This module has helped me think about self-directed learners and the role of differentiation in the following ways...
Differentiation and self direction are key to a successful classroom.
Self direction is critical for students to be successful. They need to learn how to set goals and manage the process in working toward those goals. Formative assessments are a tool teachers can use to help students learn to be self directed. As students become aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and learning styles, they can use the information to make choices and become more self directed.
Differentiation is critical for all students to be successful. One size does not fit all. Differentiation whether it be of instruction, content, and or projects allows a teacher to try and meet the needs of all learners in the classroom and set them up for success.
You raise an excellent point -- the formative assessment is so critical in helping the instructor guide their process of differentiation. We have to know where the student is in the learning process before we can modify the instruction.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a good plan to differentiate for students on a regular basis. When differentiating, it then becomes easier to promote self-direction as students are more likely to begin researching and learning topics on their own.
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