Differentiating Instruction in the Online Classroom ETLO Fall Webinar

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Differentiating Instruction in the Online
ClassroomETLO Fall Webinar

• Dr. Jackie Mangieri
• MVPS Facilitator/Peer Coach
• jackie_mangieri_at_yahoo.com

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Goals for this Webinar

• Define differentiated instruction and its
  applicability for online teaching and learning
• Discover options for differentiating content,
  process, and products in the online classroom
• Discuss ideas and action steps for
  differentiating instruction in your online
  classroom

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What is Differentiated Instruction?

• Multiple approaches to the curriculum
• Learner-centered and flexible
• Qualitative and tied to assessment outcomes
• Dynamic

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Differentiated Instruction

• In short, differentiated instruction is an
  approach in which teachers can vary Content
• Process
• Products
• According to their students
• Readiness
• Interests
• Learning profiles

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What isnt DI?

• A new idea or a passing fad
• Individualized instruction
• A rigid grouping strategy
• Making assignments a little bit easier or a
  little bit harder
• Something that only is applicable in the
  face-to-face classroom!

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What does this mean for online?

• DI is concerned with student readiness for
  specific learning tasks.
• Consider the work of Vygotsky (1978) the zone
  of proximal development (ZPD)

ATHERTON J S (2005) Learning and Teaching 
Constructivism in learning   On-line UK
Available http//www.learningandteaching.info/lea
rning/constructivism.htm   Accessed 19 July 2007
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Differentiating Content

• Content is the knowledge, skills, and attitudes
  we want students to learn.
• Learning tasks and objectives must be aligned to
  overall learning goals.
• Instruction should be concept-focused.

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Strategies for Differentiating Content Online

• Curriculum compacting
• Learning contracts
• Minilessons
• Varied text and resource materials
• Conditional releases
• Podcasting

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Differentiating Process

• Process refers to the learning activities or
  strategies that allow students to explore the
  essential understandings and key concepts and
  principles.
• Effective activities move students from their
  current level of understanding to a more complex
  understanding.

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Strategies for Differentiating Process Online

• Blogs
• Graphic organizers
• Choice charts
• Flexible pacing
• Peer teaching
• Wikis

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Differentiating Products

• Differentiating products involves varying the
  complexity of the products that students create
  to demonstrate mastery of the essential
  understandings and key concepts.
• All students deserve an interesting and engaging
  learning experience that requires high-level
  thinking.

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Strategies for Differentiating Products Online

• Use many assessment strategies
• Vary expectations and requirements
• Plan appropriate scaffolding
• Determine how products will be shared
• Provide guidelines to students

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Questions?
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Discussion

• How are you already meeting the unique needs of
  your individual students?
• What differentiation strategy would you like to
  try?
• How can you encourage your students strengths?
• What is a good first step you can take?

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Resources for Online Learning

• NACOL - http//www.nacol.org/
• SREB Online Teachers - http//www.srebonlineteache
  rs.org/
• K12 Online Conference -http//k12onlineconference.
  org/
• Cool Cat Teachers Blog - http//coolcatteacher.bl
  ogspot.com/

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Web Resources for DI

• http//www.education-world.com/a_curr/strategy/str
  ategy042.shtml (good overview with links to
  learning more)
• http//members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/differenti
  ating.html (overview of DI)
• http//members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/differenti
  atinglinks.html (links)
• http//members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/differenti
  atingstrategies.html (strategies)
• http//www.internet4classrooms.com/di.htm (links
  to DI and related resources)
• http//www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_diffins
  truc.html (great article about DI)