Education Philosophy

August 23, 2006 6:25 AM

A question about differentiation/grouping for teachers, administrators and parents in current education programs.

First, does anyone have any recommended reading for this subject? Second, does anyone have any experience with this subject first-hand? Flavor-of-the month type of philosophy for education or proven results? This is quite the controversy in our district and I thought some members might have some helpful thoughts or direction. Thanks.

posted by repoman to education (5 comments total)

Can you clarify what you mean by differentiation/grouping? ELL? If you mean differentiated instruction (where the teacher must teach to different learning levels simultaneously) then I think you are going to find that the philosophies and literature are themselves separated by discipline (i.e. differentiated reading instruction, math instruction, science instruction, etc.).
posted by mattbucher at 7:38 AM on August 23, 2006

I've been involved in a project (from the multimedia end of things, I'm not an educationalist) over the last few years, which has used Edward deBono's thinking techniques among others to apply differentiated instruction in classrooms with special needs. The 'Inclusive Learning through Technology' project site is here. Hope that helps.
posted by TwoWordReview at 8:46 AM on August 23, 2006

Well, I just recommend reading as much as possible. Read Holt. Read Gartner, and Gatto, and Kralovec, and anything else that strikes your fancy on the Dewey 370 shelf. Read a variety of things, and recognize that some of it will be good, but some of it will be bad. Learn to say "I don't agree with this because..." (Yes, it's ok to put down a book you find awful). Oh yeah, and don't skip How to Talk so Kids Can Learn. As for "stuff that works," Kumon has a 50 year track record, and yes there are schools that use it.
posted by ilsa at 9:41 AM on August 23, 2006

If you are talking about differentiated instruction, then email (in profile) me your address and I will send you what I have gathered over the last few years from schools I have taught, meetings I had to go to and articles I have read.
posted by nimsey lou at 11:20 AM on August 23, 2006

If you have a more specific question, I've been involved in a number of these sorts of programs and can tell you what they're like for students. (e-mail in the profile)
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 12:08 PM on August 23, 2006