Differentiated+Learning

=What is Differentiated Learning? =  Differentiated Instruction maximizes learning for all students regardless of their ability, learning style or background. The basis for differentiated instruction is that in most classrooms students vary in their academic abilities, learning techniques, personalities, interests, background knowledge, experiences, and levels of motivation for learning. This means that a single teaching method will not work for everyone. In a differentiated classroom the teacher will use the best strategies to create different and diversified lessons that will respond to the needs of her/his diversified students.

Differentiated Instruction is based on these beliefs:  1. Students are different in how they learn.  2. In classrooms where students are active learners, decision makers and problem solvers, they are more natural and effective than in classrooms where learners than when students are taught in a "one-size-fits-all" curriculum and treated as passive receivers of knowledge that is disseminated by the teacher.  3. "Covering information" takes a backseat to connecting meaning from essential ideas. Connections to real-life and real world experiences are made. Of utmost importance in a differentiated classroom is that all students are frequently offered CHOICES in the types of learning activities they are offered and that students are matched with tasks compatible with their individual learning styles.

The Curriculum should be differentiated in three different areas: __Content __: Several different options for taking in information __Process __: Multiple options for making sense of the ideas and information they are learning __Product __: Alternative methods for expressing what students know

When differentiation is used with advanced learners, some adjustment of curriculum and instruction is required. this can be accomplished by using one or more of the following four dimensions: <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">1. **Depth**--refers to the idea of challenging learners by enabling them to venture further, deeper, and more elaborately into the area under study. <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">2. **Complexity--**refers to the concept of broadening the learner's understanding of the area content being studied by asking him/her to make connections, relationships, and associations between, within, and across subjects and disciplines. <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">3. **Novelty--**refers to the theory of a student gaining personal understanding of the content studied or constructing meaning of knowledge in an individualized manner. <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">4. **Acceleration or Pacing--**refers to the concept of altering the pace of learning and providing sophisticated resources for learning in order to challenge the students.

<span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> Further information about differentiated learning can be found at: http://www.scusd.edu/gate_ext_learning/differentiated.htm <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">http://differentiatedinstruction.com/ http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/161/over5.html

<span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">For strategies and lessons go to: <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">http://www.internet4classrooms.com/di.htm <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">http://members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/differentiatingstrategies.html <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">http://pirate.shu.edu/~collinjo/edsites/difflearn.htm http://www.polk-schools.com/Differentiated.htm <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">