If you have been tutoring for any length of time, you will know that you will you need to spend evenings and weekends working. You may also know of some of the best differentiated strategies out there.
Perhaps you had no idea that what you have been doing all along has a formal name.
Today, different types of differentiated instruction have created formalised approaches that are delivered via workshops, seminars, texts, web pages and books that detail the particulars and strategies for differentiated instruction.
In this article, you will find out more about facets of teaching and learning that include different types of differentiated instruction.
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What are Strategies for Differentiated Instruction?
In the past, particularly in rural areas, children of a certain age range would attend classes in one room regardless of whether they were four or 14. In South Africa this is quite common.
Teachers would spend time educating older, more knowledgeable students as well as younger groups in equally divided time.
Whether groups are broken down by age or intellect, the notion of addressing the learning needs of students at different levels is foundational to differentiated instruction strategies.
During the early 1900s, education boards introduced standardised testing using the premise of two beliefs:
- that all students learn in the same way, and
- that all students have acquired the same knowledge by a certain age.
Based on these popular ideas, the practice of teaching to age groups became the foundation on which mainstream education was built.
As education evolved, the timeless practice of private tutoring flourished. What is interesting is that over the centuries teaching strategies have begun to change. Tutors, who have naturally used differentiated instruction strategies for millennia, have used methods that have remained relatively unchanged. For instance:
- Tutors offer one-on-one assistance to students or focus on small groups.
- Tutors adapt their pedagogy to incorporate the unique learning styles and interests of their students.
- Tutors are able to help develop the thinking skills of their students.
- Tutors can offer differentiated instruction strategies to help students learn.
- Tutors offer supportive and engaging learning environments.
- Tutors use strategies for differentiated instruction to conduct ongoing formative assessments of students.
Today, there is much criticism on schools for teaching only to test, however private tutors who continue to offer different types of differentiated instruction continue to see compelling results in their students.
The two extremes between these educational practices has resulted in a new consciousness where more people are asking the question: why is differentiated instruction important?
And with more students seeking strategies for differentiated instruction, the Department of Education cannot help but notice that different types of differentiated instruction should begin to be included in mainstream curriculums.
Strategies for Differentiated Instruction within Mainstream Schools
Schools all over South Africa have knowledgeable and passionate teachers within their systems.
Despite the pressure to improve the average results of students’ exam marks, they continue to dedicate time to designing lesson plans that attract the interest of their students both in and out of school.
Mindful of their own responsibility to develop professionally while maintaining the targets set by the Department of Education, many are asking the question: why is differentiated instruction important?
Teachers like this who offer their students superior learning experiences that ultimately lead to success invariably are the ones who attract attention. As a result, more and more educators are emulating the lesson plans that contain strategies for differentiated instruction.
So why is differentiated instruction important?
Perhaps one reason is that by including different types of differentiated instruction into curricula, educators can potentially relieve the burdens created by traditional teaching?
But, it may be that we are getting ahead of ourselves here.
To date, there is no formal mention of schools implementing strategies for differentiated instruction as a matter of policy. Instead, it is up to individual teachers to know how to question why is differentiated instruction important and then plan lessons accordingly.
It could mean that teachers assign group work to students based on unique learning styles.
For instance, they could assign gifted students inquiry-based projects that are designed to challenge intellectual levels of the group.
In another scenario, teachers could group kinaesthetic learners, those who thrive on physical activity, with projects where building or designing something illustrates a concept.
In the same way, students who have special needs could have their unique strengths targeted as well.
It has long been a habit of educators to load more advanced students with additional work that is not necessarily more challenging, but is just more voluminous.
Traditionally, students with special education needs have received additional help in various forms but have not yet been absolved of the work that is given to higher performing students.
In a nutshell, more people are waking up to the fact that when it comes to effective education, one size does not fit all. Having said this, forward-thinking and conscientious educators have always known that this teaching model is not effective. It is these pioneers who are the shining examples of what passionate teaching can accomplish.
But, how do they do it?
Simply, they have adopted the notion that multiple methods are available, all of which can impact how a student learns. In short, they know how to modify their teaching strategies to address as many of them as possible.
The net result is that there is differentiated instruction to suit every type of student.
When every student is able to keep up with traditional schoolwork, what will be left for students to do?
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Is Differentiated Instruction the End of Private Tutoring?
It is safe to assume that teachers don’t join the realm of education because it is a lucrative venture.
It is more probable that they have a passion for teaching and learning that they wish to impart to as many other students as possible. Therefore, it is logical that the need for tutoring will continue, come what may.
However, if, all students have their needs met through mainstream education, would the purpose for private tutoring be negated?
Of course not, because like anything in life, we continue to push the boundaries of our evolution. So it is with education. When it comes to working with individual students or small groups, the possibilities are endless.
Remember that far from being dispensers of knowledge, private tutors are able to wear many hats.
Tutors are Mentors
It is not often that a tutor will arrive at a lesson and only discuss the material at hand.
Generally, there is conversation regarding how well a student is doing as well as a catch up on news and events that have occurred since the previous session. Only once the student is feeling at ease and in a relaxed frame of mind does the tutor approach the new lesson material. Following that, there is an actual review and guidance on how to use optimal learning strategies.
Good tutors understand that external facts will impact a student’s potential to retain and absorb knowledge.
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Tutors as Confidantes
Often, students do not tell school authority figures or parents about issues that concern them. This could be anything from bullying to other inappropriate social behaviour. There is however a good chance that they may confide in a tutor.
So while a teacher may not have the time to truly delve into the lives of every student, a tutor has the luxury of discovering more about the world of the student so that it can be integrated into effective, unique lesson planning.
In the jargon of differentiated instruction, this is known as pre-assessment.
Tutors as Academic Coaches
As more teachers join the wave of thinking that supports differentiation instruction, more tutors are keen to find role as an academic coach rather than supplemental teacher.
An academic coach is able to help students develop unique learning strategies that can minimise stress. These techniques range from showing students how to maintain an organised study area to planning a daily study schedule.
They can also help students to develop higher order thinking and conceptualisation skills.
Academic coaching is an example of tutoring that is receiving new attention and focus so if and when differentiated instruction becomes mainstream, coaching may develop into a tutor’s main function.
Having said this, it is unlikely that major advancements in teaching and curriculum development are around the corner. This means that for those who desire a career in private tutoring, any changes to thwart those current processes are not exactly around the corner.
In time, as strategies for formal education evolve, both private tutors and teachers will have to adapt their roles to become more relevant.
Finally, never forget that all of these roles are ultimately integral to the success of a student so do not discount either too quickly.
Now, read Superprof’s comprehensive guide to differentiated instruction.
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Join the Superprof community and share your knowledge with inquiring and motivated students.
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