Peer Reviewed Journal via three different mandatory reviewing processes, since 2006, and, from September 2020, a fourth mandatory peer-editing has been added.
Department of Mathematics, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, United States
Cite this paper as: Hendel, R. J. (2022). A Transdisciplinary Approach to Differentiated Instruction. Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 20(1), 65-85. https://doi.org/10.54808/JSCI.20.01.65
Differentiated instruction (DI) improves student performance and student satisfaction especially when preliminary instructor training is provided. However, the DI literature is overwhelming, excessively challenging many instructors to create a DI for multiple learning styles. This paper employs a transdisciplinary approach to address this gap between theory and challenging operational implementation. #1) The discipline of architecture introduced the approach of universal design, advocating that new buildings be initially built to allow universal access; this contrasts with the prior method of attempting to comply with regulations after building completion, which is often costly and wasteful. #2) The discipline of neuro-psychology identifies higher cognitive brain function with (performance) executive function which in turn is simply implemented using a multiple-modality approach. This suggests that pedagogic emphasis should be given to initial universal instruction addressing several modalities in contrast to one current DI approach requiring a costly continual monitoring and evaluation of individual student learning styles. This multiple modality approach, derived from neuropsychology is consistent with a wide variety of learning theories. #3) The discipline of industrial psychology emphasizes goal-setting, the skillful breaking up of a complex task into component tasks each of which is clearly defined, achievable timely, but challenging. #4) Goal setting coupled with the self-efficacy approach introduced by the discipline of social psychology, with an emphasis on perceptions of the self as a key motivating factor in learning, advocate that use of software technology, with numerically differentiated difficulty levels, allowing each student to both self-assess and self-improve with their own actions (self-regulation) The transdisciplinary approach advocates numerous innovations for DI which it is hoped that other researchers and instructors will pursue.
