Workshop Focuses on Differentiated Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms

During the third and final workshop in the School of Education's 2017-2018 series "Research-Based Strategies to Enhance Learning for All Students", ​Carol Ann Tomlinson, from the University of Virginia Curry School of Education, led an interactive presentation of major themes from her updated publication How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms.

Over 100+ Southern California educators - classroom teachers, master teachers, resource teachers, preservice teachers, student teachers, graduate students, UCI Writing Project fellows, and education administrators - explored elements and attributes of quality differentiation and participated in small group discussions of ways in which teachers can address academic diversity.

To introduce discussion topics, Professor Tomlinson shared classroom videos and teacher lesson plans rooted in practice and practicality. Topics included: 

• What differentiation is and isn’t
• Rationale for differentiating instruction in academically diverse classrooms
• Needs of the student and role of the teacher in a differentiated classroom
• Management strategies
• Planning lessons across content areas and grade levels by readiness, interest, and learning profile
• Differentiating content, process, and product
• Helpful instructional strategies in differentiated classrooms

The School of Education will be offering  another series of interactive workshops for educators during the 2018-2019 academic year. Information will be available in September 2018.
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