Differentiated Instruction, Differentiated Learning

What is Differentiated Learning?
Differentiated Instruction is an instructional concept that maximizes learning for ALL students--regardless of skill level or background. Students vary in their academic abilities, learning styles, personalities, interests, background knowledge and experiences, and levels of motivation for learning. Teachers also face growing populations of English Language Learners and student with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Differentiated Instruction is not only applicable to students with challeges, in fact it was originally designed to meet the needs of gifted and talented students. Today, rather than simply "teaching to the middle" by providing a single avenue for learning for all students in a class, teachers must use differentiated instruction to match tasks, activities, and assessments with their students' interests, abilities, and learning preferences, thus responding to the needs of ALL learners.

Why is Differentiated Instruction critical today?

• Enables teachers to open up learning opportunities for all students by offering varied learning experiences.
• Allows teachers to put research-based best practices into a meaningful context for learning.
• Helps teachers to understand and use assessment as a critical tool to drive instruction.
• Adds new instructional strategies to teachers' "toolboxes" -- introducing or reinforcing techniques to help teachers focus on essentials of curriculum.
• Gives administrators, teachers, and students an instructional management system to more efficiently meet the demands of high stakes testing.
• Meets curriculum requirements in a meaningful way for achieving students' success.

Differentiated Instruction Certificate

This 5-course online program is based on the philosophy and theories of Dr.  Carol Tomlinson. Addressing the issue of response to intervention (RTI), this program provides a thorough introduction to differentiated instruction.

Topics covered in the Differentiated Instruction Certificate program:

• Identifying learning styles and preferences.
• Designing more dynamic and engaging lessons and units.
• Challenging all students at appropriate levels.
• Developing ongoing, authentic assessment techniques.
• Utilizing differentiated instruction to benefit both general and special education students.

Dr. Tomlinson, who appears as a video instructor in several of the program's courses, is a world-renowned expert in differentiated instruction and assessment strategies and techniques. Dr. Tomlinson is author of The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners, How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms and Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom: Strategies and Tools for Responsive Teaching.

The program provides meaningful course of study regardless of subject area certification and is open to all licensed K-12 teachers who are currently teaching. Applicants must have a Bachelors and must be currently teaching in a classroom.

The program starts three different times (October, January, and March) during the year.

The certificate program is also offered face to face in both Kansas City, Missouri and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Generally, the face to face program only starts once a year in late January. Because this program can often be tailored to meet the needs of an individual school district, students should consult with their program advisors.

Courses for the Differentiated Instruction Certificate Program

To earn this certificate, a teacher must complete 15 semester hours. These five 3-credit-hour courses are in a nine-week format with five terms per year.

Introduction to Differentiation: Applying Learner-Centered Instruction
This course provides an introduction to the philosophy of differentiation. It will examine ways that classrooms can effectively support differentiating instruction and assessment to address the complex challenges of meeting the diverse learning needs of all students. Also covered are such issues as fairness and grading, developing study and academic skills and challenging all students at appropriate levels.

Differentiated Instructional Strategies: Meeting the Diverse Needs of Students
This course is designed to give participants the knowledge and skills to implement differentiated instruction successfully in their own classrooms. Topics include strategies for meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse student population within the context of today's challenging standards-based curriculum. Real-life video demonstrations will illustrate how to adapt curriculum content, processes and products to match students' readiness, interests and learning profiles.

Differentiated Assessment Strategies: Identifying Learners' Strengths and Needs
This course is designed to teach participants how to gather information through formal and informal assessment that will help them plan instruction more effectively. It will teach participants how to best utilize tests, surveys, checklists and guidelines to accurately assess their students' progress and plan for their continued success. Participants will also learn how to use ongoing assessment and assessment during learning to improve the effectiveness of their lessons.

Teaching in the Inclusive Classroom: Instructional Strategies for All Students
This course is designed to present participants with practical strategies to maximize learning for all students, including those with special needs. Participants will learn inclusive teaching techniques first hand with video visits to classrooms where teachers are successfully educating both general and special education students. Course learning activities will teach you how to design and implement curriculum modifications and activity adaptations based on the strengths and needs of students.

Differentiation and Literacy
This course provides a research-based overview of differentiated instruction and its application to literacy. Participants will explore instructional strategies designed to address K-12 students' individual strengths, interests and readiness in reading and writing. Assessment approaches that support differentiated instructional practices will be addressed. Prerequisite: EDUC5660.

• Differentiated Instruction - Master of Education
• Mild / Moderate Special Education - Master of Education