Differentiating Instruction in the Online Classroom

ETLO Fall Webinar

Dr. Jackie MangieriMVPS Facilitator/Peer Coach

jackie_mangieri@yahoo.com

Goals for this Webinar

Define differentiated instruction and its applicability for online teaching and learning

Discover options for differentiating content, process, and products in the online classroom

Discuss ideas and action steps for differentiating instruction in your online classroom

What is Differentiated Instruction? Multiple approaches to the curriculum Learner-centered and flexible Qualitative and tied to assessment

outcomes Dynamic

Differentiated Instruction

In short, differentiated instruction is an approach in which teachers can vary * Content* Process* Products

According to their students’* Readiness* Interests* Learning profiles

What isn’t DI? A new idea or a passing fad Individualized instruction A rigid grouping strategy Making assignments a little bit easier or a

little bit harder Something that only is applicable in the

face-to-face classroom!

What does this mean for online? DI is concerned with student readiness for specific

learning tasks. Consider the work of Vygotsky (1978) – the zone of

proximal development (ZPD)

ATHERTON J S (2005) Learning and Teaching:  Constructivism in learning   [On-line] UK: Available:

http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/constructivism.htm  

Accessed: 19 July 2007

Differentiating Content

Content is the knowledge, skills, and attitudes we want students to learn.

Learning tasks and objectives must be aligned to overall learning goals.

Instruction should be concept-focused.

Strategies for Differentiating Content Online Curriculum compacting Learning contracts Minilessons Varied text and resource materials Conditional releases Podcasting

Differentiating Process

Process refers to the learning activities or strategies that allow students to explore the essential understandings and key concepts and principles.

Effective activities move students from their current level of understanding to a more complex understanding.

Strategies for Differentiating Process Online Blogs Graphic organizers Choice charts Flexible pacing Peer teaching Wikis

Differentiating Products Differentiating products

involves varying the complexity of the products that students create to demonstrate mastery of the essential understandings and key concepts.

All students deserve an interesting and engaging learning experience that requires high-level thinking.

Strategies for Differentiating Products Online

Use many assessment strategies Vary expectations and requirements Plan appropriate scaffolding Determine how products will be shared Provide guidelines to students

Questions?

Discussion How are you already

meeting the unique needs of your individual students?

What differentiation strategy would you like to try?

How can you encourage your students’ strengths?

What is a good first step you can take?

Resources for Online Learning NACOL - http://www.nacol.org/ SREB Online Teachers -

http://www.srebonlineteachers.org/ K12 Online Conference -

http://k12onlineconference.org/ Cool Cat Teacher’s Blog -

http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/

Web Resources for DI http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/strategy/

strategy042.shtml (good overview with links to learning more)

http://members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/differentiating.html (overview of DI)

http://members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/differentiatinglinks.html (links)

http://members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/differentiatingstrategies.html (strategies)

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/di.htm (links to DI and related resources)

http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_diffinstruc.html (great article about DI)