Differentiation

Inclusive Education


Engagement and achievement for all ākonga in Aotearoa

Teenage School Friends Smiling to Camera

“Differentiation is a strategy to address each student’s readiness, interest, and learning profiles..." (Ministry of Education, 2018, para. 2).

Gradient Squiggles, UI Buttons, and Background Slide Arrow

Differentiation, differentiated pedagogy, and differentiated instruction are interchangeable terms (Frankling et al., 2017).

What is Differentiation?

MYTHBUSTERS

Math Symbols II Icon

MYTH 1

Ability grouping and streaming is effective differentiation

MYTH 2

Differentiation is just for SEN students

No Symbol Icon

MYTH 3

Differentiation should always be used for students

Let’s FIND the Facts !

Differentiation is relevant !

Illustrative Spot Man Using His Tablet
Gradient Squiggles, UI Buttons, and Backgrounds Oblong

Seamless integrations with policies, pedagogy, and curricula in Aotearoa

New Zealand​ Curriculum

Universal Design f​or Learning

Inclusiv​e Education

Education​ Act (2020)

Relation​a​l​ Pedagogy



So, how do I do it?

Differentiation can happen at the Process- Content and Product level (Tomlinson, 2014).

change difficulty - curriculum levels- resources, - technology - learning groups - tasks

Process

How will you teach it?

production, process icon vector

Content

What is the topic or skill?

Research Topic Outline Icon

Product

What is the

learning outcome?

Consequence, outcome, outgrowth icon.
Gold Oval Badge
  • Media
  • Flexible grouping
  • Checklists
  • Choice boards
  • Learning stations


Gold Oval Badge
  • Co-construction
  • Student interest
  • Different topics
  • Different levels
  • Multi-media
  • Extensions


Gold Oval Badge
  • Assessment criteria
  • Presentations
  • Project options
  • Student contracts
  • + Opportunities


TEACHERS RESOURCE_

Resource: Practical Examples of Differentiation in Secondary Teaching

Differentiation in Content:

• Tiered Assignments: Provide all students with the different levels of complexity and depth in assignments based on ​their readiness.

• Flexible Learning Groups: Group students based on their learning profiles; they can choose their content through ​construction.

• Choice Boards: Create a menu of activities that students can choose from to help them feel empowered and in ​charge of their learning.


Differentiation in Process:

• Learning Stations: Set up different stations around the classroom, each focusing on a specific aspect of the topic.

• Flexible Grouping: Group students on their strengths (this can be social, emotional, or academic)

• Varied Instructional Materials: Provide students with various resources, such as textbooks, articles, videos, and ​interactive online platforms.


Differentiation in Product:

• Alternative Assessments: Offer students alternative assessment options that align with their strengths and ​interests.

• Project-Based Learning: Assign open-ended projects that allow students to explore a topic in-depth and showcase ​their understanding through a final product.

• Student Choice: Provide students with opportunities to choose how they demonstrate knowledge.onstrate their ​learning.