Alternative (Differentiated) Teaching

School of Education - CSU, Chico

22 Jul 201503:05

Summary

TLDRThe co-teaching approach with differentiated instruction involves one teacher managing a large group while another focuses on a small group for specific learning needs. This method offers flexibility for enrichment, remediation, or pre-teaching, allowing personalized instruction. Teachers can address individual student needs, ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment where all students feel supported and understood.

Takeaways

👨‍🏫 Co-teaching involves two teachers managing students in different group sizes, with roles that can be switched.
📚 Alternative Differentiated Instruction is used to separate a small group for specific teaching purposes.
🔄 It can be used for remediation, enrichment, assessment, or pre-teaching to cater to individual learning needs.
🤝 The approach allows for instructional flexibility and can include behavior modification to support students.
🧩 Teachers can reteach concepts or provide different methods of instruction to better connect with struggling students.
🔑 Personalized instruction is key, with teachers adjusting their approach based on the student's needs and learning style.
🤔 Students may question why they are chosen for small group instruction, but it's important to create a non-stigmatizing environment.
🌐 A safe classroom environment is emphasized, where all students understand the purpose of different teaching methods.
📈 This approach should be used occasionally to boost performance, not as a regular practice that could label students.
👂 Small groups allow for better student-teacher connections, making students feel heard and safe to ask questions.
👍 Co-teaching with differentiated instruction is beneficial for teachers to identify and fill gaps in student learning.

Q & A

What is the co-teaching approach described in the script?
-The co-teaching approach described is a form of differentiated instruction where one teacher manages a large group while another focuses on a smaller group for specific instructional purposes. The roles can be switched between a resident and a mentor.
How can alternative differentiated instruction be used in a classroom?
-Alternative differentiated instruction can be used to separate a small group of students from the whole class to either teach the same content in a different way or provide intervention for those who haven't grasped a concept, or for enrichment for those who have and need to go further.
What are the benefits of using this co-teaching approach?
-The benefits include instructional flexibility, the ability to provide enrichment or remediation, assessment, pre-teaching, and alternative methods for lesson input. It also allows for personalized instruction to meet individual student needs.
Why might a teacher choose to teach a concept in a small group setting?
-A teacher might choose to teach a concept in a small group setting to provide a different perspective or method of learning, especially if a student is struggling with the concept or if a different teacher has a stronger connection with the student.
How can teachers avoid students feeling labeled or stigmatized when using this approach?
-Teachers should pull students for a variety of purposes to prevent any one group from feeling singled out. They should also communicate that all students have different needs and that the classroom is a safe environment for learning.
What is the role of the teacher who is not managing the large group?
-The teacher not managing the large group focuses on the small group, providing individualized attention, and support to enhance understanding and cater to specific learning needs.
How often should this co-teaching approach be used?
-This co-teaching approach should be used occasionally and when needed to increase the performance of particular students or groups of students.
What does the script suggest about the impact of small group instruction on student engagement?
-Small group instruction can make students feel heard and safe to ask questions, leading to a better understanding of the content and a more personalized learning experience.
How does the co-teaching model support teachers in identifying student needs?
-The co-teaching model allows for another set of eyes in the classroom, helping to notice gaps in student learning or those who need enrichment, providing additional support where needed.
What is the potential impact of this teaching approach on a teacher's connection with students?
-This approach can enhance the teacher's connection with students by allowing for more personalized interactions and understanding of individual student needs, leading to a stronger relationship and a more effective learning environment.
How does the script define the term 'differentiated instruction'?
-Differentiated instruction, as defined in the script, is the practice of tailoring teaching methods and materials to meet the diverse learning needs of students within a classroom.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Co-Teaching and Differentiated Instruction

The paragraph introduces a co-teaching approach known as Alternative or Differentiated Teaching. It involves one teacher managing a large group while another focuses on a smaller group for specific instructional purposes. The roles can be interchanged between a resident and a mentor. The strategy is used to teach the same content to a small group, provide intervention for students who haven't grasped a concept, or enrich the learning of students who have already understood the material. This method offers flexibility for various instructional needs such as enrichment, remediation, assessment, pre-teaching, and alternative lesson input. It allows for personalized instruction, behavior modification, and targeted support for students. The paragraph also discusses the importance of not stigmatizing students who are pulled out for this approach, ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment. The co-teaching model is recommended for occasional use to enhance student performance, with the benefits of reaching students' specific needs and creating a supportive classroom atmosphere.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Co-teaching

Co-teaching refers to an educational strategy where two or more teachers collaborate to instruct a class. In the context of the video, it involves a resident teacher managing a large group and a mentor teacher managing a small group, with the roles being interchangeable. This approach is highlighted as a way to provide individualized support and instruction to students, enhancing their learning experience by addressing diverse needs within a single classroom.

