How can you use differentiated instruction to build resilience in your students?

Students and, more importantly, parents need to understand that taking on challenges may mean not always getting an ‘A’. If we value challenge, then we need to also value not being perfect, always striving for growth. Challenge will look different for each student, meaning one size cannot fit all.

It's important to remember that the learning goal remains the same regardless of how the differentiation is provided. Differentiation allows for all students to have equitable access and learning experiences to master the learning targets. Something a teacher can do tomorrow to differentiate their class is plan their questioning. Consider writing out assessing and advancing questions. We ask assessing questions to honor what knowledge students have and/or discuss student thinking during the course of the sense making. We use advancing questions to advance the knowledge of students in real time as they are problem solving or after they finish solving a problem. We can use advancing questions to make connections across strands of learning.

Well, differentiated instruction is not all that easy to adopt in Higher education. However, as teachers/ professors, we do try to identify students' specific needs and tailor lessons on a one-to-one basis, depending on the conveniences and availability of both. Personally, I usually adopt this by giving real-life experiences as examples and use storytelling to achieve this. This has worked well for me to see changes in students' perception of concepts and understanding of the subject. According to research, storytelling is the best way of teaching, and is also, one of the ways I adopt. If not completely, we still achieve success to a certain extent, so that both are benefitted in the process.

In my experience, the most challenging yet rewarding aspect of pedagogy and curriculum development is creating rich tasks and learning opportunities that allow multiple entry and exit points for students. Resilience comes from students feeling safe enough and challenged within the classroom to take more challenging exits to these tasks, particularly when they are allowed the opportunities of time and support to fail and try again. The challenge for educators is to build a safe and challenging learning environment to encourage students to avoid taking the easy way out. That is becoming increasingly difficult in a society where students are rewarded for quick interactions online and in games, limiting student interest in long-term learning.

What I have found most beneficial is building assignments into my courses with real pragmatic impact on my students. When we talk about sleep processes, the assignment is to develop a new sleep hygiene paradigm and log progress for a week. When we cover the effects of stress, we develop a stress reduction plan for finals week. Each student can take the assignment in the direction that best benefits them based on research-based parameters. Students not only give me feedback indicating that they learned from it. More importantly, they behave differently moving forward.

In contrast, in a uniform educational setting, challenges may prove to be excessively demanding, potentially leading to feelings of discouragement and a reluctance to continue learning. Tasks that are too easy, the risk exists of students developing an inflated perception of their abilities, which may later result in situations where they find themselves ill-prepared.

When education is tailored to individual needs rather than adhering to a uniform approach, students are provided with the opportunity to engage with concepts and content at a level that aligns with their age and proficiency. This approach encourages them to confront challenges that are appropriately matched to their abilities, thereby nurturing their self-assurance and belief in their capabilities. This process cultivates resilience, as students learn to navigate and persevere through obstacles.

Differentiated instruction is a powerful tool for building resilience in students. By addressing the diverse learning needs of each individual, educators send a profound message: every student's learning journey is unique and valuable. This personalized approach encourages students to embrace challenges and learn from setbacks, rather than shying away from them. It's not just about academic success; it's about nurturing a mindset of growth and perseverance. Practical strategies, like varied teaching materials or flexible groupings, make this approach accessible and effective. Ultimately, when students are taught based on their strengths and needs, they develop the confidence and resilience to face any challenge that comes their way.

This can be achieved through; 1.Tailor Learning Experiences:customize your teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles and paces. Some students may grasp concepts quickly, while others need more time. Provide alternative materials to cater for different learning preferences. 2.Encourage Problem-Solving: Create opportunities for students to tackle real-world problems and make decisions independently. Assign projects or tasks that require critical thinking and decision-making. 3.Provide Constructive Feedback: emphasizes effort, progress, and perseverance rather than just the end result. Acknowledge students' achievements, no matter how small, and guide them through the process of self-assessment and improvement.

By honoring the fact that not everyone learns the same and not forcing the individual to fit the content, which is very often a one-size-fits all way of teaching, we can help students by by making sure the content fits the individual. By doing this, we foster a feeling of belongingness and ability to learn in students, rather than a sense of fear and discouragement.

Every year, one of my class agreements was, “We will engage in and find beauty in productive struggle.” I explained to my young scientists that when they engaged in challenging tasks, their brains produced myelin which increased the efficiency of their growing brains. This agreement was an intentional effort to teach my students the beauty of resiliency that will serve them well in life. As the mom of a brilliant Autistic learner, I often remind myself of this agreement. Allowing my child to struggle with hard tasks has taught her how to advocate for herself as a learner and that she too can do hard things. Resilient learners become resilient adults capable of navigating a rapidly changing world.

Being a teacher and a mother of twins I have observed that it's very important to build resilience among children because it's such a valuable quality that offers numerous benefits to them as they navigate from academics personal development and life in general. It's important for their emotional well being. Resilient students are better at identifying problems and finding creative solutions for those problems. They are always better at adapting to changing circumstances and they learn from mistakes Moreover resilience can reduce anxiety about the future. Students who are confident in their ability to handle challenges are less likely to worry accessively about what lies ahead

In my experience the most difficult thing is to teach students to analyze and assimilate knowledge on their own. There are many techniques for this. It is important to keep the student's attention throughout the entire period of study. Therefore, it is necessary to distribute the load correctly and be ready to swap different ways of learning. Non-standard teaching methods are also welcome. There have been cases when students assimilated more information in an informal setting than when they were sitting in the classroom. The task of the head of the academic team is to monitor the optimal psycho-emotional state of students and take timely measures to distribute the academic load. It is important not to forget about the state of the lecturers

L’enjeu de l’enseignement aujourd’hui n’est plus seulement la connaissance descendante mais bien le projet de recherche consistant à chercher au bon endroit à vérifier les sources de la connaissance, trier, hiérarchiser, organiser…être actif dans son apprentissage à son rythme est fondamental pour un éveil bienveillant.

