Differentiated Instruction and Professional Development

Differentiated Instruction Professional Development Plan Carol (Stepp) Wahl EDU 673 Dr. Dianne Fernandez June 11, 2012 Introduction 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†¦show more content†¦Ability refers to the child’s ability to complete the learning tasks, while readiness has to do with the child’s background which will support the learning tasks (p86-87). For example, the child has the ability to read the science material presented for the Life Sciences lesson, yet does not have the readiness to understand the reading d ue to inadequate technical vocabulary development. Scaffolding for this student would include activities to develop the technical vocabulary necessary to understand the reading materials, or having the teacher provide reading materials appropriate to the child’s reading level. Additional instruction may be needed in reading skills, to support the student in a reading activity. The zone of proximal development explains the need for student and task to match, making the task of learning attainable (p87). Teaching to one zone of proximal development is likely to leave some students frustrated and confused, while others can coast through the lesson (p88). It is not so important for the teacher to know exactly what the student’s status is, rather to be aware when the students are becoming frustrated, and are in need of more practice, or when the task is just right for the individual (p89). Student Grouping Grouping of students can be by learning style, interest, readiness, task, or other teacher determined criteria. Flexible grouping is one of the non-negotiables in the differentiated instructionShow MoreRelatedDifferentiated Instruction For Professional Development811 Words   |  4 Pages Differentiated Instruction in Professional Development If educators have learned anything in the last decade of school reform initiatives it is that one size does not fit all. Differentiated Instruction (DI) is an approach where teachers proactively plan varied approaches to what students need to learn, how they will learn it and how they express what they ve learned (Differentiated Instruction, 2015). However, does this all end when we become educators and then magically educators learnRead MoreIep Reflection Paper1092 Words   |  5 PagesCritical Thinking Questions Change Leadership for Differentiated Education Environment April 8, 2012 Critical Thinking Questions The six-column framework for differentiated instruction proposes that if we are trying to comprehend and construct classrooms in which differentiated instruction can grow, there are several components that we need to search and be mindful of in our preparation and teaching. Educators must explore the framework and recognize what they are already utilizing in theRead MorePros and Cons of Differentiated Instruction1373 Words   |  6 Pagesthese tips help take away some of your stress! Pros and Cons of Differentiated Instruction Pros of Differentiated Instruction Differentiated instruction is a way of thinking about teaching and learning. 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As the new accountability system – Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium – approached, our district also launched its effort by helping teachers develop their own Core Curriculum using â€Å"spirals† – scope and sequence (standards basedRead MoreDifferentiated Instruction Paper1664 Words   |  7 PagesDifferentiated Instruction Differentiated instruction is a process to approach teaching and learning for students with differing abilities in the same class. The intent of differentiating instruction is to maximize each student’s growth and individual success by meeting each student where he or she is assisting in the learning process (Polloway, Patton, and Serna, 2005). It’s an individualized instructional method. It is used to help students with diverse needs learn using a general curriculum