UBD Chapter 9

    In this chapter the main focus was on differentiated instruction and backwards design and how all of that fit into specific learners and the classroom. The chapter discusses the importance of identifying whether or not the student has understood the concepts. Using the differentiated instruction is a way for the teachers to address various learners in a way that best fits their needs. Also it is important for the teacher to decide what is considered "evidence of a students understanding." And does that mean it is different for each student based on their MI? This chapter states that "those teachers who use the backward learning design and differentiated instruction are concerned about the various learners in the classrooms and how much they understand"(142). However, that does not mean teachers who do not use differentiated instruction as a major component of their classroom don't care about the students, but it may just mean they aren't going to individualize all of the work in the classroom to a certain MI.

    Maybe it's that times have changed in education, even within the past few years since I've been out of high school but students are not always going to be given assignments that best fit their learning style and as much as it seems like it would benefit each student if every lesson or assignment related to how they learn that isn't always going to be possible in education. Yes, it is us up to the teacher to present the information and curriculum in a way that the students understand it but I don't feel that differentiated instruction is always a realistic strategy. Our generation and generations before us were all taught the same thing one way, our generation was given more of a choice, but nonetheless it is a lot more different even in the few years that I have been out of the school. Now technology is the major component in schools and it seems less helpful than if we just ran our classrooms the way we used to. Technology has become a distraction to students that doesn't benefit their understanding, unless you the teacher can you it effectively and even then it's not always possible. Students are more focused on checking their phone and iming their friends, etc. that while their at school it's more of a socialization time rather than being used to learn. This is where I feel like maybe with differentiated instruction may help students focus however, it shouldn't have to be this way. Students should just focus because it's their job. They are required to go to school for six hours a day, five days a week for a one hundred and eighty days. That's just how it is. Sometimes I perceive differentiated instruction as a way of getting away from school work and making everything fun. School should be fun, yes, but I think your only teaching students that they will be able to do things in a fun way or they will choose not to do it and ultimately that is not sending them a good message or preparing them for life.