{"id":3876,"date":"2026-04-18T00:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T08:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/?p=3876"},"modified":"2026-04-19T07:13:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T15:13:57","slug":"topic-8-differentiated-active-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/2026\/04\/18\/topic-8-differentiated-active-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Topic 8 &#8211; Differentiated Instruction &amp; Active Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Today we will take a closer look at what Differentiated Instruction means in a K-12 classroom, especially when trying to engage learners with as much active learning as possible. In the hands-on portion of today&#8217;s class, you will work on creating instruction, activities, and an evaluation plan that fits into the lesson plan you created last class, and then submit those activities for Assignment 2B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Learning Objectives<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create instructional materials to introduce the lesson topic to your students using at least one educational technology, and explain the \u201cwhy\u201d of the topic or skill.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create or find at least one active learning exercise to use as part of your lesson.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outline how you will determine if the learning objectives you set out for the lesson have been achieved by your learners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start work on Assignment 2 lesson activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Class Time<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Active Learning<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"346\" height=\"264\" src=\"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/06\/forest-school-PKOLS.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4051\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/06\/forest-school-PKOLS.jpeg 346w, https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/06\/forest-school-PKOLS-300x229.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Seseni, Muriel and Rosa at PKOLS looking at plant cards and seeing if they can find any of the plants on their walk.&#8221; &#8211; By Rona Sylvester, <a href=\"https:\/\/wsanecschoolboard.ca\/early-learning-and-care-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 School Board<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>I try to never forget that &#8220;Learning is not a spectator sport!&#8221; Ideally, learners engage in skill development as quickly as possible and for as much time as possible during face-to-face class time. Instruct only as long as necessary for learners to start the hands-on work. When learners get to a point where they need additional information or instruction, continue the instruction at that point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you front-load all the instruction in your class, learners may suffer from cognitive overload and forget key information they will need to be successful in the activity you have planned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Active Learning Method\" width=\"676\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xxVxgQJwV7w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(7 min)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few examples of fun activities that can help language learning in children from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britishcouncil.my\/english\/courses-children\/resources\/fun-activities-that-develop-language-learning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">British Council of Malaysia<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Word games<\/strong>: Expand your children\u2019s vocabulary with word games. It can be as simple as pointing out items at home or during a road trip e.g. \u201cI am now mixing the butter into the batter\u201d or \u201cTall buildings are also called skyscrapers\u201d. You might even give the definition or share background information about these words. Games like Scrabble, Pictionary or a round of Charades also encourage vocabulary development and communication skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jokes<\/strong>: Telling age-appropriate puns will also help foster good humour and creativity in children. This also encourages wordplay and imagination. You can read through kid-friendly joke books and take turns telling witty stories. Avoid being too critical of their gags, speech, or articulation. Instead, model proper pronunciation or grammar by repeating the statement back to them in the correct way e.g. when your child says \u201cI goed so fast!\u201d instead of saying, \u201cThat\u2019s not how you say it\u201d, you can opt to say, \u201cYes, you went so fast!\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Riddles<\/strong>: Riddles are fun ways to use words and paint pictures of scenes or situations. Read or say riddles aloud to each other and explain to your children the different definitions of a single word e.g. school as in a place of learning or school as in a group of fish to help them understand the riddle better.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rhymes<\/strong>: The repetitive chanting, reading, writing, or hearing of rhymes promotes good listening skills and memory retention, aside from developing speech. You can also narrate what you do at home with rhyming words or let your children tell you about their favourite toys using rhyming words.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Homonyms<\/strong>: Promote listening and comprehension skills by playing with words that sound the same but have different meanings. Allow your children to think of words that sound alike and let them try to define each one. This is also a good gauge of how much your children\u2019s vocabulary has expanded and if their understanding of the words is correct.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storytelling<\/strong>: While storybooks provide ample entertainment, sharing stories \u2013 whether real or make-believe \u2013 can provide a good bonding time with your children while helping develop their communication skills. Exchange stories about daily events. Broaden their imagination with fantastical stories and let their creativity grow as you make up stories about anything and everything around them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Songs<\/strong>: Aside from harnessing their musical abilities, songs also help children learn new words. Lyrics have a sense of rhyme and rhythm so it will be easy and entertaining for them to sing along. In addition, simply putting a tune to an activity can be a fun game that you can play with your children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tongue twisters<\/strong>: Tongue twisters are an excellent and fun way to teach children the correct pronunciation and enunciation of words. It is a fun way to train their tongue to pronounce words. Start with simple ones and work your way up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Differentiated Instruction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Differentiating Instruction: It\u2019s Not as Hard as You Think\" width=\"676\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h7-D3gi2lL8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(4 min)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Fundamentally differentiated instruction is used by teachers to respond to differences among the learners in their classroom so that they can all have a positive learning experience. Teachers can differentiate at least four elements in their classroom to achieve this goal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Content<\/strong> &#8211; Create a variety of activities so that beginner learners can start at a comfortable level, and more advanced learners can have activities to challenge and engage them. Different modalities can also be used for instruction as well (text, audio, video, etc.).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Process<\/strong> &#8211; Vary the length of time for different learners to complete tasks based on need. Using individual or group work is another way to modify the process to meet the needs of learners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Products<\/strong> &#8211; Different modalities can also be used for both instruction and active learning results. Allowing students to work in groups of varying abilities so that they can act as peer support or mentors. Allowing students to create their own projects while meeting learning objectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Learning environment<\/strong> &#8211; Try to create different places in your room for learners to work without distraction.  Work to develop a culture where peer support is the norm so that if you cannot help a learner immediately, they feel comfortable asking for and giving peer support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2022\/06\/3d-design-workshop-activities-900x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3892\" style=\"width:469px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2022\/06\/3d-design-workshop-activities-900x1024.png 900w, https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2022\/06\/3d-design-workshop-activities-264x300.png 264w, https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2022\/06\/3d-design-workshop-activities-768x874.png 768w, https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2022\/06\/3d-design-workshop-activities-600x683.png 600w, https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2022\/06\/3d-design-workshop-activities-945x1075.png 945w, https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2022\/06\/3d-design-workshop-activities.png 1306w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Screenshot by <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/richmccue.com\" target=\"_blank\">Rich McCue<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the skills-based workshops I teach in the library, I always try to provide a range of activities so that formative learners can be comfortable with an activity, and a different activity can comfortably challenge advanced learners. In both cases they are working towards competency, however, the advanced learner may achieve mastery sooner given their starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hands-on Time &#8211; Assignment 2B<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For the rest of the class, please work on <a href=\"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/assignment-2-lesson-plan\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"215\">Assignment 2B &#8211;  Lesson Activity<\/a> (and any other parts of the assignment that you haven&#8217;t finished yet).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today we will take a closer look at what Differentiated Instruction means in a K-12 classroom, especially when trying to engage learners with as much active learning as possible. In the hands-on portion of today&#8217;s class, you will work on&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/2026\/04\/18\/topic-8-differentiated-active-learning\/\">Continue Reading &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3878,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rich"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3876"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4339,"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3876\/revisions\/4339"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3878"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edtechuvic.ca\/ied336\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}