Providing resilience to our students is essential for preparing them for an always faster changing world, full of serious global challenges which can only be solved with a growth mindset and as a collaborative effort.

I agree that the best place to start differentiation is data collection of your class. This can be done through informal and formal assessments. Knowing your students strengths, areas of weakness as well as their interests leads to effective planning. Planning is key to differentiation. But also, being flexible as a teacher and not being afraid to make use of unexpected "learning moments" or the direction the lesson can take as a result of your learners guiding their own learning.

Actually every student needs care n guidance, therefore we need to identify their problems individually and with my experience, it doesn’t consume more time if u tend to help them as teachers. We hv to felicitate them to become a better version of themselves so motivating them towards that is what we can do .

Flexibility in Content and Process: Offer multiple ways for students to access and engage with content. Allow for different pathways to demonstrate understanding. Varied Assessments: Provide a range of assessment options, such as projects, presentations, or written assignments. This accommodates different learning styles and strengths, helping students build confidence. Encourage Collaboration: Foster a supportive classroom environment where students can collaborate and learn from each other. Working in diverse groups helps build social and emotional resilience.

An important, and maybe underestimated feature of differentiated learning is the positive impact it also has on the teacher. Teachers must also embrace a growth mindset in their beliefs about their students’ intelligence. This means spending time to plan for and differentiate instruction for individual student needs. This may seem impossible with an overcrowded classroom, so it is important for teachers to create visual aids, charts, and structured lesson plans that allow for greater clarity and organization in the classroom. Well-organized classrooms can foster a climate in which student learning is promoted and student (mis)behavior can be productively addressed.

One valuable lesson I acquired early in my teaching journey was the importance of coming prepared with multiple definitions and a diverse array of real-life examples when conveying complex concepts to my students. I made it a practice to draw upon examples from various industries, diverse cultural contexts, and a wide range of complexity levels, which helped students with varying skillsets and backgrounds to relate to what what being taught. This approach allowed me to connect with any student who might have been struggling with a particular topic. More often than not, this worked. If not, I never hesitated to temporarily set aside the subject, engage in further research for additional examples, and return to it the following day.

To support students' resilience, it's crucial to foster a caring classroom culture alongside differentiated instruction. Encourage open communication, provide emotional support, and teach problem-solving skills. Recognize their efforts and growth, creating an environment where setbacks are viewed as opportunities to learn and bounce back stronger. Building resilience involves both teaching strategies and nurturing a supportive atmosphere.

Provide Choices: Allow students to choose topics, projects, or assignments based on their interests. This autonomy can boost motivation and resilience. Regular Feedback: Offer timely and constructive feedback that focuses on improvement. Feedback should be specific, actionable, and encourage students to see challenges as opportunities to learn. Teach Stress Management Techniques: Integrate activities that teach stress management and coping skills. This equips students with tools to navigate challenges and setbacks. Build a Positive Classroom Culture: Foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity. Celebrate diversity and create a safe space where students feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes.

Normalize making mistakes, failing, and being rejected by sharing stories where you as their teacher has done one, two or all of these things.

In my experience resilience can be learned when students are allowed to work in groups, are encouraged to ask for help, they are in an environment where effort is valued more than results and where mistakes are used as positive learning opportunities. Resilience is also learned by nurturing a sense of belonging and incorporating in the differentiated instruction the art of communicating with people especially the art of listening. It is important students master an healthy way of sharing personal vulnerability. Instruction should not only focus on content knowledge, but rather promote the flourishing of a person as a whole human being able to face difficulties by using their creativity, teamwork skills and be empowered by helping others.

My focus on intercultural dialogue and global partnerships not only widens their intellectual horizons but also teaches them adaptability—an underrated but crucial aspect of resilience. So, to sum it up, differentiated instruction is not just an educational strategy; it's a life strategy. By tailoring our approaches to meet individual needs, we're not just teaching subjects; we're teaching resilience. We're equipping our students to adapt, persevere, and bounce back from challenges, skills that are invaluable in the classroom and beyond.

Teachers should connect classroom learning to real-life situations and challenges. When students see the practical relevance of what they're learning, they are more likely to develop problem-solving skills and resilience, as they understand the value of their knowledge.

Differentiated instruction provides students with different levels of support. For example, students who are struggling with a particular concept can be given more scaffolding and support, while students who are ahead of the class can be given more challenging enrichment activities. It also allows students different ways to learn the same material. For example, some students may learn best by reading, while others may learn best by listening to a lecture or watching a video. Teachers can provide students with different options for learning the material, such as reading comprehension guides, audio recordings, and video tutorials.

Resilience prepares students for the future not just getting over challenges. I remember preparing students what they'd need in the moment but still think forward beyond what's happening now. Meet students where they're at. meeting students where they are at tells them, "You matter. Your learning style, your pace, your interests — they all matter."

When students are given tasks that align with their abilities, they are more likely to experience success, which in turn boosts their confidence and resilience. Additionally, differentiated instruction allows for personalized feedback and support, enabling students to learn from their mistakes and develop strategies for overcoming challenges. Furthermore, differentiated instruction promotes a growth mindset in students. By emphasizing effort and improvement rather than focusing solely on grades or outcomes, educators can help students develop a belief in their own ability to grow and succeed. This is essential for building resilience as it encourages students to view setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth.