Chapter 1


Chapter 1: UbD and DI: An Essential Partnership
    The first chapter explains what Understanding by Design and Differentiated Instruction is. Both are designed to include all students in the learning process and make sure that the classroom environment allows them to succeed. The main premise is the teachers and students having a shared goal. What it takes to get to that goal is a balancing act between what makes one student successful and what makes the whole class successful.  I would like to have more of an explanation of what each one is separately. The author does a good job of explaining them as they relate to each other but it is hard to understand their differences.
I think that using this method of teaching allows the student to feel more involved in their own learning. When a student feels like they have autonomy, I believe, that they are more likely to want to participate in activities and learn. Also, when using Understanding by Design and Differentiated Instruction teachers can really see what benefits their students by having a give and take relationship with them. Teachers should be open to changing what they believe teaching should be. There should be change when it is noticed that some students are falling behind and a good teacher will be able to change their plans to account for the needs of all the students. This does seem like a nearly impossible task because students vary so much but as I read more into this book I am finding that there are ways of designing a classroom that s mutually beneficial to the students and the teacher.


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