Differentiation for LearningModule Details

Rationale
Differentiation is an important skill for a teacher, in order for the teacher to be inclusive hence instilling motivation and developing confidence in students. Every student is different, entering classrooms with varying ideas and understanding. This course will help potential teachers to improve their understanding and use of differentiating for learning within science, technology, engineering, computing and mathematics. Students will explore the key principles of effective differentiation for learning, see how teachers use these approaches in their classrooms, and learn how to differentiate for learning by task. The course will enable the students to be confident in their ability to respond to evidence of students’ learning and address their different needs.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students will be expected to:

i.    Analyse the research literature about Differentiating for Learning.
ii.    Identify a number of approaches for differentiating by using examples from the STEAM subjects.
iii.   Explore the links between differentiating for learning and assessment for learning.
iv.   Explain the key principles of effective differentiated learning.
v.    Collaborate with peers, educators and mentors to try out activities and share thinking in order to help shift practice.
vi.   Evaluate a range of practical ideas that can be used to elicit evidence from students and differentiate for their learning.
vii.   Critically reflect on own practice in order to prioritise next steps in own development.