Differentiation

 

Recently in class, we started to cover differentiation.  It  basically promotes teaching each and every student material the way that suits them best.  Not only that, but the teacher strives to meet the children's individual needs and give them their time if needed.  It sounds like a really great idea to me, but depending on the class size and what individual needs must be met, it would be challenging for just one person to handle.  But, if there were a support team there, consisting of parents and other professionals, it may make it easier to become possible.  Obviously, not every child has the same needs and excels at the same things.  There are so many different learning styles and every child's pace may vary.  The fact that differentiation sees each student individually and does not lump them together makes it better for the students, which should be our first priority.  http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10331.aspx

When I had to use differentiation myself, the three students that I picked turned out to be all lower-level.  Because of this (and since there are other students in the class that would need my attention) it was a bit difficult to find a way to fit all their needs.  I figured it out in the end, but then I realized that it would be much more difficult in actual classes.  I was working with three students, but classrooms have around 25.  The concept of differentiation is fantastic, but I do worry that the execution won't be what everyone is hoping.

I think that technology would be a huge help  when it comes to differentiation.  Not only would you be able to reach each student easier, but it would help by being your support team, in a sense.  I think that technology is essential in any classroom, but in a differentiation classroom it is even more important.  You can teach your students in ways that suit them and make everyone's lives easier.  It would take some of the stress of the teacher, which is needed if they are to take on each student individually.