What’s The Difference Between Differentiation And Personalized Learning?

by TeachThought Staff

The difference between differentiation, personalized learning, and the individualization of learning sometimes seems like a matter of semantics, but that could be that terms are used interchangeably when they’re actually not the same.

The biggest difference really is the starting point. Personalized learning starts with the learner first, where differentiation and individualization take something designed for masses and attempt to adapt it for individuals–a monumental task to consistently do well.

This chart from  Barbara Bray and Kathleen McClaskey clarifies some of the other differences.