Teachers’ approach to differentiation

Abstract

This research aims to study the use of differentiation strategies used by the teachers in the primary schools and how they are being implemented in the three local state schools selected. Also the study explores the role of the Heads of schools in the encouragement and promotion of differentiation strategies in the classrooms. The dissertation tries to replicate another thesis written by Lisa Darmenia and Maria Vella in 2004, titled Differentiation: Teachers’ Perceptions and Classroom Practise: A Study of Three Local State Schools. The research studies if the use of differentiation is being implemented in the classrooms to cater for mixed abilities. In order to cater for mixed abilities the teachers have to know the strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes of the students to use different strategies that capture the interests of every student. Throughout this research a multi-method approach was used. The data was collected through three research tools; questionnaires, observations and interviews where they were analysed cautiously and compared with the thesis done in 2004. The teachers alleged that they feel pressured when it comes to cater for mixed abilities since in the classrooms there are many children with different level of abilities.