Term Paper on "Differential Instruction Techniques"

Term Paper 15 pages (4983 words) Sources: 19 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Education

Over the last several years, a wide variety of strategies have been introduced that are designed to improve the total amounts of learning comprehension inside the classroom. For the most part, these ideas have failed because they did not focus on specific areas that will improve individual learning comprehension. To address these challenges, many educators have been turning to differentiated instruction. This is when they will focus on using a variety of tools in order to reach out to a larger demographic of students. To fully understand how these concepts can be implemented in conjunction with Library and Media personnel requires examining a number of areas. This will be accomplished by focusing on: the use, framework, experiences, changes, questions, leadership, morale, the current changes, analyzing these events and identifying the need for differentiated instruction. Once this takes place, is when we can show how these ideas will improve the total amounts of learning comprehension inside the classroom. (Gregory, 2007, pp. 1 -- 8)

Task 1: Critically reflect on your work thus far. What have you learned about the uses of differentiated instruction in both the classroom and in professional development? How will you use what you have learned to benefit your organization or an organization that you will work for in the future?

What was learned about differentiated instruction is that it can be utilized in a variety of educational settings. This is because it is focused on applying flexibility to individual learning styles when presenting a host of concepts. During the process of teaching students is when the various strategies and techniques will reach out to the individual (in a format that is most appropriate for them). Moreover, the repeated exposure and hands on training will help everyone to see how they will need to apply these ideas in the future. (Roberts, 2007, pp. 147 -- 151)

In the case of professional development, these concepts can be used to improve motivation and the team atmosphere inside a school. This occurs by having educators work together to increase quality by using these techniques in conjunction with one another. For example, an educator that is teaching select aspects of Biology could work with the Library and Media staff to use technology to improve learning comprehension. This will help all staff members to work with each other in utilizing this strategy on a consistent basis. Once this occurs, is when there will be a positive transformation inside an educational environment. (Roberts, 2007, pp. 147 -- 151)

These ideas can be used to create new standards inside the school. The way that this will take place, is through working with staff members and students to provide them with the tools they need. For example, understanding differentiated instruction will help personnel (in the Library and Media center) to anticipate these needs. This is the point that they can discuss using a host of technology solutions to address these challenges. Over the course of time, this will improve communication and collaboration in lesson planning. (Roberts, 2007, pp. 147 -- 151)

Task 2: What is a successful lesson framework composed of? How would this framework differ between two different content areas? Why is it important to consider the background of the students and possible assessments used when designing a lesson? How does this lead to student achievement? Reflect on the strategies you have learned thus far for differentiated instruction. Choose three of these strategies. Compare/contrast each strategy noting the differences and similarities in student achievement. Could any of these strategies be combined and if so, how will this impact student achievement.

A successful framework is composed of ideas that are designed to reach out to each person's individual learning style. This is accomplished through creating a lesson plan that will focus on specific attributes that are most dominant in the class. Then, the educator must create a strategy that is focused on reaching out to other learning styles. This approach will establish a basic foundation in creating an atmosphere that is conducive of learning. (Gregory, 2003, pp. 79 -- 100)

The way that framework will vary between different content areas is through the way these techniques are applied. For example, in more complicated topics this approach will be augmented with the use of technology and other teaching methods. The basic idea is that this will assist in reaching out to students by addressing their various strengths. At the same time, the repeated exposure to these ideas will give them a background on the subject. Once this occurs, is when they will be able to retain and apply these ideas in the future. (Gregory, 2003, pp. 79 -- 100)

The cultural practices of the student will identify: their educational experience, traditions and areas that will influence how they see the world around them. For educators, these factors will affect the way the student is able to learn a host of concepts. A possible strategy that can be used to understand these issues is to focus on several different variables during the planning stage. The most notable include: being able to draw easy comparisons, using specific tools that can overcome select difficulties and improving the discussion among various students.

The way that this will have an impact on the individual is to give them a background of the concepts that are being presented. Then, the educator begins using tools that the student can relate to based on: their cultural and educational experiences. This is achieved through using different techniques in conjunction with new technology. Once this occurs, is when there should be some kind of change in the total amounts of learning comprehension. This is the point that grade point averages and achievement scores will rise. (Gregory, 2003, pp. 79 -- 100)

Three strategies that have been learned as a part of differentiated instruction include: cooperative group learning, jigsaw and role playing. Cooperative groups learning is when everyone is working together (in the form of a group) to learn about the various ideas. This is providing a more intellectual discussion by having everybody talk about the concepts that are being presented. Jigsaw learning is when you have students work in groups of four to understand a host of ideas. This is different from cooperative learning by having a smaller group that is focused on more intense topics. Role playing is where students are learning about new ideas by reenacting particular parts of the project. This is different from the other strategies, through having the individual act out specific areas to improve learning comprehension. (Gregory, 2003, pp. 79 -- 100)

All of these strategies could be combined with each other. The way that this would impact student achievement is to improve the total amounts of learning comprehension. This is because each theory is building off of the ideas that were established previously. Once this takes place, is when the individual will have another format for looking at and examining the various concepts. This is when the total amounts of learning comprehension will increase by having different avenues that are reaching out to the student. (Gregory, 2003, pp. 79 -- 100)

Task 3: Review Figure 80 in your reading. Describe a situation in your past experience where you implemented change or could have implemented change. How could you use this chart to increase the effects of this change? Was this change process a success? Based on your readings, how could you have increased the likelihood of success in this situation? Describe a situation that you have encountered where a supportive response may have increased your adaptability to change.

The way that change could have been implemented is through taking the lead by showing alternative strategies for dealing with a host of challenges. This would have given staff members a greater sense of empowerment when dealing with these issue. The way that this chart could have increased effectiveness, is to introduce key strategies for inviting these transformations (by serving as blue print). Inside the school environment, these tools could be used to help push for alternative changes in teaching methods and the kinds of tools that are utilized by staff members. (Gregory, 2003, pp. 100-109)

Yes and no. The change was a success in that staff members agreed about transformations needing to occur. Yet, this was also ineffective by failing to create any kind of lasting shifts in attitudes among staff members. The way that the chances of success could have increased was to have more effective communication among stakeholders. This would improve collaboration and establish a common set of goals. (Gregory, 2003, pp. 100-109)

For example, in the Library and Media center, these ideas will change the way that educators see personnel. This will occur through them taking the views that… READ MORE

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