Curriculum Design Models

Differentiated Instruction: Reaching Every Learner

By: Deborah McGeeney EDU-588 08/06/2025

OBJECTIVES:

• Understand what differentiated instruction (DI) is
• Learn the rationale behind DI and it's impact on student learning
• Explore strategies for practical classroom application
• Participate in an interactive activity to apply DI principles
• Review tools and resources for ongoing support

What is Differentiated Instruction?

Key Elements:*Content *Process *Product *Learning Environment

DEFINITION:Tailored instruction to meet individual needs.

core principles of DI:

• Student-centered approach
• Ongoing assessment and flexible grouping
• Respectful tasks and quality curriculum
• Teaching up (high expectations)

Why Differentiated?

• Diverse student needs, backgrounds, and abilities
• Increases student engagement and success
• Promotes equity and inclusivity in the classroom

Research and Rationale:

• Higher achievement and motivation when learning is personalized
• Backed by research from Tomlinson, Marzano, Hattie

Differentiation in Practice: Content

Content refers to adjusting the information or skills students need to learn:

• Varying what students learn

• -Leveled texts.
• -Audio/video resources
• -Choice boards.

Differentiation in Practice: process

This involves varying the activities and strategies students use to make sense of and master the content:

• Varying how students learn
• -Tiered activities
• -Learning centers
• -Flexible groups

Differentiation in Practice: Product

This involves changing the assignments or tasks students complete to demonstrate their understanding of the content:

• Varying how students show what they know:
• -Choice menus
• -Projects
• -Visual/audio reports

learning environment:

• Varying the setting or structure:
• -Quiet spaces
• -Collaborative zones
• -Anchor charts

Planning for Differentiation:

• Use pre-assessments
• Adjust instruction with formative data
• Plan with learning profiles in mind

Application activity:

• Activity: Analyze a sample lesson plan
• Task: In groups, identify ways to differentiate the lesson (content, process, product)
• Debrief and share out

Tools and resources:

• Choice board templates
• Sample pre-assessments
• Tiered assignment examples
• Video: https://youtu.be/XU7GpiE-p2g

Implementation plan:

• Action steps for teachers
• Suggested timeline
• Optional follow-up PD or coaching

references:

Tomlinson, C. A. (2001). How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms

Marzano, R. J. (2003). Classroom Instruction That Works

Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning. https://visible-learning.org/2009/02/visible-learning-meta.study