WHY IS DIFFERENTIATION IMPORTANT?
Differentiation in the classroom is an important skill for teachers to give pupils the best chance at learning, regardless of their abilities, strengths and weaknesses and to facilitate their best chance of learning. Differentiation helps teachers cater for pupils with varying levels of readiness to learn, interest and ability, and guides teachers on the best way to engage them.
Firstly, it is important to outline the differences between learning profiles and their key attributes, so teachers know how to identify them in their classroom. There are seven main profiles to be aware of.
1. THE INVISIBLE CHILD
This student is likely to be quiet and withdrawn, generally making his or her way through school without any significant impact, good or bad. This learner will often be in the middle set for core subjects like Science, Mathematics and English, will achieve average test scores that parents and teachers don’t feel require any extra attention.
2. THE UNDERACHIEVER
This type of student will have lots of ability, but will show low levels of interest and readiness. Frustratingly for teachers, his or her ability is evident in communication and personal conduct, but the academic motivation is lacking. Teachers should be willing to invest extra time to build a rapport with this child so they feel comfortable discussing any issues which may be affecting them.
3. THE RIGHT PLACE, WRONG TIME LEARNER
This pupil’s ability and motivation to learn both score highly, however for a variety of different reasons, his or her readiness to learn is lower. In the majority of cases, this will be circumstantial. There could be multiple factors affecting why they are not prepared to learn at this stage.
4. THE LEARNER WITH A POTENTIAL SPECIALISM
Often this student can be perceived as having a low ability, despite having a medium to high interest level, coupled with a high level of readiness. One of the key considerations when assessing how to nurture a niche learner is patience. Teachers must be prepared to accept that it will take a while longer for this type of student to establish his or her full potential.
5. THE UNMOTIVATED LEARNER
For any number of reasons, this learner may feel unmotivated and lacks interest, despite presenting solid levels of ability and readiness. However, this type of learner has a highly active mind, so it is imperative to keep him or her interested so that he or she can find the motivation to focus on a particular subject.
6. THE PERFECTLY PRIMED LEARNER
Typically, this learner presents high levels of ability, is well equipped with readiness to learn and has a keen interest in his or her chosen subjects. However, teachers must work hard not to overlook these model students. A student with a high ability level is likely to crave stimulation at all times, which comes hand in hand with a desire for attention.
7. THE LEARNER IN NEED
A student with a low ability and a low readiness to learn may have trouble expressing his or herself in learning environments. Educators should not be despondent in their approach to dealing with this student, however. While this learner’s ability may impede him or her from achieving the same grades as those in higher sets, there is no reason why they should not be encouraged to make the best of their abilities.
SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES TO ENGAGE THESE STUDENTS
After distinguishing between these seven types of learners in the classroom, it’s necessary to fully understand the common levels of readiness, ability and interest that apply to each. Once these different elements have been identified in each learner, specific techniques can be implemented to engage each type of pupil in the most effective way.
USE THESE TECHNIQUES
1. Giving assurance to the invisible child
This particular child is likely to be quiet at school — or just keep their head down get on with their work — and is less likely to misbehave or be disruptive. It is important for teachers not to overlook this pupil and to encourage confidence through collaborative learning. By facilitating group learning and teamwork, all students have a common goal. Teachers should establish rules to ensure pupils listen to each other, and encourage invisible children to take ownership of their ideas.
USE THESE TECHNIQUES
2. Improving interest of the underachiever
This pupil usually scores highly in ability but lacks motivation. The best way to engage underachieving children is to establish his or her primary interests. Constant communication and building a good rapport will help teachers get to the bottom of this child’s enthusiasm. Students who feel that their personal passions are being valued are likely to respond more positively, which will, in turn, improve their readiness to learn.
USE THESE TECHNIQUES
3. Cooperative learning for the right place, wrong time learner
Cooperative learning involves group activities in which all students have a common goal, but are interdependent upon each other to achieve it. Students should be observed and provided with assistance where necessary, and then the group work should be assessed at the end of the lesson. As the group’s success depends on everybody’s individual efforts, this type of learning encourages not only teamwork and interaction, but also personal abilities and responsibilities. By giving this student a key role for which he/she has responsibility, the student will have a renewed sense of purpose.
USE THESE TECHNIQUES
4. Creative engagement with the learner with a potential specialism
This student has medium to high interest and high readiness, but perceived (often incorrectly) as having a low ability. One of the key considerations when engaging this pupil is patience, and a willingness to get to the bottom of their interests. Learners with very specific specialisms may at times come across introverted and work best when learning alone rather than interacting in groups. Creative thinking is important for engaging for these pupils, and allowing them to express their understanding in a less conventional way. What’s more, group learning should not be overlooked for this pupil – this can be essential to improving confidence.
USE THESE TECHNIQUES
5. The unmotivated learner benefits from external resources
Unmotivated learners who present medium to high levels of ability and readiness can benefit from collaborative learning sessions and external resources. By having the chance to work together towards a common goal attuned to their interests, these students can vocalise their passions and rekindle their spirit for a particular subject. External subject matter experts that act as mentors and teach these children about their specific interests can act as an alternative to traditional classroom learning.
USE THESE TECHNIQUES
6. The perfectly primed learner needs stimulation
A student with a high ability level is likely to crave stimulation at all times, which comes hand in hand with a desire for attention. Whilst the teacher should encourage those with high abilities, he or she must also be wary of cultivating complacency. It is good practice to use a variety of different resources, from digital technology to talks from external mentors on specific subjects, to keep these pupils engaged and inspired.
USE THESE TECHNIQUES
7. Build a rapport with the learner in need
A learner in need may be one of the most challenging learning profiles for teachers, but through extra encouragement and building a strong rapport, this pupil can be inspired. Collaborative work is beneficial by allowing him or her to learn from his or her peers. Additional support may be necessary — offering counsel, for example, if he or she is experiencing personal problems. Technology can also be a useful means to develop a skill or interest in this pupil.
AS A CONCLUSION...
Understanding how pupils’ learning conditions can impact their learning profiles is an incredibly useful skill in teaching. It arms teachers with the necessary information to differentiate their teaching methods in the classroom, and to enable all their pupils to learn in the most effective way.
References: https://resourced.prometheanworld.com/differentiation-classroom-engaging-different-learners/
https://resourced.prometheanworld.com/tech-teaching-different-abilities/
https://resourced.prometheanworld.com/differentiation-types-learner/