Verified Document

Neuroscience Supports Differentiated Instruction Teaching Methods Differentiated Essay

¶ … Neuroscience Supports Differentiated Instruction Teaching Methods

Differentiated instruction is a fairly new concept in both the areas of neuroscience and education. The integration of research and findings in neuroscience into educational practices such as teaching methods is a fairly recent occurrence as well. The paper provides insight into differentiated instruction and the neuroscientific evidence that exists supporting it as a valid method of teaching in the classroom setting. The paper clarifies what is necessary for academic success for the students and professional success for educators using the model of differentiated instruction.

How Neuroscience Supports Differentiated Instruction

The 21st century has brought upon many innovations and alternative perspectives to learning and education. In recent years, the term "differentiated instruction" has been in circulation regarding teaching methods and to neuroscience. This paper will explain what differentiated instruction in education means and provide evidence that the discipline of neuroscience substantiates the validity of such a practice in teaching methods. The paper will make connections among ways in which the brain works, the ways the brain learns, and how differentiated instruction supports those natural habits of the brain. References the sources located, the paper will moreover provide practice insight as to how teachers may, with the support of neuroscientific evidence and techniques, implement differentiated instruction in the classroom so as to promote learning and support the learning habits of the brains of students. The paper analyzes current research and discoveries regarding how the learning methods of the brain are supported by differentiation instruction in the classroom setting.

Academic success and skill proficiency depends on numerous factors and conditions. The teaching methods or style of the instructor is a critical factor that contributes to students' success. One does not have to be a vastly experienced teacher to understand and experience first hand that there is no one teaching style that suits the learning styles of every student within the classroom. Each student learns in a different manner. Therefore, differentiated instruction acknowledges the differences among learners and acknowledges that some students are unsuccessful in their academic careers because there is a major disconnect...

Differentiated instruction is a part of the initiative that advocates that teaching methods must change in order to serve students best and to fully acknowledge the spectrum of learning styles teachers face each day in their classrooms. Thus, differentiated instruction admits the reality of the diversity of learning styles in every classroom and recognizes the reality that instructors face in attempting to reach and teach each student in the class. In every classroom, there is a spectrum of ability and learning style, even in a general education classroom. Teachers can use differentiated instruction while still adhering to state, national, or other standards or goals for the class. Differentiated instruction holds students and teachers accountable to standards, yet does so in a way that is more sensitive and flexible to the various learning needs of the students. Differentiated instruction also provides instructors opportunities to add variation to lessons as well as diversify the repertoire of skills each teacher has.
A grade or subject curriculum provides guidance to instructors as to the content of the course. Differentiated instruction provides guidance to instructors as to the method of instruction. Differentiated instruction requires that teachers alter the pace, level, or kind of instruction as per the response and/or interaction with students. The changes educators make may be a result of the learners' needs, learning styles, or even their interests inside and outside of the classroom. Differentiated instruction therefore demands energy, enthusiasm, and commitment; this is not a teaching method for a lazy or reactive teacher. Differentiated instruction serves proactive teachers best. This kind of instruction is similar to other kinds of instruction in that one of the goals of the method is to still and sustain internal motivation within each student. Because differentiated instruction depends heavily on the idiosyncrasies and unique aspects of each student, the instructor of the differentiated learning classroom must be organized and focused. The instructor must be flexible and again, be ready to come up with variations on traditional methods and lessons. Differentiated instruction invites teachers to think outside of the box while still adhering to relevant education standards.

Differentiated instruction like normative instruction…

Sources used in this document:
References:

Kaufold, S., & Kaufhold, J.A. (2009) Connection Brain Research and Differentiation Instruction: Implications for Teaching and Learning. Conference of the International Journal of Arts and Sciences, 1(6), 158 -- 163.

Nathanson, S.A., & Nathanson, M.L. (2004) Thinking about the Brain to Balance Classroom Literacy Programs. The Language and Literacy Spectrum, 14, 48 -- 61.

Thomas, A. (2010) A Neuroscience Approach to Differentiating Instruction. U.S. Department of Education's 2010 Reading Institute, 1 -- 35, USDOE: Anaheim, CA.

Wolf, M., Barzillai, M., Gottwald, S., Miller, L., Spencer, K., Norton, E., Lovett, M., & Morris, R. (2009) The RAVE-O Intervention: Connecting Neuroscience to the Classroom. International Mind, Brain, and Education Society, 3(2), 84 -- 93.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Orderly-Restrictive Learning Environments Fairmont Academy
Words: 1816 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

This would allow my students to be properly engaged during the time of issuing instructions. The instruction time is also to be maximized while disciplinary cases minimized in order to help in the achievement of academic success. I will research, evaluate and implement effective instructional strategies in the classroom settings that can help in providing the students with a rich as well as appropriate environment that is appropriate for learning. I

Cognition and Learning
Words: 5998 Length: 15 Document Type: Essay

Increasing of skills and knowledge and even knowledge of the society cannot be possible without social interactions. That is the basis of the social cognitive theory as it brings together attitudinal and cognitive effects. The major forms of continuous learning are via the environment, the web, media houses and social communications. The intensity of the effect this new knowledge would have on people is dependent on their individual mindsets. Social

Asperger Syndrome Asperger's Disorder --
Words: 10627 Length: 33 Document Type: Research Paper

The AS person has often spent an inordinate amount of time fixated on one particular (often peculiar) topic, and when that person is in a social environment, he or she tends to ramble on about the topic and that one-sided rambling is more important to that AS person than any other activity in a social setting, Woodbury-Smith writes on page 4. According to Woodbury-Smith, as the AS person gets older,

Drinking With Younger Jews
Words: 24280 Length: 5 Document Type: Dissertation

Parenting Style Influence on Excess Alcohol Intake Among Jewish Youth Ross Master of Science, Mental Health Counseling, College, January, 2008 Clinical Psychology Anticipated; December, 2016 The health hazards that are associated with adolescent alcohol use are well documented, and there is growing recognition among policymakers and clinicians alike that more needs to be done to address this public health threat. The purpose of this study will be to examine the effects of different parenting styles

Alcohol Drinking Among Young Jews
Words: 23454 Length: 3 Document Type: Dissertation

Parenting Style Influence on Excess Alcohol Intake Among Jewish Youth Clinical Psychology The health hazards that are associated with adolescent alcohol use are well documented, and there is growing recognition among policymakers and clinicians alike that more needs to be done to address this public health threat. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different parenting styles on alcohol consumption levels among Jewish college students in the United

Alcohol Drinking Among Young Jews
Words: 23424 Length: 4 Document Type: Dissertation

Parenting Style Influence on Excess Alcohol Intake Among Jewish Youth Clinical Psychology The health hazards that are associated with adolescent alcohol use are well documented, and there is growing recognition among policymakers and clinicians alike that more needs to be done to address this public health threat. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different parenting styles on alcohol consumption levels among Jewish college students in the United

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now