Syllabus
Master of Science in Education
EDU 610: Differentiation Theory and Strategies (Fall 2022)
Credits - 3
Description
This course explores the theories of differentiated instruction and its relationship to neuroscience. Within the course, educators analyze differentiation theories and incorporate differentiation strategies into the design of units and lessons in their own educational settings. Collegial reflection regarding the use of these differentiation strategies as well as reflecting on how differentiation is used to meet the needs of diverse learners will be a major component of the course.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
The student will:
- Learn the ways educators can set up a differentiated and brain-friendly learning environment.
- Discuss and Identify the relationship between the mindsets of educators and learners and the effectiveness of a differentiated learning environment.
- Identify the five major components of a brain-friendly classroom and curriculum.
- Discuss effective practices for assessing learner achievement to inform instruction.
- Identify the ways educators can identify and respond to learner readiness.
- Discuss the importance of the relationship of student interests in the differentiated learning environment.
- Discuss the components of learner profiles and the ways to plan and use them for differentiation.
- Identify strategies for effectively leading learners and managing routines in a differentiated learning environment.
Assignments
- Weekly Discussions
- Each week, you will participate in a discussion with your peers, using the course readings and your own research to support your reasoning.
- Week 1: Bedrock of Differentiation
- Week 2: Effective Mindset
- Week 3: Quality Curriculum Unit
- Week 4: 3 Types of Assessment
- Week 5: Tiered Lesson Assignment
- Week 6: Differentiating Content, Process, and Product
- Week 7: Learner Profile
- Week 8: Differentiation Presentation Assignment
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussions (8 Total) | 23 |
| Week 1 Bedrock of Differentiation Assignment | 9 |
| Week 2 Effective Mindset Assignment | 9 |
| Week 3 Quality Curriculum Unit Assignment | 9 |
| Week 4 3 Types of Assessment Assignment | 9 |
| Week 5 Tiered Lesson Assignment | 9 |
| Week 6 Differentiating Content, Process, and Product Assignment | 9 |
| Week 7 Learner Profile Assignment | 9 |
| Week 8 Differentiation Presentation Assignment | 14 |
| TOTAL | 100 POINTS |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Schedule:
Week 1: Oct 19 – Oct 23
Week 2: Oct 24 – Oct 30
Week 3: Oct 31 – Nov 6
Week 4: Nov 7 – Nov 13
Week 5: Nov 14 – Nov 20
Week 6: Nov 21 – Nov 27
Week 7: Nov 28 – Dec 4
Week 8: Dec 5 – Dec 11
|
Week |
Topic |
Dates |
|
1
|
The Nonnegotiables of Effective Differentiation |
Discussion: Initial Post due by Friday 11:59 PM EST, Responses due by Sunday 11:59 PM EST Assignment: Sunday by 11:59 PM EST |
|
2
|
Mindset, Learning Environment, and Differentiation |
Discussion: Initial Post due by Wednesday 11:59 PM, Responses due by Sunday 11:59 PM Assignment: Sunday by 11:59 PM |
|
3
|
Curriculum and Differentiation |
Discussion: Initial Post due by Wednesday 11:59 PM, Responses due by Sunday 11:59 PM Assignment: Sunday by 11:59 PM |
|
4
|
Assessment and Differentiation |
Discussion: Initial Post due by Wednesday 11:59 PM, Responses due by Sunday 11:59 PM Assignment: Sunday by 11:59 PM |
|
5
|
Differentiating in Response to Learner Readiness |
Discussion: Initial Post due by Wednesday 11:59 PM, Responses due by Sunday 11:59 PM Assignment: Sunday by 11:59 PM |
|
6
|
Differentiating in Response to Learner Interest |
Discussion: Initial Post due by Wednesday 11:59 PM, Responses due by Sunday 11:59 PM Assignment: Sunday by 11:59 PM |
|
7
|
Differentiating in Response to Learner Profiles |
Discussion: Initial Post due by Wednesday 11:59 PM, Responses due by Sunday 11:59 PM Assignment: Sunday by 11:59 PM |
|
8
|
Managing a Differentiated Environment |
Discussion: Initial Post due by Wednesday 11:59 PM, Responses due by FRIDAY 11:59 PM Assignment: FRIDAY by 11:59 PM |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page
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- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
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Information Technology Services (ITS)
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Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
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Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
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The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AI Use
The Graduate Programs in Education holds the position that Grammarly and other AI writing and generative technology should not be used when completing course assignments, unless explicitly permitted by course faculty and assignment instructions. These tools do not support a student’s personal and direct capacity to develop and hone skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing, which are central to graduate-level rigor, assessment, and research. Use of these tools when not explicitly permitted may result in an academic integrity infraction.
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools the University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office. 16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office. The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook. Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course. The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following: Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.Attendance Policy
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
UNE Course Withdrawal
Academic Integrity