Preparing Students For The Ohio Graduation Test Using A Differentiated Strategy Article

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Preparing Students for the Ohio Graduation Test Using a Differentiated Strategy

Teachers should match their methods of preparing students for the OGT to each student's background.

Author: Susan Bond

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Teachers who are preparing students for the Ohio Graduation Test have a lot of responsibility. Students come to the preparation process for the Ohio Graduation Test with different backgrounds, characteristics, and learning styles. Using a differentiation strategy is one way to tailor learning for individual students to help them succeed.

Differentiation Defined

Differentiation is a process by which teachers manage the learning process by matching what students bring to instruction and assessment to methods that optimize successful learning. Differentiation uses a strategy that allows all students, regardless of the background or characteristics, to have easy entry points to learning, provides appropriate learning tasks, and shapes outcomes tailored to the students' needs. Teachers have the option differentiating content, process or product.

Differentiation of Content

Differentiation of content deals with changing material used to deliver course information. In preparing students for the Ohio Graduation Test using a differentiated content method a teacher might use tactics that has some students writing out information to meet a course objective while other students must research and use outside sources of information to make a point. Students with different skill sets can use the method appropriate to their learning profile.

Differentiation of Process

Differentiation of process means that teachers will employ a strategy of letting students access the content in different ways. Some students may be taken through the material in a very deliberate step-by-step method while other students may explore content on their own. Another tactic might have some students working individually, while others are arranged in groups to use collective problem solving methods.

Differentiation of Product

Differentiation of product refers to the end product the student produces to demonstrate that they have mastered the content. Examples of this could be when one student may have to deliver an oral report while another student provides a multimedia presentation. All of these tactics take into account the individual students' learning characteristics.

Why Use Differentiation Tactics?

When preparing students for the Ohio Graduation Test, using differentiation tactics is initiated in response to a students' readiness, interest, and their learning profile. Readiness takes into account the students skill level and background. Interest refers to what motivates the student to master a new content area. The students' learning profile is how the student learns—whether it be visually, auditory, or kinesthetic. Environmental factors such as working space or noise levels are also important considerations.

All of these factors are considered when a teacher differentiates. When a teacher wants to best prepare their students as individuals for the Ohio Graduation Test, they should take into account the students differences and develop a differentiation strategy that best suits each student.

About Author

Susan Bond is a part of http://www.IQ-ity.com - provider of a top-rated Learning Management System for schools seeking to teach courses online. IQity's LMS includes an online study guide for the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT). Ohio teachers can also add a product review of OGT practice tools at www.ogtpractice.org

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Preparing Students for the Ohio Graduation Test Using a Differentiated Strategy