In the first chapter of Integrating Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design, Tomlinson and McTighe introduce the reader to the concepts of differentiated instruction and understanding by design. Understanding by design is primarily about the curriculum and its design, while differentiated instruction focuses more on the varied needs of students in order to ensure effective learning. Next, seven axioms and their corollaries are described which are examples of how understanding by design and differentiated instruction go hand-in-hand. Each set of axioms and corollaries contains a real life example. Each example describes how a teacher would best put the axioms and corollaries to use in his or her classroom.
Reflection:
The axioms and corollaries were insightful and the scenarios give the reader a sense of real world importance and effectiveness. They make the reader want to incorporate them all into their teaching. The part that stuck with many of us in group three was in the very last paragraph, where the author lists the characteristics of any professional: that they use they use the most current knowledge in their field, and they meet the individual needs of their clients. I think that is the perfect way to describe what a teacher should be doing. Teachers are professionals and should not just present the information and then leave the students to take it or leave it. These two characteristics of professionals are in essence understanding by design and differentiated instruction when applied to teachers.
Posted by Rebecca
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