Traditional Classroom vs.

Differentiated Classroom
Traditional Classroom

All students need to learn the same

information
Instruction is teacher led, not student
centered

Key Features in a Traditional Classroom

All students working on the same task
All students expected to learn in the same
manner
Responsibility for learning lies with the
teacher

Differentiated Classroom

All students have strengths

Instruction should be in response to them
Help students engage and take responsibility
in their learning

Key Features in a DI classroom:

Choice
Flexible Grouping
Shared Responsibility for Learning

Topics are chosen by the teacher

Connect interests to topic of study

Information is typically presented in one way

(orally, visually, written)
No choice is provided to students in how
they obtain the information

Learning Styles Considered (Multiple

Intelligences)
How students process learning
How we prefer to acquire, process and
remember information

All students complete the same

assessments
No choice is provided in alternate
activities/tasks

Use of choice boards for student assessment

students choose how they want to present
their learning and knowledge.
an alternate opportunity to show what they
know in a way that is meaningful to the
student

Learning Centres are not typically used

Teacher Directed instruction, usually the
teacher lecturing, the students
listening/writing information

Centres (Multiple activities to learn similar

material in a variety of ways)

Students are not prompted to reflect on their

own knowledge or learning preferences.
Low interest levels from students
Lack of intrinsic motivation towards learning

Students are aware of their learning

preferences (self-awareness)
Students interest increases when choice is
offered
Students confidence increases when they are
successful at a task