Differentiation & Flexibility
As a Yipiyap tutor, you’re likely to encounter students with different needs, abilities, and learning styles. Whether you're working one-to-one, with small groups, or in a classroom, being able to adapt is key. Two essential skills that will help you manage this are differentiation and flexibility. In this article, we’ll break down what these terms mean and how you can apply them to your tutoring role.
Differentiation: Tailoring Your Teaching
Differentiation, a concept popularised by Carol Ann Tomlinson (educator and author), focuses on adapting your teaching materials so all students can benefit from them.
It’s not always about changing the content, but about changing how you teach it. Whether your students are high achievers or need extra support, differentiation allows you to meet them where they are. In tutoring, differentiation can be broken down into four key areas: content, process, product, and learning environment.
The Four Key Areas of Differentiation
1. CONTENT
The first step in differentiation is addressing what your students are learning. Some students may already have a strong grasp of the material, while others may be completely unfamiliar. For example, when helping a group prepare for a maths exam, you might find that some are confident with algebra but struggle with geometry. You could then split the group, focusing on revisiting algebra with some and introducing new geometry concepts to others.
Example: Alex, a Yipiyap tutor, realised that his small group had varying levels of understanding of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. He divided the lesson into two parts: while some students discussed the basic plot (targeting remembering and understanding), the more advanced students worked on analysing the characters in depth (targeting analysis and evaluation from Bloom’s Taxonomy). This way, everyone felt challenged at their level.
2. PROCESS
Each student processes information differently. When planning your sessions, think about how you can present the material in different ways to suit different learners. For instance, when covering the water cycle in a geography lesson, you could show a diagram, talk through the process, and then use a hands-on experiment to represent it.
Example: Priya, a science tutor, knew that her small group had diverse learning styles. She used textbooks and videos to explain concepts for visual learners and engaged kinaesthetic learners with a simple water cycle experiment. By addressing different styles, she ensured that each student grasped the material.
3. PRODUCT
This refers to what students produce to show they have understood the lesson. Differentiation means offering them various ways to demonstrate their learning. In a history lesson, some students might enjoy writing a report, while others might prefer creating a presentation.
Example: When tutoring a Year 10 history group, Zara gave her students a choice. Some presented an oral report on World War I, while others produced mind maps or essays. This approach catered to each student's strengths while still covering the same learning objectives.
4. LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The classroom or learning environment can impact how students engage. Differentiation may involve creating spaces for different types of learning. In a one-to-one setting, this could mean adjusting the setting to ensure the student feels comfortable and focused. In a small group session, you could create designated areas for different activities, like one space for collaborative discussions and another for independent work.
Example: Liam, a Yipiyap tutor, noticed that one of his one-to-one students, Ellie, found it hard to concentrate in noisy environments. To adapt, he asked her to choose a quieter spot in the library for their sessions. This small change made a big difference to her focus and understanding.
Flexibility: Adapting in the Moment
While differentiation is about planning, flexibility is about how you respond in the moment. As a tutor, you’ll often need to adjust your sessions based on how well students are engaging, or when unexpected questions and challenges arise. Being flexible ensures that your sessions are responsive and tailored to the needs of the moment.
1. Know your topic inside out
To be flexible, you must be confident in your subject matter. Students will sometimes ask unexpected questions or need help in areas you didn’t anticipate. Being prepared allows you to pivot seamlessly when these moments arise.
Example: Sophie, a maths tutor, was teaching quadratic equations when one of her students asked for help on a related but different topic—simultaneous equations. Having a solid understanding of both topics allowed Sophie to adapt her session on the spot, giving her students the support they needed.
2. Estimate time and have a backup plan
Sometimes students breeze through activities, and other times they need more time than expected. Having extra activities or discussion topics prepared ensures you’re never caught short.
Example: During a one-to-one session, James found that his student finished the planned tasks much quicker than anticipated. Fortunately, he had prepared a few challenging extension questions, so the lesson still flowed smoothly.
3. Ask questions throughout
Checking in with your students during a session is a great way to gauge how well they’re understanding the material. Pausing to ask a few questions lets you know if you need to slow down or can move ahead more quickly.
Example: Midway through a group English session, Leila noticed that her students were quiet and not interacting much. She paused and asked, "How are we finding the text so far?" This small check-in revealed that most of them were struggling with the vocabulary, so she spent extra time clarifying key terms.
4. Adjust based on student needs
Sometimes a student might need more support, or they might not be feeling their best. Being aware of your students' emotional and mental well-being is key to knowing when to push forward or slow down.
Example: During a maths session, Kate saw that her usually attentive student was distracted and fidgeting. Instead of pressing on, she took a moment to ask how he was feeling. He admitted he had been up late revising for another exam. Kate adjusted the pace of the lesson, allowing for a more relaxed approach that day.
5. Encourage ownership of learning
Asking students what they want to focus on in future sessions is a great way to personalise their learning. It can make them feel more confident and supported in their weaker areas.
Example: At the end of each session, Mo always asked his students, “What do you think we should cover next time?” This gave them a say in their learning and helped them feel more in control of their progress.
Managing the Unexpected
Flexibility also means managing the unexpected with compassion. Some days, students might not be feeling their best, and it’s important to adjust your expectations. Showing patience and understanding can help take the pressure off students, allowing them to feel supported without letting their difficulties become overwhelming.
Example: Jack, a Yipiyap tutor, noticed that his group of Year 8 students were unusually quiet during their maths session. Instead of pushing them through the material, he gave them a 5-minute break and used that time to check in with how they were feeling. When they resumed the lesson, they were more focused and ready to learn.
Conclusion
Differentiation and flexibility are both essential tools in your tutoring toolkit. By planning ahead and being adaptable in the moment, you’ll be better equipped to meet the diverse needs of your students, no matter the setting. Whether you’re working one-to-one, in small groups, or in a classroom, these skills will help you create more meaningful and engaging learning experiences.
By staying responsive to your students’ needs, you’ll help them reach their full potential, making your tutoring sessions both effective and rewarding. Keep exploring your teaching practice, and remember that both you and your students are always learning and growing!