Discusses textbooks and the myth of the homogeneous classroom, differentiated reading assignments (DRAs), locating sources for DRAs, evaluating appropriateness of reading sources, collecting and organizing DRA sources, creating individualized student assignments, providing content exposure for students who cannot read available materials, and…

Describes a method of instructing students with a range of abilities that involves dividing the curriculum into layers. Provides a discussion of four steps for differentiating a science curriculum. Features of this approach include student choice of assignments based on their ability and motivation; oral evaluation of student assignments; and the…

Describes a new vision of adult learning that is expansive, dynamic, learnercentered, and mediated by advanced technologies. Highlights include constructed learning, contextual learning, collaborative learning, negotiated learning, personalized learning, responsive learning, and technology-mediated learning. (Contains 47 references.) (Author/LRW)

Suggests that the use of a personalized and rhyming approach makes reading more enjoyable and inviting to children because: (1) the sounds are appealing to the ear; and (2) the combination of personalization and rhyming keeps a child focused and maximizes repetitive readings. Concludes that personalization and rhyming are natural associations that…

Suggests a possibility of resolving the problem of reading motivation for some students. Considers that children and adults like to read about familiar places such as their home state with people and settings that they know about written by authors who live or have lived in that state. Includes a list of 50 books (arranged by state) for the upper…

Research shows that technology makes a difference in student motivation, engagement, and active learning. It also helps students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Providing each student with his or her own computing device such as a Palm handheld computer and appropriate software can have a great impact. This…

The author is a learning support teacher and works with children at Key Stage 3 (KS3) who are struggling to keep up with their peers in most areas of the curriculum. Many of them have specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia and problems may emerge in reading, spelling, writing, mathematics, speaking or listening.…

It is not enough to declare that differentiated instruction is going to be the order of the day. It also is not enough to call in a consultant and have teachers listen to a presentation about product, process, and assessment paradigms. Differentiated instruction is a practice that grows out of certain values that are important in the way school…

Differentiation is modified instruction that helps students with diverse academic needs and learning styles master the same challenging academic content. This month's newsletter examines the characteristics of differentiation and offers suggestions for how teachers can use it to improve student achievement. [This document was produced by The…

Course syllabuses are usually prepared by the instructors without any feedback observed and assembled from target students. More, even sometimes these syllabuses are used for many years with little alterations by the instructors. This situation affects the education negatively, because many of the students come with different backgrounds and…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that an Individualized Education Program (IEP) be developed for each child that receives special education services. To develop the most effective IEP, information is gathered from everyone who has worked with the child. In many schools the child receives early intervention services prior to…

To differentiate is to make different, distinct, or specialized (Costello, 1994). Differentiation has become popular in education as an instructional philosophy aimed at equitably meeting the learning needs of all students in the classroom. Differentiated planning and delivery of classroom guidance is also necessary for appropriate school…

Intelligence testing is an important part of any individualized education plan; however, a verbal test measure may not be appropriate for the child with a physical disability, visual impairment, and/or the inability to speak. A child with a physical disability may not be able to point accurately or build a tower with blocks; a child with a visual…

This article explains a two-part plan, created by the people at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC), to help staff members keep up with the sea change of technology. A core competencies training program was developed. This keeps workers afloat by providing them with the technology skills they need to support the change…

There is a disproportional representation of African American students in special education in the United States. Minimal use of differentiated instruction is a common reason for overrepresentation of minority students in special education. I conducted an action research study with elementary school teachers involving differentiated instruction.…