Introducing differentiation  in the CCB's middle years programme

Source:

Resources for Differentiation-  Orbital studies

https://resources-for-differentiation.wikispaces.com/Orbital+Study

Authority:

Carol Ann Tomlinson

Accuracy:

The article touches general concepts and talks about how they are usually treated buy all of us, its accuracy relies on the use of different terms and specific concepts; in spite of this, the source is not very accurate.

Currency:

7th of April 2010

Bias:

The article feels slightly biased towards using this type of differentiation in teaching, it talks about how it is best to differentiate instead of regular teaching; however, it does not mention any arguments against differentiated learning.

Summary:

The article is written by segments, these being the following: what are orbital studies, how do you assess it, and common misconceptions. They develop each of these topics in small paragraphs, it is not very extensive though.

Source:

TeachHUB- Differentiated instruction strategies using tiered assignments

http://www.teachhub.com/differentiated-instruction-strategies-using-tiered-assignments

Authority:

Janelle Cox

Accuracy:

This article is very accurate as it talks about different things concerning differentiation, what it is and how it works. Moreover, the article gives us insight into what teaching with these methods is like and how are teachers supposed to do it. Also it provides a great set of tips and sequential way in which a teacher could differentiate.

Currency:

September 2015

Bias:

This article is not biased. We may confirm this because it talks about how only a portion of the teaching community use differentiated lessons. It doesn’t only mention tiering, but also flexible grouping, scaffolding and other differentiation techniques.

Summary:

The article explains the concept of tiering by using other concepts, meaning that you begin by being introduced into what differentiated learning is, then you learn about other types of differentiation and finally you get to tiering. Tiering is described in the article in stages, it begins b explaining what tiering is, then it tells us how to tier (many methods one could use), results obtained by using tiered assignments, and finally it tells us about making tiers invisible.

 

Source:

LDschool- Tiered approaches to teaching students with learning disabilities

http://ldatschool.ca/literacy/tiered-approaches-to-the-education-of-students-with-learning-disabilities/

Authority:

Kyle Robinson and Dr. Nancy L. Hutchinson

Accuracy:

This is by far one of the most accurate articles in all of my investigation. It’s reliability is unquestionable, most of its arguments and written material is corroborated by extensive research papers which I have also used and read. The language used in the article is precise and it employs a constant use of knowledge terminology and concepts.

Currency:

6th of August 2014

Bias:

The article might be very focused towards differentiation, but it is not biased. Everything in the article is posed as a conclusion or an interpretation from previous research papers and published articles talking about research on this field.

Summary:

The article talks about how tiered approaches may help students with difficulties on the classroom. Most aspects are covered in the article as it talks about everything one should know when talking about using tiered instruction as a method to help students who are currently struggling. In the article we may find how RTI (tiered approach to intervention) works, research supporting that RTI works, resources for teachers and an extensive bibliography.

 

Source:

The Glossary of Education Reform

http://edglossary.org/personalized-learning/

Authority:

Great Schools Partnership

Accuracy:

The website from which I extracted this information is regarded as an official and reliable organization. The information is provided by the global school association. Furthermore, all the information presented I the website is accounted for and has evidence to back it up.

Currency:

14th of April 2015

Bias:

It is safe to say that the article is not biased, whatsoever. In the webpage one may see multiple types of differentiation if not all of the most important ones, pros and cons of each type of differentiation and regular way of teaching, and at the end there is a section which talks about the debate on differentiation; meaning we get to see both sides of the issue.

Summary:

The article talks about differentiation in general and types in which it can be used to teach students and improve their learning experience. At the beginning we see the definition of personalized learning and some synonyms used to refer to the same concept, then the article tackles a variety of topics related to this type of instruction: how we use it, where it is most commonly used, how can we use it, types of differentiation, benefits of this type of instruction, the debate on whether it’s effective or not, and ways in which teachers and schools use it. These are the main concepts viewed in this source.

 

Source:

Tiering to avoid tears: Developing assignments that address all learners' needs

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/every-learner/6680

Authority:

LINDA PIGOTT ROBINSON

Accuracy:

This source is incredibly thorough and accurate, we can see the evidence provided for each thing said or every opinion expressed, it is filled with useful and proven arguments and tips to differentiate using tiering. The source uses a language with multiple concepts that make reference to specific knowledge sectors and explains them efficiently and in a detailed manner.

Currency:

2010

Bias:

This source is part of a serious and official work on differentiation. Every argument and suggestion written in the article is corroborated by evidence. We may say that the article is slightly biased towards using tiering as the main method to differentiate; in spite of that, the source is still being a very complete and enriching piece on the topic.

Summary:

This is a segment of a bigger work on differentiation written by Linda Pigott Robinson, this segment talks about why tiered classes and assignments should be used, how they should be used and what tiering is all about. The article gives us a very clear idea of what tiering is and how it works. We also receive guides and platforms to design classes using tiering on different areas of focus.

 

Source:

DreamBox Learning

http://www.dreambox.com/blog/personalized-learning-benefit-students

Authority:

DreamBox_Learn

Accuracy:

In terms of accuracy this article sets high standards. It presents specific arguments and accounts which are backed up using evidence collected from historical records and research documents. Furthermore, the article has an image which gives us highly informative statistics and comparisons.

Currency:

September 24th, 2013

Bias:

We may say that the source is biased in the sense that it supports using differentiation as a way of replacing traditional learning and not as a way of complimenting it, therefore the whole article tries to make us believe that usual education is an old-fashioned concept which has been proven wrong.

