Differentiation as a student-centered teaching method

Teaching Methods - Differentiation

An earnest observer of human beings eventually realizes that there are many types of intelligence and that different people have different skills, needs and knowledge. Differentiation is based on that realization and celebrates it. Abandoning more rigid methods of teaching, Differentiation consciously sets out to discover and use the uniqueness of each student, which can cause valuable critical transformations in teaching and allow teachers to recognize and seize opportunities for teaching individuals.

Definition of Differentiation

Differentiation is a student-centered teaching method that: acknowledges and celebrates the existence of many types of intelligence; examines the age, needs, interests, knowledge, skill level and learning style of each student; tailors well-organized lessons for each student in a qualitative, flexible, dynamic and fluid manner; works toward required educational standards and beyond; and evaluates student performance based on whether the student has mastered the lesson content.

Visual Comparison of Undifferentiated vs. Differentiated Teaching

Undifferentiated, in which the teacher rigidly uses a teaching method with no regard for student individuality

VS.

Differentiated, in which the teacher examines each student's uniqueness, then tailors and "colors" the lessons for each student's needs and skills.

Conclusion

As the diagrams presented in this paper show, undifferentiated teaching methods are rigid and make no adjustments for the uniqueness of each student. In sharp contrast, Differentiation explores, celebrates and uses that uniqueness to enhance learning. Though all classroom students will be working toward a common educational standard, Differentiation allows the teacher to recognize differing needs, interests, knowledge, skill levels and learning styles, then tailor lessons accordingly for each student and qualitatively evaluate each student's mastery of lesson content.