Week 7: Feb 22-26

This week we focused on planning classroom instruction and learning according to the students needs. The way this can be accomplished is by using the INCLUDE strategy, which stands for:

I-Identify classroom demands
N-Note student learning strengths and needs
C-Check for potential areas of student success
L-Look for potential problem areas
U-Use information to brainstorm ways to differentiate instruction
D-Differentiate instruction
E-Evaluate student progress

Using these strategies, we can help students understand material in individualized and specialized ways because we are catering and specifying the curriculum to the way in which students can grasp the information to the best of their abilities. Personally, I think its all about focusing on the strengths and weaknesses that each student has and helping them improve their weak areas.

In some situations, universal design is the best method and in other circumstances, differentiated instruction is more effective because it allows the teacher to cater the curriculum to the individualized needs of the student. This often works more effectively because students are not left behind and are able to reach their academic goals.