Sometimes Differentiation isn’t the right word for what is going on in an innovative classroom:
Whenever I do a sessions on “Personalization”, I tend to ask folks what the difference between Personalizing FOR students and Personalizing BY students. I believe that this is the heart of why Genius Hour is construct that matters. It is Personalized (and not just differentiated) BY the students.
While I would agree that Genius Hour should look different in different grade levels and different schools (depending on the needs of the students and their readiness to take the reigns), I think that is as far as differentiation can go. Differentiation is still about the teacher orchestrating the environment and the resources so that students can learn. Personalization, to me at least, is about the students having the ownership and the ability to make instructional choices that benefit their learning in ways that the teacher would never be able to anticipate.
via The Ultimate in Differentiation: Genius Hour | Dare to Care.
Ben,
First of all, Wow! how exciting to read about your #C4C15 project. I have missed it so far this year. I love it. Also, congratulations on 365 blog posts and all the learning that occurred with that. Thanks for bringing us along in 2015! (I just made a comment on another blog post. I’ll try to join the conversation more this year!)
Thanks for your comment on my blog post. I certainly like the designation of personalization FOR and BY. Yes, genius hour is definitely personalized by each student who participates. Thanks for the clarification between differentiation and personalization.
I continue to learn something new every day! Thank you for adding to my knowledge.
Warm regards,
Denise
Ben,
First of all, Wow! how exciting to read about your #C4C15 project. I have missed it so far this year. I love it. Also, congratulations on 365 blog posts and all the learning that occurred with that. Thanks for bringing us along in 2015! (I just made a comment on another blog post. I’ll try to join the conversation more this year!)
Thanks for your comment on my blog post. I certainly like the designation of personalization FOR and BY. Yes, genius hour is definitely personalized by each student who participates. Thanks for the clarification between differentiation and personalization.
I continue to learn something new every day! Thank you for adding to my knowledge.
Warm regards,
Denise