What is an essential characteristic of differentiated instruction?

Differentiated instruction is fundamentally about recognizing and responding to the diverse needs, skills, and interests of students in the classroom. One of its essential characteristics is the adjustment of teaching methods, resources, and assessments according to the varying strengths and challenges of each student. This approach allows educators to provide a more personalized learning experience, helping each learner to access the curriculum in a way that best suits their individual capabilities.

Implementing differentiated instruction can involve modifying instructional strategies, offering various types of content, adjusting the pace of learning, or providing different forms of assessment. Such tailored approaches create a more inclusive classroom environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their starting point. This method contrasts sharply with uniform teaching strategies or limiting the curriculum to only certain learners, which would not address the unique needs of all students.