This document discusses differentiation in education. It defines differentiation as a flexible teaching approach that varies content, process, and product based on students' readiness levels, interests, and learning needs. Differentiation is not one-size-fits-all teaching but rather an appropriate response to learner diversity. The document emphasizes that differentiation should be a foundational part of teaching, not an add-on, in order to help all students succeed.

1. Differentiation
Developing a shared language
Dr Catherine Hart
www.crowther.org.au

2. Are we stuck in a rut?

3. Do we work in a
system that demands
conformity?

6. Cat herding clip – super bowl

7. “The biggest mistake ... in teaching
has been to treat all children as if
they are variants of the same
individual and thus to feel justified in
teaching them all the same subjects
in the same way”
Howard Gardner

9. Great minds do NOT think alike
Using your non-dominant hand...
Write your name in the left hand corner
of the page
Activities from Glen Weibe

10. You have 20 seconds to do this

11. 190124752000

12. Using your non-dominant hand, write
down the number shown.
You have 20 seconds to do this

13. Whilst great minds do NOT think
alike...
Try again and this time use your dominant hand ...
and think of three things:
Federation - 1901 Hours-days-weeks Emergency - 000

14. Moving from a „how to skin a cat class‟ to...

15. Differentiation is...

16. A flexible approach to teaching in
which the teacher plans and carries out
varied approaches to content, process,
and product in anticipation and in
response to student differences in
readiness, interest and learning needs”
Carol Ann Tomlinson

17. Or more simply...
is an appropriate teacher response to
learners‟ needs

18. Differentiation is NOT...

19. • A brand-new way of teaching
• IEPs for every student
• Tracking or ability grouping
• Constant group work
• Allowing students to work only in
preferred ways on preferred topics
• Occasional variations in teaching style
or level of questions asked of
individuals
Cindy Strickland

20. Differentiation is NOT an add-on, it‟s a
build-on, it is the foundation of your „house‟
Glenn Weibe

23. Clarifying terms
Individualisation
Differentiation
Personalisation
In pairs:
Do you have the same expectations for
all your students?

24. Do you want all your students to
succeed?
“Emphasise excellence for all – not just
the top, bottom or middle of the
distribution – and recognise diverse
forms of excellence”
Robert Sternberg

25. Why differentiate?

26. Learner Diversity
• ESL
• Learning difficulties
• disabilities
• Gifted & Talented
• Cultural differences
• Gender differences
• Everyone.. . Not just at ends of the
spectrum

27. Proactive not reactive

28. Student Profile
Person Learner Member of a group

29. In pairs:
How do you currently cater for learner
diversity in your classroom? Your PLT?
Your school?

30. Differentiation happens when…
Teachers consider:
Who Learners
What Content
How Process & Product
Where & When Environment

31. The Five Dimensions of Differentiation
Content Process
YOU
Environment Product