Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that tailors instruction to meet individual students learning needs, regardless of differences in their ability. It is a framework or philosophy for effective teaching that involves providing and developing teaching materials and assessment measures so that all students within a classroom can learn effectively. Differentiated instruction means using different tools, content, and due process in order to successfully reach all individuals. According to Carol Ann Tomlinson, differentiated instruction is the process of "ensuring that what a student learns, how he or she learns it, and how the student demonstrates what he or she has learned is a match for that students readiness level, interests, and preferred mode of learning".
Differentiated instruction can be implemented in various ways, including:
- Content: Figuring out what a student needs to learn and which resources will help.
- Process: Activities that help students make sense of what they learn.
- Projects: Ways for students to "show what they know".
- Learning environment: How the classroom "feels" and how the class works together.
Differentiated instruction is not a single strategy but rather a framework that teachers can use to implement a variety of strategies, many of which are evidence-based. It is beneficial because it helps educators connect with different learning styles, and giving students choices about how they learn enables them to meet learning objectives in the best way for them.
Although differentiated instruction has been advocated for gifted students and as an alternative to academic "tracking," it can be used for all students. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to differentiated instruction, and it requires instructional clarity and clearly defined goals for learning.
