Teachers align units and lessons to instructional outcomes, and design coherent instruction that reflects an understanding and appreciation of their students. Effective instruction emphasizes thinking and problem-based learning, permits student choice and initiatives, and encourages depth rather than breadth in learning. After assessing student knowledge, teachers should be deliberate in aligning instruction with those abilities. Charlotte Danielson (2007) states, " Activities and assignments that promote learning tend to share certain characteristics: (1) they emphasize thinking and problem-based learning; (2) they permit student choice and initiative; and (3) they encourage depth rather than breadth (p. 58). 

In this course, you will design instruction that aligns with students’ ability levels by employing various strategies, resources, and research-based techniques that engage students in their learning.

Topic A: Mindsets of Learning

Topic B: Ability-Based Instruction

Topic C: Strategies to Align Instruction to Student Abilities

Course Outcomes:

• Examine the qualities of fixed mindset and growth mindset learners.
• Analyze the various aspects of self-efficacy and how self-efficacy impacts motivation.
• Discover Ability-Based Instruction and Zone of Proximal Development and select ways to incorporate them into instruction.
• Assess several strategies and determine which are most effective for your students based on their abilities.