During the summer of 2015, I participated in the RET program at the University of Cincinnati. I conducted my research with an electrical engineer researching innovative ways to introduce cryptography to middle and high school students. One day, during a research session, he made a comment that stuck with me. He said, the problem with the students we are getting is not that they can't solve problems, they don't know how to find the problem first. He claimed that while employers appreciate a person who can solve a problem, they are looking for a more autonomous employee, one that can find the problem then solve it without direction.
Over the past few years, I have helped my students determine problems and design solutions through a reflective process. However, I have not given them full rein of their learning. I feel good about the differentiation I provide students through a self-paced four quadrant approach (for more information, check out the presentation our awesome Intervention Specialist, Amy Smart, and I used at the 2017 High AIMS Summer Institute), but still something is missing. After reading George Couros' 8 characteristics of an innovator's mindset (see graphic below), I find that my students will be far more engaged in the work they are doing if they are the problem finders, not just problem solvers.
Carol Ann Tomlinson's five key aspects of differentiated instruction (see below) provides quite a bit of food for thought. As I think about differentiation in my classroom, I would like to focus on responding to students' instructional needs through a problem-finder's approach. I am currently reading Empower and Launch by A.J. Juliani and John Spencer to help facilitate my learning on this topic. Since I teach most of my gifted students in STEM, my fabulous co-teacher, Melanie Carr, and I are planning to conduct passion projects with these students for their 4th quarter project. I will keep you updated on our progress. Wish us luck!!
5 Key Aspects of Differentiated Instruction:
5 Key Aspects of Differentiated Instruction:
- Engaging Learning Environment
- High Quality Curriculum and Clearly Defined Learning Goals
- Ongoing Assessments
- Response to Student's Instructional Needs
- Effective Classroom Management
I so appreciate that you are reflective of your practice, always searching for ways to improve in order to make the experience for your students better, and that you bring all of the colleagues in your sphere of influence along for the ride. Thank you for being a role model in innovation and change. You always push me to consider how to be more flexible and kid oriented and I really appreciate it!
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