Differentiation: Building on What You’re Already Doing

In a nutshell, differentiation involves making intentional adjustments so that all learners can successfully reach the learning objective. In Adult Basic Education, differentiation is crucial due to the diverse backgrounds of learners within a single classroom. This diversity may stem from differences in language, prior educational experiences, available study time, interests, learning goals, learning styles, strengths, and more.

However, differentiation doesn’t mean designing a separate lesson plan for each student! Instead, it’s about adapting your approach to create an inclusive and effective learning environment. Watch this video from Education Week, "Differentiating Instruction: It’s Not as Hard as You Think," to explore differentiation further and see real-world examples. While the video focuses on K-12 education, you may recognize similar challenges—such as students disengaging, losing focus, or struggling with a topic that doesn’t resonate with them.

As you watch, reflect on these questions:

• How have I already incorporated differentiation into my work with learners?
• What additional strategies could I use to better support all learners?