I started my webinar with a short video about differentiated instruction. I have a feeling there are many teachers who have had similar conversations at one time or another or can relate to how the character feels.
One point made in the video was that in a leveled class, there should not be a need to differentiate. In a beginning world language class, most students are leveled as they are just beginning their study in the language, and conventional wisdom would suggest that we do not need to differentiate. However, I take a slightly different view. Howard Gardner described people as having "multiple intelligences" which I interpret as people having different learning styles. Some people are primarily visual learners, others are auditory, while others are kinesthetic, for example. When I teach, I try to incorporate teaching that addresses major learning styles. In addition, I believe it is important to understand and adjust teaching to accommodate different learning styles.
Different learning styles...
I am a copious note-taker. I have to write it down in order to remember it. Lectures, seminars, even the pastor's sermon. I have notebooks full of sermon notes, as a matter of fact...writing things down help me to It really drives me nuts if teachers tell me to put my pencil and paper away and not take notes, because that is how I am able to retain and comprehend what I am hearing. On the other hand, I have a daughter that needs to draw or make things with her hands. She listens and understands what's going on in class, but her hands need to be moving, creating, in order for her to learn. Finally, I have another daughter that relates best to music and movement. She remembers things through song, and if you add in movement, that will even further increase her retention. I see this also in my classroom, with some students that don't ever take notes, while others (like me) ask to take notes. I have students that love learning songs, and others who really don't enjoy the songs. Anyhow, how does one adapt to so many learning styles? Ah, that's the challenge. I'm still working on it. It's definitely a work in process. However, it helps to realize that there are different learning styles, and I know that helps me be a more compassionate and understanding teacher.
Accessing the presentation...
I created a PowerPoint presentation including examples of my students' work for different cultural projects. You can access the PowerPoint presentation HERE.