3 credits
Fall 2024 Distance Learning Upper Division
This course provides a solid foundation and set of principles for differentiating curriculum and instruction in any classroom at any grade level. Students will explore a variety of evidence-based strategies, tools, and curriculum models that effectively meet the diverse needs of all learners. Through readings, online class meetings and discussions, case studies, differentiated instruction examples, direct application, and reflection, students will deepen their understanding and need to differentiate. With an overarching goal of increasing achievement and developing student talents, this course includes the following major components: creating positive learning environments that support a) high-quality curriculum; b) diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments to inform instructional decision-making; and c) flexible grouping; addressing student differences in readiness, interest, and learning profile (including learning preference, intelligence preference, gender, culture, language preference, locale, and opportunities to learn) and appreciating how these differences influence the ways in which students learn and are motivated; understanding that the process of differentiation involves modifying content, process, product, learning environment, and/or affect; incorporating higher-order thinking skills, creative problem solving, project-based learning, authentic/respectful tasks, collaborative learning, and other evidence-based strategies to promote student achievement and talent development; understanding how differentiation of curriculum and instruction fits within specific educational interventions and models, such as scaffolding, flexible grouping, Response to Intervention (RTI), and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
Learning Outcomes1Deconstruct the concept of differentiation as a response to the readiness levels; interests; learning preferences and strengths; and academic, social, emotional needs of learners by modifying curriculum, instruction, learning environment, and/or affect.
2Assess students' readiness, interests, and learning profiles to create differentiated lessons that utilize instructional strategies and technologies that motivate and engage students in learning, including those from special populations.
3Develop, implement, and evaluate various differentiated instructional plans designed to maximize learning and demonstrate proficiency in analyzing and evaluating differentiated lessons taught by other teachers.
4Evaluate and reflect upon your course experience and your plan to implement differentiation knowledge and skills gained in this course.
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Attachments
made by Purdue students.