Adaptive Teaching

Adaptive teaching is an evolution of differentiation that recognises and responds to the diverse needs, abilities and learning styles of pupils. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all method, adaptive teaching adjusts instructional strategies, materials, and assessments to meet pupils where they are and guide them towards success. It involves knowing your pupils’ prior levels of attainment and providing targeted support. With adaptive teaching, the teacher plans for the whole class and makes changes to the curriculum or resources so that all children can achieve the same goals. 

Over the past few years, ​‘differentiation’ has become an increasingly unpopular term in teaching. Most likely, it was an unintended consequence of an accountability system that incentivised teachers to ​‘prove’ they were differentiating by generating multiple worksheets or by organising mini-lessons for different groups.

If ​‘differentiation’ comes with too much baggage, it may be timely to move forward with new terminology and ideas. The term ​‘adaptive teaching’, especially as set out in the Early Career Framework, resets our expectations about what it means to differentiate, and it offers a more helpful and practical model.

What is Adaptive Teaching?

Adaptive teaching is a teaching method tailored to meet the unique learning needs of every pupil. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, our teachers adjust their teaching styles, strategies, and materials to ensure each pupil is engaged, challenged, and supported in their learning journey.

• Enhanced Memory Retention: Regularly recalling information strengthens neural pathways, solidifying the learning.

• Building Confidence: As pupils notice their increasing ability to remember, their confidence in their learning abilities grows.

• Effective Assessment: Retrieval practice serves as a diagnostic tool, highlighting areas where pupils might need further support or review.

• Active Engagement: It shifts the focus from passive note-taking to active recall, keeping pupils actively involved in their learning process.

How Does Adaptive Teaching Benefit Pupils?

1. Personalised Learning: Recognises that every child learns differently and provides individualised instruction based on each pupil's strengths, weaknesses, and pace.
2. Maximises Potential: By meeting pupils where they are in their learning journey, adaptive teaching ensures that every pupil can progress and reach their full potential.
3. Encourages Engagement: By making lessons more relevant and tailored to individual needs, pupils are more likely to be engaged and motivated.
4. Builds Confidence: Pupils who receive personalised support are more likely to understand and master new concepts, leading to increased confidence in their abilities.

How Do Teachers Implement Adaptive Teaching?

• Assessment: Regular assessments help teachers understand where each pupil is in their learning process. This is not just about tests; it includes observations, discussions, and classroom formative assessments.
• Flexible Grouping: Based on assessment data, pupils might be grouped differently from one activity to the next depending on the skills being targeted.
• Differentiated Content: Teachers may present content in various ways using videos, hands-on activities, interactive software, and more to cater to different learning styles.
• Feedback and Adjustments: Teachers provide timely feedback, allowing pupils to understand their areas of improvement. The teaching approach is adjusted accordingly.

What is the difference between differentiation and adaptive teaching?

Traditional differentiation usually refers to planning different activities for different groups or individual students, depending on their attainment levels. It also refers to the action you take to remove barriers to learning. Adaptive teaching is where you focus on the class as a whole.