Which instructional approach tailors teaching to individual student needs and interests?

Differentiated instruction is an approach that specifically addresses the diverse needs and interests of individual students within a classroom. This method allows educators to modify their teaching strategies, learning materials, and assessment methods to accommodate various learning styles, readiness levels, and interests. By recognizing that students come with different backgrounds and abilities, differentiated instruction aims to provide appropriate challenges and supports, ensuring all learners can engage with the material effectively.

In contrast, standardized instruction typically adheres to a one-size-fits-all method, where the same material is presented to all students regardless of their unique needs. Uniform instruction also follows a similar principle by applying a consistent approach across the board without customization for individual learners. Direct instruction is a structured methodology that focuses on clear and explicit teaching but does not inherently tailor the content to student interests and individual learning profiles. Therefore, the choice of differentiated instruction highlights the importance of personalizing education to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment.