Differentiation is understanding that "one size does not fit all". It is understanding that every student learns differently and that you need to be accepting of everything that is going on with the studenets and in their brains. In a diverse classroom, you will inevitably be faced with students who are visual learners, auditory learners and children who are bouncing off the walls all during the school day. Every student will learn at a different pace and in a different way, so the teachers have to get to know their own students and everything about them. It is very easy in todays world, after all with the technology available at our finger tips a step-by-step is easy to find to break it down. Differentiation is very time consuming but it has very good outcomes. With multiple teachers trying it out and finding success in it, it is benefitting them, their students, and the Common Core Standards. As a future teacher, I recognize that this is probably one of the best ways to teach the diverse students out there and hopefully be able to spark that love for learning in all of them.
I experienced differentiation, in high school with my Art classes and my English class. My art teacher had a small class once we were down to art 2 and 3, he knew who each of his students were and how to approach us the best way. I spent everyday after school for at least an hour to possible two hours, my art teacher would be there the whole time working with me and the other students who stayed after to show us different coloring techniques or painting techniques or even showing us how to do something right then and there so that we have an example to reference. My English teacher, was probably able to get to me the most, she recognized that I had a hard time writing essays, since I write like I think typically, so she helped to teach me how to edit my papers and catch the mistakes that I make as well as suggesting books that would introduce me to many new styles of writing so that I can find where I could find the style of writing I felt most comfortable writing it. All of my teachers I have had found out my interest and got to know me on a personal level where they knew how to teach me. They knew what to do, which makes them fantastic teachers. There are many different ways to approach differentation and they have to learn the best way for them and their students.
I feel like technology can be play a key part in differentiation, it allows for teachers to be able to help students learn in different ways by assigning a project and allowing them to do their own methods of learning and questioning certain concepts that they come across. Technology can be used to show movies and videos and pictures and help the students participate in learning by perhaps making the lesson a jeapordy game. Technology can play a good role in helping to teach the children, but everything is good in moderation. Remember that. :)
You did a great job explaining what differentiation was. I really liked the quote: "Differentiation is understanding that "one size does not fit all". That explains it in a simple, short way, but it's very effective. I really liked the examples you gave because it showed how you benefited from the differentiation techniques of your past teachers.
ReplyDeleteI thought your glob was very good i would have done a little more on the technology part of it, but it was very good and described differentiation very well.
ReplyDeleteI really like the examples you gave. The only differentiation I had encountered was in my English class senior year when it was research time. I didn't really go through any differentiation. Your examples were really helpful! Technology really helps with everything in a classroom.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a really good job defining differentiation! You had great examples of personal experiences and I think that really helped show how differentiation can be used and be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI liked that you went into a lot of detail explaining what differentiation is and gave a long deffinition of it. Great job on including personal expierences. I think every teacher should try to differentiate the lessons like yours did. I also agree with you on using technology to help differentiate the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote you opened up with and your pictures are really cute. I love that you included your own take and things you have experienced, it makes for an easier read! That's awesome that your art teacher is so dedicated! We need more teachers like that :)
ReplyDeleteNice blog post, I can definitely tell that you have a great idea of the definition of differentiation. Your pictures are cute and fit in nicely with your post. I would like to hear how you would differentiate your classroom.
ReplyDeleteThis is very well written and it is clear to readers that you have a good understanding of what differentiation is and how you plan to use it in the classroom. I also liked how you pulled technology in and reasons of how it can be used in differentiation. Great Job!!
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