Learning and teaching with understanding by design and differentiated instruction

2006·1.8 MB·English

by  Hamilton, Marjorie

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation
http://www.archive.org/details/learningteachingOOhami

Learningand Teaching with Understanding by Design
and Differentiated Instruction
A Project Presented to the Faculty of Sweet Briar College
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree
Master of Education
By
Marjorie Hamilton
May 2006
11,

Abstract
Learning and Teaching with Understanding by Design and Differentiated
Instruction by Marjorie Hamilton looks at the curriculum design model of
backward design combined with differentiated instruction. This project
poses the question whether the curriculum designed for a second grade
social studies unit will increase understanding when the principles of
backward design and differentiation are implemented. The three week unit
included a six day direct instruction section and a nine day backward
designed and differentiated section implemented in a second grade social
studies unit. The study provides strong evidence that the combination of
backward curriculum design integrating differentiated instruction enhances
the deep understanding that is needed for students to become life long
learners. The project is an initial studyand more research is needed to
establish firm evidence to generalize the finding to the general population.

Table of Contents
Chapters".
One Background
Introduction 5
Thesis Question 6
Assumptions 6
Purposeof the Thesis 7
Significance of theProblem 10
Definitions 8
Two Review of the Literature
Introduction 14
Research 19
Summary 25
Three Methodology of the Study
Introduction 26
Hypothesis 26
[Descriptions 27
Population Sample 29
Timeline 29
Data Collection 29
Methods and Procedures 30
Summary 35
Four Introduction 36
Unit Adjustments 37
Quantitativeand Qualitative 39
Findings 46
Summary 47
Five Recommendations 48
Threats 49
Future Research 51
A Final Thought 51
Appendix 52
Bibliography 63