Differentiation
Differentiation is the process by which curriculum objectives, teaching methods, resources and learning activities are planned to identify and meet the needs of every individual pupil within the classroom. Meeting these needs is the major responsibility of all teachers. There is a necessity for differentiated tasks appropriate to individual pupil’s ability, aptitude and developmental stage.
All teaching should begin from a student’s current achievements. It is essential to start from the student’s existing understanding. A teacher must know how a learner is going about the process of learning. Particular skills may need teaching and assessment of needs should look at the ways in which learning is achieved. Formal tests and checklists can be useful, but insightful observation of a student tackling a particular learning task will yield valuable information on their learning style.
The curriculum itself and the way it is delivered can contribute to a learner’s failure’ i.e. children’s learning difficulties can be curriculum-generated or even teacher-generated. There is a necessity for the teacher to select and design differentiated tasks appropriate to each individual student’s ability, aptitude and developmental stage. Meeting these needs is the major responsibility of all teachers.
The cutting edge of differentiation lies in matching the teacher’s delivery to individual needs. In setting the student’s cognitive activities, the teacher is providing learning opportunities for the student. These opportunities need to be perceived as relevant to the child. For the student to remain motivated, the mental activities, which she or he is being asked to undertake, need to be purposeful.
Why differentiation?
• Because teacher expectations tend to be too low.
• Because teaching approaches tend to be too narrow and overly directive.
• Because teaching tends to be aimed at the middle group, no matter how students are grouped.
• Because grouping by ability, per se, is not a sufficient basis for ensuring that student differences are appropriately provided for.
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Last Updated 9/2/2007