material, newspapers and journals, to media based resources such as videos, images and blogs. Another extremely valuable resource available can be the teacher themselves, or other people such as guest speakers and specialists who can all provide comprehensive, primary evidence which can enhance a learners experience more, for example, than a paper resource.
Effective differentiated instruction reflects where the students currently are in their educational stage and not where a teacher wishes them to be. This step is important; placing students either too high or too low in the instruction can be adverse to the teacher’s goal of helping all students. Developing lesson strategies for students that are too demanding may have a negative effect on performance and reinforce negative emotions concerning learning. Likewise, developing lesson strategies that do not challenge students to perform at their best can also have a negative effect. Some students that are not engaged by a teacher's instruction are left adrift waiting for new or more stimulating material. Engaging students in the learning strategy is the key ingredient in producing active learners.
In order to teach successfully teachers must learn about first learn about their students. Teachers must assess the student’s capabilities and interests. Some students are visual learners, while others learn from hands on activities, or verbal communication. Not all students can learn through memorization, rather they learn through interest and relation to the topic. “To realize what an experience, or empirical situation, means, we have to call to mind the sort of situation that presents itself outside of school" (Democracy and Education). The curriculum should encompass material that is most useful for a student to learn. It seems that in the majority of schools, students are not given the flexibility to guide their own learning, but rather follow rigid instructions that destroy the student’s imagination.