What Is Differentiated Instruction

517 Words3 Pages
What is Differentiated Instruction? Differentiated instruction is a way to reach students with different learning styles, different abilities to consume information and different ways of communicating what they have learned. The intent of differentiating instruction is to expand each student’s advancement and individual success by meeting each student where they are helping in the learning process. It’s an individualized instructional method. It is used to help students with diverse needs learn using a core curriculum. Based on the readiness of students, there are three strategies for successfully implementing differentiated instruction. Regardless of their individual differences, students are expected to master the same concepts, principles, and skills. First, is the “content” of lessons it may be differentiated based on what students already know. The teacher may differentiate the content by designing activities for groups of students that address different areas of knowledge, understanding, and skills. In these instances, educators are not differing student objectives or lowering achievement standards for students. For example, teachers can use different texts, novels, or short stories at a reading level appropriate for each particular student. Students could have a choice to work in pairs, groups, or individually, but all students are working towards the same objectives. The second is the “process” of lessons involving activities in order for the students to have an understanding and grasp of the subject matter that most of the time uses flexible grouping. Teachers can use flexible groups and have students assigned to like groups listening to books on tape or accessing specific internet sources. This stage of differentiation allows students to learn based either on what method is easiest for them to collect knowledge, or what may challenge
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