Learning On The Job

• Starting with Learning Styles – An introduction to Sternberg’s Three Intelligences: Analytic, Practical, Creative (turns out I’m a mix of analytic and practical). We then looked at differentiating assignments by giving students a choice between three possibilities corresponding with these learning styles. It was an interesting alternative to Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.
• Tiering Lessons – Differentiating lessons by readiness.
• RAFTs: A Differentiated Writing Across the Curriculum Strategy – This was the session I was least excited about going into the conference. However, there was some good stuff that came out of this. I like the RAFT format and am curious to see how I can use it in my classes. This is what I want to try to do before the end of the year in at least one of my classes.
• Applying Readiness Differentiation with Common Strategies – More hands-on example of readiness strategies. A bit repetitive of the second workshop, but good reinforcement of what I’d already learned.

Sandra also showed a graphic (of which I could not get a copy!) in her plenary from Grant Wiggins. It depicted the 3 Ps of assessment – Performance, Progress and Process – in equal proportions. If anybody knows where I can read more about this, I would appreciate a little Link-Love. I am thoroughly intrigued…

To be honest, I was a bit skeptical when this showed up on our school calendar. I certainly didn’t enjoy coming in on a Saturday, especially after a two day mid-week holiday. That said, I learned quite a bit and I hope to utilize some of these strategies into my class in the last 6 weeks of the year. And, as an added bonus, I’m in the process of setting up a school-based wiki to help share differentiation best practices.

Photo – “Be Different” by Vermin Inc