Wednesday, October 20, 2010

One Size Doesn't Fit All

"One size doesn't fit all" is a popular slogan associated with differentiated instruction. The translation is that differentiated instruction helps all students learn by tailoring instruction to meet their abilities, needs, and interests.

Imagine our surprise when we learned that the expression "one size doesn't fit all" has now spilled over to additional venues.  For example, the term now applies to the world of banking and economics and in the context of nutrition at MyPyramid.gov. The term is also used with compensation measures, church leadership, dog breeding, and mobile platforms for marketing. We've seen the slogan in the pharmaceutical industry, and in politics.

We used the term ourselves during an ISTE Webinar we presented in early 2009.  Meris Stansbury, Associate Editor at ESchool News expertly summed up what differentiating instruction means to educators. We hope you'll read this article.