Differentiated Instruction

Created June 7, 2004
Updated July 7, 2008

Much of the information on this page is from:
"How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms" by Carol Tomlinson, 2nd Edition.

I would highly recommend that you buy this book and read it before student teaching. It is $20.95 and less with a discount for ASCD members.  See http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.7ecb0460a2b144dd12c7c91061a001ca/ for more information.

What Differentiated Instruction is NOT:

• Differentiated Instruction is NOT the "Individualized Instruction" of the 1970's.
   

• Differentiated Instruction is NOT chaotic.
   

• Differentiated Instruction is NOT another way to provide homogeneous grouping.
   

• Differentiated Instruction is NOT just "tailoring the same suit o clothes."

What Differentiated Instruction is:

• Differentiated Instruction is PROACTIVE.
   

• Differentiated Instruction is more QUALITATIVE than quantitative.
   

• Differentiated Instruction is ROOTED IN ASSESSMENT.
   

• Differentiated Instruction provides MULTIPLE APPROACHES  to content, process, and product.
   

• Differentiated Instruction is STUDENT-CENTERED.
   

• Differentiated Instruction is A BLEND of whole-class, group, and individual instruction.
   

• Differentiated Instruction is 'ORGANIC."

Links:

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
http://www.uwsp.edu/education/lwilson/learning/miindicators.htm

STUDENT-ORIENTED STRATEGIES

Student-Oriented Strategies: Readiness

• The "Equalizer"
• Small-Grouped Instruction
• Homework Options
• Tiered or Scaffolded Assessment
• Compacting
• Mentorships
• Negotiated Criteria for Quality
• Varied Graphic Organizers

Student-Oriented Strategies: Interest

• Exploratory Studies
• Study concepts and principles through the lens of interest
• Independent Study
• Orbitals
• Design-a-Day
• I-Searches
• Mentorships/Apprenticeships
• Group Investigation
• Interest Groups
• Jigsaw
• Literature Circles
• WebQuests
• Negotiated criteria for task and products

Student-Oriented Strategies: Learning Profile
see Chapter 10 http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/2001tomlinson/chapter10.html

• Vary Teacher Presentation
  Auditory
  Visual
  Kinesthetic
  Whole-to-Part
  Part-to-Whole
• Vary Student Mode of Expression
  Gardner's 8 or 9 Intelligences
  Sternberg's 3 Intelligences
• Working choice Arrangements
• 4-Mat
• Flexible Environment
• Complex Instruction
• Multiple Modes of Assessment
• Organizers
• Varied Approaches to Organizing Ideas and Information
• Entry Points

CURRICULUM-ORIENTED STRATEGIES

Curriculum-Oriented Strategies: Content

• Compacting
• Varied Text and Resources
• Contracts
• Minilessons
• Support systems Technology/Organizers/Highlighting
• Digets of Key Ideas
• Peer and Adult Mentors

Curriculum-Oriented Strategies: Process

• Multiple Intelligences
• Interest Groups
• Varied Graphic Organizers
• Complex Instruction
• Concept Attainment
• Independent Study

Curriculum-Oriented Strategies: Product

• Web Page
• Book
• Game
• Collection
• Letters
• Cartoon
• Song
• Musical or Play
• Newspaper
• Booklet or Brochure
• Charts or Diagrams
• Poem
• Video
• Multimedia Presentation
• Multimedia Lesson
• Learning Center
• Lesson
• Debate

OVERALL STRATEGIES

• Compacting

• Independent Projects

• Interest Centers

• Group Centers

• Tiered Assignments

• Flexible Grouping

• Learning Centers

• Questioning

• Mentors

• Apprenticeships

• Contracts

©Raymond S. Pastore, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Teacherworld.com
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Bloomsburg University
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