The Ultimate Guide to Differentiation

1. Differentiation is about meeting individual learner needs

Differentiation is about using different approaches with our learners, so that they can all make the maximum progress in their learning.

Personalized learning. Differentiation recognizes that every learner is unique, with different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. It involves adapting teaching methods, content, and assessments to meet individual needs, ensuring that all students can access the curriculum and make progress. This approach moves away from a one-size-fits-all model of education.

Inclusive education. By embracing differentiation, educators celebrate diversity in the classroom and create an inclusive learning environment. This means considering factors such as:

• Prior knowledge and experiences
• Language backgrounds
• Attention spans and ability to concentrate
• Levels of interest and motivation
• Preferred learning styles
• Physical and psychological needs

2. Get to know your learners for effective differentiation

The process of 'getting to know' your learners happens over time, and if you are only with a class for a short period of time each week, it can feel very hard to get to know them properly.

Building relationships. Understanding your learners is crucial for effective differentiation. This involves more than just knowing their academic abilities; it requires insight into their personalities, interests, and backgrounds. Teachers can gather this information through:

• Observations and assessments
• Conversations with students and their families
• Reviewing previous records and work samples
• Conducting student surveys or interviews

Creating learner profiles. Develop comprehensive profiles for each student, including:

• Learning preferences and styles
• Strengths and areas for improvement
• Interests and motivations
• Cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Any specific needs or challenges

By maintaining and regularly updating these profiles, teachers can make informed decisions about how to best support and challenge each learner.

3. Use diverse planning strategies to cater to all learners

There is no single best layout to use, either for learning generally, or more specifically for differentiation.

Flexible planning approaches. Differentiation requires teachers to be adaptable in their planning and teaching methods. Some effective strategies include:

• Planning to the top: Setting high expectations for all learners and providing support as needed
• Topping and tailing: Creating a main activity with additional support and extension options
• Increasing complexity: Gradually building difficulty levels within tasks
• Offering choice: Allowing students to select from a range of activities or presentation methods

Collaborative planning. Involve support staff, specialists, and even students in the planning process to ensure diverse needs are met. Consider:

• Working with teaching assistants to plan targeted support
• Consulting with special education coordinators for specific strategies
• Incorporating student feedback and preferences into lesson plans

4. Leverage classroom resources and environment for differentiation

Just as adapting the lesson content or approaches can help you to support learning, so adapting the space can help you to support and challenge every learner in your class as well.

Optimizing the learning space. The physical environment plays a crucial role in differentiation. Consider:

• Flexible seating arrangements to accommodate different learning styles and activities
• Creating designated areas for different types of work (e.g., quiet reading corners, collaborative spaces)
• Ensuring accessibility for all learners, including those with physical disabilities

Diverse resources. Provide a range of materials to support different learning needs:

• Visual aids and manipulatives for hands-on learners
• Technology tools for interactive and personalized learning
• Leveled texts and materials to match different reading abilities
• Multi-sensory resources to engage various learning styles

5. Adapt teaching methods to support various learning styles

The subtle changes that you make each and every minute of the day are all a key part of the way that you differentiate your approach to the individuals who are in your class.

Varied instructional techniques. Employ a range of teaching methods to cater to different learning preferences:

• Visual learners: Use diagrams, charts, and videos
• Auditory learners: Incorporate discussions, lectures, and audio materials
• Kinesthetic learners: Include hands-on activities and movement-based learning

Flexible grouping. Utilize different grouping strategies to support learning:

• Ability grouping for targeted instruction
• Mixed-ability groups for peer learning and support
• Individual work for independent practice

Scaffolding and support. Provide varying levels of support based on individual needs:

• Breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps
• Offering writing frames or sentence starters
• Using graphic organizers to structure information

6. Address specific needs of SEND and EAL learners

Remember that having EAL is not the same thing as having a learning difficulty or SEND.

Supporting SEND learners. Implement strategies tailored to specific learning difficulties:

• For dyslexia: Use multisensory approaches and assistive technology
• For autism: Provide clear routines and visual schedules
• For ADHD: Offer movement breaks and chunked instructions

EAL support strategies. Help English language learners access the curriculum:

• Pre-teach key vocabulary
• Use visual aids and gestures to support understanding
• Provide translated materials when necessary
• Encourage use of first language for thinking and planning

Collaboration with specialists. Work closely with SEND coordinators and EAL specialists to develop targeted support plans and ensure appropriate accommodations are in place.

7. Incorporate formative and summative assessment for ongoing differentiation

Assessment is fundamental to differentiation, because unless we can figure out what a learner knows, understands or can do already, we will not be in a position to work out what they might need or want to learn next.

Formative assessment techniques. Use ongoing assessment to inform teaching:

• Quick checks for understanding during lessons
• Exit tickets to gauge learning at the end of a session
• Peer and self-assessment to encourage metacognition

Summative assessment strategies. Use end-of-unit or term assessments to measure progress:

• Design assessments that allow for different response methods
• Provide accommodations for learners with specific needs
• Use results to inform future planning and differentiation

Data-driven decision making. Regularly analyze assessment data to:

• Identify gaps in learning and areas for improvement
• Adjust groupings and instructional strategies
• Set appropriate learning goals for individuals and groups

By combining these assessment approaches, teachers can continuously refine their differentiation strategies to meet the evolving needs of their learners.

Last updated: August 13, 2024