Differentiated Instruction
Prior to reviewing the Learning Resources, DI (Differentiated Instruction) to me was all about tailoring instruction to meet individual student needs. It meant considering students' readiness levels, thinking about their interests and learning preferences, and trying to teach them in a way that would help best. Thats what I considered when planning lessons. Essentially, it was about ensuring that every student gets an equal opportunity to learn, regardless of their starting point.
After exploring new resources and learning more about DI, my understanding has changed a bit. I now see that DI is not just about adjusting lessons for different students, but also about creating an inclusive learning environment that motivates all students to achieve their potential (Education Week, 2018). It involves more than just accommodating for different learning styles - it includes recognizing and respecting the individual identities and backgrounds of our students, and using this recognition to inform instructional design and delivery (Ginja & Chen, 2020).
I've had many positive experiences with DI. For example, when I developed teaching content for a unit on ecology, students were able to engage with material that interested them. It was an approach that helped improve discussions. I have also faced challenges though. Differentiating instruction requires careful planning and can be time-consuming. Also, in larger classes, it can be difficult to provide individualized feedback.
As for differentiation by content, process, or product, my preference tends to vary depending on the learning objectives and the students I'm working with. I often differentiate by process, offering a variety of activities and strategies for students to understand and explore a concept. The challenges I face when differentiating outside of my preferred method mainly involve ensuring the method of differentiation aligns with the learning objectives. To implement DI more effectively in my school setting, I need to learn more about the tools and resources available that can aid in planning differentiated instruction.
References
Education Week. (2018). Differentiating Instruction: Its Not as Hard as You Think. Retrieved
from (1) Differentiating Instruction: Its Not as Hard as You Think - YouTube
Ginja, T. G., & Chen, X. (2020). Teacher Educators' Perspectives and Experiences towards
Differentiated Instruction.International Journal of Instruction,13(4), 781-798.
