7 Play-based approaches and differentiation
Differentiation is an approach to teaching and learning popularised by American academic Carol A. Tomlinson (2014). The key features of differentiated instruction can be summarised as “a way of thinking about teaching” that:
- is student-focused,
- incorporates teacher knowledge of individual student’s learning preferences in conjunction with curriculum content,
- establishes clear and substantive learning goals,
- closely observes students and their learning processes to identify their skills and needs, and
- make appropriate adjustments in the learning context.
These key features of differentiated instruction align well with a play-based approach in classrooms. Play-based approaches differentiate the process of learning because students choose how they work on a specific concept by selecting experiences available to them. Therefore, making it possible to work at their own levels of proficiency. The guidance and interactions used by teachers during play are important so that learning experiences can be adjusted in response to individual student’s interests, strengths, and learning needs. Adjustments might include the type of role that teachers have in student’s play.
For example, a student may benefit from more complex methods of inquiry, hypothesising, and discovery to enhance their learning in play. One way of doing this occurs when teachers provide more opportunities for collaborative learning with peers. In contrast, other students may require teachers to provide them with more explicit instruction, direction, and questioning to guide their learning during play. In play-based experiences, being responsive to student strengths and interests provides a meaningful source for differentiated teaching and learning strategies.
Read, look, or listen
Play the video (3:00) below that shares the experiences of a primary school teacher. Elise talks about how she uses play-based learning to support the learning and development of all learners. As you watch the interactive video, think about Elise’s comments in relation to:
- knowing children’s individual interests, and
- adjustments to teaching strategies.
