Defining Differentiation

The National Curriculum Council defined differentiation as 'the process by which curriculum objectives, teaching methods, assessment, resources and learning activities are planned to cater for the needs of individual pupils,' and Tomlinson and Allan (2000) say that differentiation is defined as 'a teacher's reacting responsively to a learner's needs.'

Differentiation is the matching of work to the different capabilities of individuals or groups in order to extend their learning.

Differentiation is about entitlement of access to a full curriculum in order that every pupil can reach their full potential (McNamara and Moreton, 1997).

Differentiation means 'shaking up' what goes on in the classroom so that students have multiple options for taking in information, making sense of ideas, and expressing what they learn (Tomlinson, 1999).

Differentiation is a planned process of intervention by the teacher in the pupil's learning.

Here is my definition:

Differentiation is when the planning, processes, activities, resources and teacher of a lesson meet the learning needs and style of every pupil.