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Design Process

Initial presentation on Differentiation, Universal Design for Learning, and a new approach to approaching different types of learners. This video depicts the evolution in my thinking of how to maximize differentiation in my classroom. 

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Prototype Sketch

This image is a hand drawn draft of how I wanted to lay out my capstone project. 

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My Logo

My logo was inspired by the idea that learning can help you fly. While many things are possible with good learning, you need someone to help you facilitate that flight. Hence the balloons, which are anchored by the blue circle (teacher) but could be launched into the world at any moment. Originally the entire logo was blue, as blue is thought to be calming and serene in marketing and I want the differentiation process, for teachers, to be calm and serene. Jane, my advisor, suggested that the balloons should be different colors, to be differentiated, so to speak. There are seven balloons, which represent the seven learning styles. I really like the final product and feel it really represents what I am trying to achieve. 

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SITE Model Analysis 

Sociocultural: In the educational world, there is an enormous emphasis is placed on the value of differentiation. Teachers exist in a scarcity culture. A scarcity of resources such as time, development, and money leads teachers to just follow the pack when it comes to differentiated lesson planning. It is the Scarcity mindset is what makes teachers the most likely to stick to the “tried and true”. By using the lesson plan model provided by Learning for All, it will liberate teachers’ time so that they can focus on other areas.
Informational Perspective: Using the Common Core Standards as a baseline is a great way to create one curriculum that has multiple access points for multiple learning styles. The Common Core creates clear and achievable benchmarks. Teachers has this information at their fingertips, and by making sure that unit objectives align with Common Core Standards, there is no reason why we can’t create a multi-faceted unit in any subject. Despite the grumblings and mumblings over Common Core, many teachers and schools have incorporated this as a baseline when lesson planning.
Technical Perspective: Technically, teachers must be prepared to experiment and incorporate different platforms into their lesson plans. Teachers must be adequately educated in the seven types of learning styles, the ways to execute these learning styles. Willingness to incorporate different apps and technology into lessons in order to enhance the multi-faceted nature of this model of lesson plans will also be very important. Teachers need to be comfortable with collaboration apps such Google Apps.
Educational Perspective: Teachers must be willing to learn new ideas and technology in order to put the ideas of Learning for All into practice. We encourage our students to be lifelong learners. There is no better way to teach than to do. If teachers incorporate the 21st Century 4Cs into their thinking (Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, and Critical Thinking), this will go a long way towards successfully executing this methodology of differentiation. It is okay to experiment with the students, ask them for ideas and feedback. When teachers put it forward that this is a collaborative learning experience, students will be even more likely to be engaged.

Research

Support and Next Steps