Differentiation in education occurs when students are provided with different ways to learn in a classroom. For example, a teacher may assign a history project where students can write a report, create an art piece or put on a skit. This differentiation allows students to complete the project in a way that works best for their learning styles and abilities. Differentiation is often used in classrooms these days, but it is just starting to be recognized for its importance for gifted students.
Here are three reasons why it is so important for gifted students to use differentiated instruction in the classroom:
- It allows for a student to use their gifts to the best of their ability.
A gifted student may have particular strengths that really should be nurtured and used as often as possible. Referring back to the example above, a student gifted in painting would likely choose to paint a picture instead of writing a report or putting on a skit. Allowing students to work through their regular curriculum while using their gifts is an ideal situation.
- It allows gifted students to “work beyond” if they want to.
Even a gifted student among gifted peers may feel the need to go more in-depth with their studies or to go beyond what is being taught into more complex yet related subjects. By differentiating in the classroom, gifted students are able to go beyond what is being taught and challenge themselves by working on something that is more at their learning level.
- It allows the learning to be more customized to the student.
One of the biggest challenges in working with gifted students is that they are all different and need their curriculum customized to them. Using differentiation with gifted students allows the teacher to better customize lessons because everyone is able to work using their strengths and at a pace that is right for them. At the same time, the teacher is able to create one lesson that will work for everyone instead of having to make individual lessons for each student.
Differentiation can be incorporated with gifted students, and it should be. It can greatly improve education and make things easier on everyone in the classroom.
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