Why is differentiating instruction so important?

Educators nowadays are talking about differentiating instruction.  “Differentiating instruction is soo important”… “Differentiating instruction is something every teacher needs to do”… “Differentiating instruction this”… “Differentiating instruction that.”  But what is differentiating instruction and why is it soo important?  As a future teacher I find myself asking these questions, and after learning about differentiated instruction, I agree that it is important to each and every student’s success.

According to an article by Carol Ann Tomlinson on readingockets.org, differentiating instruction is tailoring instruction to meet students individual needs.  When a teacher uses more than one method of teaching, this is considered differentiating.  There are four elements that can be changed during differentiation:  content, process, products, and learning environment.

Since classrooms are now including all students, there may be varying learning levels in one classroom.  There can be special needs students and gifted students all learning in the same environment.  This is where differentiation comes in.  A teacher can first differentiate the content being taught.  This could include having students read books a different reading levels, having in-class ability grouping, and much more. 

Differentiating the process is changing how the students learn the material.  Some students learn best by listening, whereas others learn best through seeing or even using manipulatives.  For those tactile learners, teachers should provide manipulatives, but they should also provide a visual to aid those who learn best that way.  Differentiating process can also be providing different lengths of time or support to students.

Differentiating products is giving students different options on what they’re graded on.  This could be used during any kind of project or book report.  Giving students options allows them to choose a method that best suits their learning style, but they are still coming up with a product that you know satisfies your objective for the lesson.  Although the products may be different, each student has learned in their own way.

Finally, differentiating the learning environment could be providing students with quieter places if need be.  As a teacher, it is your job to set guidelines for the classroom and make sure students know how the classroom works.  Allowing students to work in the back of the room in a “comfy” spot could be considered differentiating the learning environment as well.

In the book “Can We Skip Lunch and Keep Writing?” by Julie Ramsay, she talks about how one size does not fit all.  She tells how her class needed work in different areas.  Even though they all had to do one project, there were multiple ways for them to learn.  Each group was targeting a different area, and this shows how differentiated instruction can work well in a classroom.  Although differentiating may provide a little more work as a teacher, it will add to the success of students in the long run, which is what matters most.