Browse and purchase learning resources, which includes digital and educational textbooks.
Browse our range of eBooks.
Introducing the fast and easy way to shop. Simply enter your ISBN (unique product code) and checkout.
Support your child's learning in Literacy, Maths, Science, History, Geography & more.
Find the resources you need to excel in Maths, Science, English, History, Geography & more.
We have all your university resources as well as MyLab, Mastering and eText access codes.
Vocational & TAFE resources including building & construction, plumbing, electrical and more.
Check out our extensive range of ELT resources for anyone at any age.
F-6 school resources for the Australian Curriculum.
Secondary teaching resources for the Australian Curriculum (and for NSW).
Professional development courses; topical workshops; and conferences for all educators.
Browse our extensive range of educational products, resources and services.
VET teaching resources developed for a range of Australian Quality Training Framework Packages.
Discover the comprehensive range of Pearson ELT resources by downloading the new 2018 catalogues.
Content covering technology, innovation and new strategies for teaching and learning.
Content aimed at empowering teachers with insights, strategies and tools.
Stories, insights and tools for supporting student development and learning.
Tools, insights and topics relevant to leaders and managing people.
A selection of the most interesting updates from across the Pearson network.
Sign up to our monthly email today.
We're brave, imaginative, decent and accountable. These are the core values that drive everything we do.
Learn about how we are putting great digital tools to good use.
Learn why everything we do is working towards measurable learning outcomes.
Our leadership team is made up of talented and passionate learning experts.
The world’s learning company, with more than 30,000 employees in over 70 countries.
Learning defines our company purpose and is itself a social purpose. Hear about how we're making a difference.
Are you as passionate about learning as we are? Then explore current vacancies at Pearson Australia.
Stay abreast of the latest trends in education through our blog and social media channels.
We’re here to celebrate the role teachers play in inspiring students and shaping their successes, from the classroom to graduation to employment and beyond.
We are currently experiencing intermittent page load issue. The cause is under investigation and we are working to resolve it as a priority. You can contact our customer service team via email at customer.service@pearson.com.au for any urgent queries. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
You are here: Pearson Australia Home Insights and News Supporting Students Differentiated learning: supporting students of all abilities
Student learning can be influenced by a number of factors: gender, culture, disabilities, socio-economic status, comfort level, or a combination of the above. Finding a way to help each student in your classroom learn may be a challenge – but it’s not impossible.
Some students excel at sports, others at language, or maths. Some come into the classroom with confidence, others bring learning anxiety. Many will be novice learners, while others will display academic excellence at every turn. This is not a new phenomenon – it’s common knowledge that students are different, as are their learning needs. This diversity in student learning should not just be tolerated, it should be celebrated.
Differentiated instruction involves responding specifically – and with flexibility – to what students know. It involves changing the way the curriculum is presented to suit each student, rather than setting lessons in stone. It means providing multiple ways for pupils to learn new content, make sense of new ideas, and prove their understanding.
Australia is home to more than 200 different languages and approximately one student in every four is learning English as an additional language (EAL). But the diversity doesn’t stop there. A recent national audit revealed that 19.4 percent of Australian students have a disability or learning difficulty. Students who have been diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, non-verbal learning disability (NLD), autism, language disorder or auditory processing difficulties are all represented by this statistic. It’s important to note that 65.9 percent of children with disabilities (aged 5-14) attend regular classes in mainstream schools. This means it’s common for all teachers, not just special education teachers, to encounter students with disabilities and language difficulties.
In the last 10 years, there has also been an increase in primary school students presenting with high levels of anxiety. And let’s not forget our gifted learners – yet another group of students who require tailored tuition.
This data shows that a typical Australian classroom must be able to accommodate a range of learning needs and abilities. Whether a student presents with a language disorder or has recently immigrated to the country, it falls to teachers to move each of their students forward in their learning. This is a huge responsibility – and no easy task. It’s one thing to believe in differentiated learning, but how does one deliver differentiated instruction?
Differentiated teaching starts with getting to know your students – their prior knowledge, strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. Once you have this information, student needs can be incorporated during the lesson planning process.
So how can you identify the areas where your students are struggling the most? Using an accurate and easy-to-use clinical assessment like WRAT-5 allows you to determine the academic level of your students. It can be used to assess and monitor reading, spelling, and math skills, and can help identify possible learning disorders. This type of early intervention allows for differentiated instruction to begin because once you know what your students know, you can tailor your pedagogy to their needs.
Results from the first round of tests can be used as a benchmark for future testing, creating a way for you to measure each student’s progress. Tracking student learning will enable you to keep delivering differentiated instruction, and set you well on your way to improving learning for your students.
This article is part of the Mind the Gap initiative, aimed at supporting student wellbeing to improve learning outcomes. For more information about supporting your special education or classroom teachers with effective assessment tools like WRAT-5, please feel free to contact our Consultant Psychologist Madeline Armstrong.
Classroom instruction must centre on social and emotional skills.
Learn more about what you can do if you suspect a child needs help.
Examining the differentiating qualities that make clinicians truly great.
Three teachers share their experiences of the active learning strategies.
What you can learn from young people to help prevent cyberbullying.