What does differentiated instruction entail?

Differentiated instruction involves adapting teaching methods, materials, and resources to meet the diverse learning needs of students. This approach recognizes that learners come with varying backgrounds, abilities, and interests, and it seeks to tailor the educational experience to optimize each student's learning potential.

By differentiating instruction, a teacher might modify content, adjust the pace of lessons, or implement various instructional strategies, such as cooperative learning or individualized assignments. This flexibility in teaching supports not only struggling students but also those who are advanced, ensuring that all learners engage with the material meaningfully and effectively.

In contrast, teaching all students the same content uniformly fails to address individual differences, while providing additional homework for struggling students does not necessarily engage them in a way that meets their unique learning needs. Similarly, using standardized tests for all students does not accommodate varying learning styles or abilities and may not provide an accurate measure of understanding for every student.