"A task that is a good match for student readiness extends that student's knowledge, understanding, and skills a bit beyond what the student can do independently (pg 45)." The catch is student A can do something a lot faster and easier than student B and then the next day need more time than student B. "To differentiate instruction according to student readiness successfully, it helps to have a comprehensive guide for planning and monitoring the effectiveness of differentiated curriculum (pg 45-46)." The author suggests in order to create the create a guide for DI so that students have work that reflects their readiness the teacher should look at all the different parts of instruction. Specifically the author suggests using "the equalizer" which looks at the following topics: foundational vs. transformation; concrete vs. abstract; simple vs. complex; single facet vs. multi facet, etc. Each student could be anywhere between the spectrum and where that student is at indicates what task would be the most beneficial to them. Logically, there is no way to make a individual path for 100 students even if you could determine where they are at in each topic. Fortunately, the author gives several tips on how to use readiness in effective classroom.
What a the three peices of advice you find the most helpful to learning how to use DI? What is the area you feel will be the biggest challenge?
I like the area focusing on dependent to independent because in reality that is what we are trying to do is make these students able to think and process tasks independently so that they go from being lead by the teacher to a point where the teacher is just a facilitator and the students are running the show so to speak.
ReplyDeleteI think that can also be the most challenging due to the fact that students are used to being spoonfed by teachers and most have a general hesitancy to become more independent thinkers and learners due to the fact their learning has been so structured up until this point.
I like the simple to complex model - that can be applied in many areas of education and life. The one I struggle with is less idependence to greater independence - I again go back to how are we ever going to get these kids to do this work on their own. How will they ever fill out a loan application or file their taxes without someone prompting them to do so??????? How will they ever help THEIR children complete their homework in a timely manner (it's a vicious cycle).
ReplyDeleteIssac and April- I would go a step further with your statements and say the primary goal of teachers should be to create idependent thinkers. But I will be the first to admit that I have spoonfed my students on occassion because that is the only way I seem to get a response.
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