Differentiated Instruction
Three levels of learning systems to ensure instruction for students with different learning needs (MOE regulation)
Level 1. Differentiated Instruction
Level 2. Remedial Instruction
Level 3. Special Education
the Four ways of DI
Content
Process
Product
Learning Environment
What students need to learn (fixed)
Prescribed as learning performance
How students access the information (flexible)
How will students master the content?
Teacher can use MI to make the process flexible
Group work
Individual worksheet
Cover varies levels of Bloom's Taxonomy from lower-order thinking to higher-order thinking skills
What the student creates at the end of the lesson to demonstrate the mastery of the content
How will students' learning be assessed?
What will be taught? How will students access the content?
Physical elements
Fixed: desks and chairs
Flexible: arrangements to support both individual or group work
Psychological elements
Classroom managements to support a safe and supportive learning environment
Pros and Cons of DI
Pros
When students are given more options in learning, they take on more responsibility for their own learning.
DI is effective for a large variety of students.
Students appear to be more engaged in learning.
Cons
Lesson planning is time-consuming.
There isn't enough research to support the benefits of DI outweighing the added prep time.