http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/differentiated/bravmann.htm

by Stephanie Bravmann

The author reviews the origins of differentiated instruction in gifted education, and suggests that teachers can adjust elements of their classroom in order to provide appropriate instruction to each individual student. She proposes that differentiation is based on the following:  Everyone learns differently; Quality is more important
than quantity (e.g. significance trumps coverage); “One-size-fits-all” curriculum and instruction presumes that content is more important than students. Additionally, she suggests that the beliefs, in turn, require that every teacher answer three specific questions:
. In the content you must teach, what is it that you want all of your students to know?
. How can each student best learn this in ways that are appropriate to his/her specific needs?
. How can each student most effectively demonstrate what s/he has learned?
This short article summarizes key aspects of differentiated instruction.