Summary:

The article starts by talking about the history of education and how it has changed throughout the ages, then when it reaches the 21st century the article starts talking about education nowadays and the course it should take from now and so forth. Completing this idea, the article provides a diagram which has multiple statistics and proven facts comparing various aspects between traditional learning and differentiated learning.

 

Source:

Methods of Differentiation in the Classroom

http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/MethodsofDifferentiationintheClassroom.aspx

 Authority:

Not specified

Accuracy:

It is safe to say that the source is reliable and accurate. This is because the BBC is a recognized media company and it posts official and proven information only. Furthermore, BBC active is a program created by the BBC to help with education, meaning that everything which is posted by this branch of the British company may be considered reliable and accurate.

Currency:

Not specified, copyright set in 2010

Bias:

The information provided by the source is unbiased, we see an impartial presentation of information amongst other things the article shows.

Summary:

We get a definition of what student differentiation is and what the whole concept is about. After this we get introduced into the three areas of dividing students in multileveled groups. Finally we see some ways in which differentiation can be made based on the student’s needs and prefernces.

 

Source:

Interviewing Matthew Bradbury, Student in the United Kingdom

Authority:

Santiago Ordoñez (me), Matthew Bradbury

Accuracy:

In the interview we touch topics which are about experience, and what the program’s flaws and benefits are. Matthew talks very extensively about these things. We may say the source is reliable as he talks based on experience and knowledge, but it is not as reliable as an actual written or published article.

Currency:

January 2016

Bias:

Matthew argue both side of the idea and for both benefits a problems present in the system. He places himself in the position of any type of student, not taking a defined position as a type of student but as an impartial person who has experienced learning through this course.

Summary:

In the interview we talk about what the system in the UK is, how it works, why is the system good and which flaws does it have, as well as his personal opinion on what students may feel like when learning through this methodology.

 

Source:

Patricia Escobar, academic coordinator in the CCB and head of batch

Authority:

Santiago Ordoñez (me), Patricia Escobar

Accuracy:

Mrs. Patricia has had years of experience in teaching, she has been head of primary, batch and headmaster for some time. Furthermore, she is the school’s academic coordinator meaning she has had to deal with topics concerning education and teaching philosophies. However, the most important aspect when talking about accuracy is that she has been studying differentiation for a long time; consequently, she knows very well the terms and types of differentiation nowadays.

Currency:

February 2016

Bias:

Mrs. Patricia has the school’s perspective and her own to consider, this makes her opinion very important. Considering the previous statement, I would say that Mrs. Patricia as a source is slightly biased towards her own opinion, but this is minimized by her obligation to the school.

Summary:

See entry in inquiry 2 in the investigation and progress page.

 

Source:

Eleanor Cosh, MYP coordinator in the CCB

Authority:

Santiago Ordoñez (me), Mrs. Eleanor Cosh

Accuracy:

As the person in charge of the MYP in the CCB she has a very broad knowledge on how education works, as well as differentiation. Furthermore, Mrs. Cosh has had experience with tiering and advanced placement before, she introduced this system in math and English in primary section when she worked there, meaning that she provided accurate and useful information on the topics.

Currency:

 January 2016

Bias:

Mrs. Cosh is fully impartial when it comes to making decisions and advice, this is because she is the MYP coordinator and the person in charge of the personal project activity, this makes her have no unfairly based opinion on any subject treated.

Summary:

See inquiry 2 Entry

 

Source:

Concordia Portland Online

http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/teaching-strategies/examples-of-differentiated-instruction/

Authority:

 Cathy Weselby in Teaching Strategies

Accuracy:

The article has a large bibliography and talks about concepts necessary to understand differentiated learning. We may say it’s reliable as the information was provided by an educational site with a trustworthy domain: edu.

Currency:

 1st of October 2014

Bias:

The article appears to be biased at first; however, after one reaches the end it is easy to notice that the article is not. There is a discussion listing all the pros and cons that may appear when using this system of differentiation.

Summary:

The article starts by talking about how differentiation works, what it is, and how it might help students. Afterwards we get introduced into differentiation’s history and its origins, then the author proceeds to tell us how to differentiate based on various aspects. To conclude, as mentioned previously, we get a list of benefits and consequences of using differentiation.

 

 

Source:

DI Bailey

http://www.slideshare.net/CeciliaRice/di-bailey-46779578

Authority:

 Cecilia Lemon

Accuracy:

The article has a large bibliography and talks about concepts necessary to understand differentiated learning. We may say it’s reliable as the information was provided by an educational site with a trustworthy domain: edu.

Currency:

 1st of October 2014

Bias:

The article appears to be biased at first; however, after one reaches the end it is easy to notice that the article is not. There is a discussion listing all the pros and cons that may appear when using this system of differentiation.

Summary:

The article starts by talking about how differentiation works, what it is, and how it might help students. Afterwards we get introduced into differentiation’s history and its origins, then the author proceeds to tell us how to differentiate based on various aspects. To conclude, as mentioned previously, we get a list of benefits and consequences of using differentiation.

 

 

Source:

What is tiering?

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/15815

Authority:

 Anne Hawkins, Mary-Elizabeth Robinson, Melodie Hunsberger, atudents

Accuracy:

The video is very accurate in terms of practice and experience, it shows class planning and ways in which one can divide a classroom using tiering. Furthermore, the website is reliable and the fact the video takes place in various schools makes it all the more trustworthy.

Currency:

August 2010

Bias:

The video seems inclined towards using differentiation in the classroom, specially tiering. However, all of this is proven by previous results and other types of research within the schools.

Summary:

In the video we may see how a group of teachers discuss tiered classes and activities as a type of differentiation. We get a definition of tiering and practical applications of this method; furthermore, there is a segment where the teachers show how they tiered in that school.