What is the Zone of Proximal Development?
It’s a challenge for teachers to keep track of all of their students’ exact levels of performance at all times. Still, it’s important information for teachers to have in order to deliver appropriate instruction. Knowing students’ levels helps teachers determine their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The ZPD refers to a student’s academic “sweet spot” […]
Universal Design for Learning vs. Differentiation
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI) both exist to address the varying needs of students. They serve the same root function, and are often confused with one another. Some professionals even use the two terms interchangeably. But UDL and DI are actually completely different things. They may look similar in action, but […]
Differentiating Online Teaching
Lots of remote teachers are struggling with how to support their learners who think differently. It’s one challenge to try to meet a wide range of needs when students are in front of you in the classroom. It’s an entirely different hurdle when you aren’t even in the same room. But there are still simple […]
Supporting Students at Every Academic Level
In every classroom, there are students at all ability levels: right on or around grade level, significantly above grade level, and significantly below grade level. It can be challenging to address a sea full of different needs, levels, interests, and learning styles all at once. Attempting to address them all in one lesson, or even in […]
Differentiating Instruction 101
Are you a passionate educator? Join our team and become a Braintrust tutor today! A lot of people misunderstand the term “differentiation.” Some parents (and even teachers) believe that differentiation means giving some students a different curriculum than their peers. Some people even think it means “to dumb down.” Nothing about differentiation should ever involve […]
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