Understanding the Necessity of a Differentiated Teaching Method

Understanding the Necessity of a

Differentiated Teaching Method

By Jessica Esqueda

COM 150

October 03, 2010

Understanding The Necessity of a Differentiated Teaching Method

For generations, educators have taught to the middle using a one-size-fits-all method. This is no longer acceptable. Faced with the challenge of teaching to today’s diversified classrooms, it becomes necessary for competent teachers to form a teaching style of their own. While there are many different teaching and learning styles, a differentiated teaching style is most effective when it comes to the successful education of students.

When attempting to understand the relationship between teaching and learning styles, it is important to first understand the aspects of the major teaching styles. According to Anthony Grasha, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Cincinnati, there are five accepted teaching methods. According to Indiana State University (2010), “Anthony Grasha identified the following five teaching styles as description of prevalent aspects of faculty presence in the classroom” (Grasha’s 5 Teaching Styles, para. 1). The first method of teaching discussed by Grasha is the Expert method. These educators are primarily concerned with ensuring that students are well prepared while maintaining their status as an expert. While the use of this method allows for the transference of information between teacher and students (Indiana State University, 2010), “knowledge and information can be overused and intimidating” (Grasha, 1996).

Another teaching style is the Formal Authority method. Educators who use the Formal Authority teaching method are primarily concerned with providing feedback and establishing rules of conduct and academic goals for students to achieve. While this teaching style provides students with the structure they need to learn most efficiently, it can also lead to rigid, standardized thought processes among students (Indiana State University,...