One Task, Many Doors: A More Effective Way to Differentiate
About this episode
Michael McDowell discusses effective differentiation strategies that unite the whole class rather than splitting students into small groups.
It’s a mistake to assume that good differentiation always means splitting students up into small groups, says Michael McDowell, an author, coach, and former teacher. A more effective approach, he says, is to design rigorous learning routines that unite the whole class—from fast finishers to kids who need extra support—with shared strategies, structures, and thinking moves. Think: Same surface, different deep problems, much more time in the “we do” space, and a big emphasis on high-quality classroom discussion. In this episode of School of Practice, McDowell breaks down three low-prep differentiation strategies, explains how and when small groups fit into the picture, and makes the case for basketball over ping-pong question protocols. Related resources: Learn more about this episode How to Differentiate Without Splitting Students Up Teaching a Class With Big Ability Differences AI Tool Demo: Differentiating Class Materials With Diffit (video) A Starter Kit for Differentiated Instruction 4 Research-Backed Ways to Differentiate Instruction Actionable Assessment: A Step-by-Step Guide to Responsive Teaching and Student Growth
People in this episode
Host: Edutopia
Guest: Michael McDowell
Topics covered
- differentiation
- education strategies
- classroom discussion
- student support
- teaching methods
Keywords
- differentiation
- learning routines
- classroom strategies
- student engagement
- teaching techniques
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Edutopia
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