Society for Quality Education: Sharing Proven Effective Practices: Blog : Undifferentiated Snake Oil

Undifferentiated Snake Oil

September 12, 2013 by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) at 07:18 AM

Differentiated instruction is currently very popular in education circles these days, holding that students have different learning styles and thus teachers should tailor their instruction to each student's' presumed styles. It's easy to see how the theory caught on - it makes intuitive sense, no question - but unfortunately there is no evidence that it works. Worse, there are significant downsides to its use - for example, it asks too much of teachers, encouraging them to work like fiends, and then almost guarantees that despite teachers' best efforts their teaching won't get good results. How discouraging and frustrating and upsetting for everyone concerned!

Click here for a new report from teacher Michael Zwaagstra about the problems with the differentiated instruction fad.

Comments

POSTED ON BEHALF OF DOUG

Today I am in 100% agreement Differentiated Instruction is a stupid fad. It will pass but as often is the case it will cause a lot of problems.

The phrase “students need to be taught at their own level” leads to “students going nowhere at their own level” a stupid shapeshifting idea that will not die.

Posted by Malkin Dare on 09/12 at 08:20 AM

I suspect that most teachers ignore this fad because it is absolutely impossible to practice. Most students learn pretty much the same way. It’s right up there with multiple intelligences.

Posted by doretta on 09/12 at 08:56 AM

Malkin,

This particular blog and the link to the excellent article are much appreciated. This is the stuff that makes a difference - will share with peers.

Doretta,

You are spot on - we ignore the silly fad - but our PD days are hijacked listening to folks who barely remember a classroom expound the value of differentiation. Think about the $$$ that is wasted in this sort of empty exercise.

best, Mirka

Posted by Mirka on 09/21 at 11:08 AM

most teachers ignore this fad because it is absolutely impossible to practice. students want some relief to teaching techniques so they can also maintain a positive thing for teachers.

Posted by oza nirav on 09/06 at 09:01 AM

This mode of teaching can only succeed in an environment of almost limitless resources and small student/pupil groups. It is unsustainable and comes with a bunch of administration and managerial issues. Some of the issues are: assessment of progress, comparison of performance and lack of transparency.

Posted by Ian Masinde on 04/23 at 07:14 AM

Subscribe to our mailing list

Undifferentiated Snake Oil

Comments

Leave A Comment