Gifted children require differentiated instructions to progress from what they already know to what they are yet to learn (Winebrenner, 2009). According to Sands and Barker (2004), teachers differentiate instructions by planning the implementation of curriculum and instructions with an understanding that learners differ in various ways. In this case, the complexity of content is varied depending on the ability of a student.
Therefore, the philosophy of differentiation is that a student’s assessment begins before a subject is introduced and continues after the subject ends (Braud, n.d.). Additionally, feedback, from the assessment, should be used to improve the curriculum and the methods of teaching (Braud, n.d.). This essay discusses how assessment and feedback can be used to differentiate instructions in an effort to support multiple intelligences in gifted class.
Assessments refer to tasks assigned to students with the aim of determining the degree to which they have acquired skills and knowledge in a given subject (Curtiss, n.d). This means that assessments determine the extent to which the curriculum has been mastered by students (Winebrenner, 2009).
For gifted students to make positive progress, assessments should be done consistently. Besides, students must be encouraged to develop ways of assessing their independent studies. Assessments are usually done before and after a task. Consequently, there is a pre-assessment and a post-assessment.
In a pre-assessment, teachers strive to find out what students already know. This helps them avoid materials that students are familiar with or methods that are ineffective to students (Winebrenner, 2009). A typical method of performing a pre-assessment is squaring off (Curtiss, n.d). In squaring off, post cards describing the level of knowledge in a given subject are placed at each corner of the classroom. Students are then allowed to move to a corner that conforms to their knowledge on the subject.
On the other hand, a post assessment is undertaken to find out what the students have learned from a given subject (Curtiss, n.d). The most exiting method of performing a post- assessment aimed at differentiating instruction to support multiple intelligences in students is the use of wraparounds (Curtiss, n.d).
In this case, students form a circle where each demonstrates what he had learned in class (Curtiss, n.d). Additionally, the student is required to apply the knowledge from a lesson, illustrate something from it and provide a real life example (Curtiss, n.d).
Providing feedback is one of the surest ways of highlighting progress in a student. Feedback gives a student the opportunity to check with the teacher or a mentor and, therefore, ask questions (Intel, n.d.). Furthermore, feedback enables teachers to improve on their curriculum and teaching methods.
Consequently, teachers are able to further differentiate learning instruction by modifying the five elements of differentiation through feedback. According to Winebrenner (2009), these elements include content, process, product, environment and assessment. A teacher is responsible for teaching student the content. A student who learn the content in less time or already know some of the content, qualifies for differentiate learning (Sands and Barker, 2004).
Sands and Barker (2004) further reaffirm that use of more complex learning materials and learning centers, compacting and use of mentors are some of the ways of differentiating content. The process is the method used by students to make sense of concepts, generalization and required standards (Winebrenner, 2009). Teachers can differentiate the learning process by use of flexible groups and sophisticated research (Winebrenner, 2009).
According to Winebrenner (2009), the product entails the way students illustrate and exhibit their awareness of the content and process. For that reason, teachers differentiate products by allocating useful resources to students and demonstrating how these resources are used.
Lastly, the environment is the physical setting and conditions under which a student learns (Winebrenner, 2009). In this regard, changing the actual place where students learn and allowing students to work with mentors differentiate the learning environment (Winebrenner, 2009).
Surprisingly, in a class, it is the most able rather than the least able who learn less new materials after a given period of time (Winebrenner, 2009). Therefore, fellow teachers should understand that the plight of the gifted students is just as remarkable as that of children who struggle to learn. Interestingly, most gifted children, understand most of the subject matter a teacher teaches (Winebrenner, 2009).
These children, thus, must be excused from work and assignments that are not necessary to them. Winebrenner (2009) states that teachers are not only supposed to teach the content, but also ensure that all students learn new stuff daily. If gifted children complete a task with little or no effort, they may conclude that being smart means doing things easily. Consequently, they may not be able to counter challenges in the future. Differentiation should, therefore, be used to provide them with more challenging tasks (Tillman, 2003).
In conclusion, it is worth noting that assessment and feedback can be used to differentiate instructions in a bid to support multiple intelligences in a gifted class. For that reason, enough attention should be given to gifted children in order to make them productive.
References
Curtiss, C. Creativity and instructional strategies: Differentiating for gifted students in the mixed-ability classroom. Web.
Braud, L. How to assess differentiated instructions. Web.
Intel. Designing effective projects: Project-based to engage students. Teacher and peer feedback. Web.
Sands, D. I. & Barker, H.B. (2004). Organized chaos: Modeling differentiated instructions for preservice teachers. Teaching and learning, 19(1), 26-49. Web.
Tillman, M. (2003). Differentiated instruction – an overview. Web.
Winebrenner, S. (2009). Teaching gifted kids in the regular classroom: Strategies and techniques every teacher can use to meet the academic needs of the gifted and talented. Free Spirit Publishing. Web.