💡Differentiated Teaching

Differentiated teaching is a method that tailors instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students. The video emphasizes its use in separating a small group from the main class to either remediate or enrich their learning. This approach is crucial for providing personalized learning experiences, ensuring that all students, regardless of their current skill level, can progress at a pace that suits them.

💡Instructional Flexibility

Instructional flexibility is the ability to adapt teaching methods and materials to suit the varying needs of students. The video describes how alternative differentiated instruction allows for such flexibility, enabling teachers to reteach concepts, enrich learning, or modify behaviors to better serve individual student needs. This concept is central to the video's theme of creating an inclusive and effective learning environment.

💡Enrichment

Enrichment in education refers to activities or lessons designed to provide additional learning experiences for students who have already grasped the basic concepts. The video mentions using small groups for enrichment to take students further than the rest of the class, which is an example of how differentiated teaching can challenge and engage advanced learners.

💡Remedial Instruction

Remedial instruction is educational support provided to students who are struggling with a particular subject or concept. The script explains that differentiated instruction can be used for remediation, helping students who have not previously understood a concept to catch up with their peers, thus ensuring that no student is left behind.

💡Assessment

Assessment in education is the process of evaluating a student's learning and understanding. The video suggests that differentiated instruction can be used for assessment purposes, allowing teachers to identify areas where students may need additional support or intervention, which is vital for adjusting teaching strategies to meet student needs.

💡Behavior Modification

Behavior modification is the process of changing a student's behavior to improve their learning outcomes. The video script mentions behavior modification as one of the benefits of differentiated instruction, where teachers can provide specific support to help students improve their classroom conduct and focus, contributing to a more effective learning environment.

💡Personalized Instruction

Personalized instruction is an educational approach that tailors teaching to the unique needs, interests, and abilities of each student. The video underscores the importance of personalizing instruction to meet the specific needs of students, which can be achieved through differentiated teaching methods, ensuring that each student receives the support necessary for their success.

💡Stigma

Stigma refers to a negative perception or discrimination against individuals based on certain characteristics or circumstances. The video script cautions against creating a stigmatized environment when using differentiated instruction, emphasizing the importance of making all students feel valued and included, regardless of the group they are placed in for learning purposes.

💡Safe Classroom Environment

A safe classroom environment is one where students feel secure, respected, and supported. The video highlights the importance of creating such an environment, where students understand that being pulled into different groups for learning is not a sign of failure but a part of the educational process designed to cater to their individual needs.

💡Alternative Instruction

Alternative instruction refers to non-traditional teaching methods or approaches that deviate from the standard classroom practices. The video encourages the use of alternative instruction, particularly in co-teaching models, to provide diverse learning experiences and support for students, ensuring that all learners can benefit from the educational process.

Highlights

Co-teaching approach involves differentiated teaching where one teacher manages a large group while the other focuses on a small group.

Roles in co-teaching can be switched between the resident and mentor managing the large and small groups.

Differentiated instruction involves separating a small group for specific instructional purposes.

Small group instruction can be used for intervention or enrichment based on student needs.

This approach offers flexibility for various instructional needs including enrichment, remediation, assessment, and pre-teaching.

Personalized instruction can include reteaching, enriching, behavior modification, and providing specific support.

Planning alternative lessons involves identifying students who struggle and tailoring instruction to their needs.

Different methods of teaching can be employed to cater to students who may not have grasped a concept.

A strong teacher-student connection can be leveraged for small group instruction to enhance learning.

Co-teaching ensures that all teachers are connected with their students, fostering a supportive learning environment.

Students may wonder why they are chosen for small group instruction, which is addressed by explaining diverse learning needs.

A safe and understanding classroom environment is crucial for the success of co-teaching and differentiated instruction.

Co-teaching should be used occasionally to boost the performance of specific students or groups.

Differentiated instruction allows teachers to reach students' specific needs and understand their requirements.

In small groups, students feel heard and safe to ask questions, leading to a better understanding of the content.

Alternative instruction with co-teaching is beneficial as it provides support and helps identify gaps in student learning.