Carol Ann Tomlinson Difference Between Teaching And Research

Carol Ann Tomlinson is a well-known expert in Differentiated Instruction in theUnited States. She mainly concerned herself with gifted education in the early days,and then turned to study differentiation in mixed-ability classrooms. As a result ofresearching relevant theory and practice for nearly two decades, Tomlinson hasformed a set of Differentiated Instruction theory which is unique and instructive. Inher view, Differentiated Instruction should respond to the needs of all learners, thecore idea of which is that content, process and product should be differentiatedbased on students readiness level, interests and learning profiles to enable allstudents to get maximum development ultimately. The theoretical basis ofDifferentiated Instruction is from relevant psychology and brain science researchesand two rationales are put forward based on that. Tomlinson also elaboratesstudents’ differences in the readiness, interests and learning profiles; three elementsof the curriculum, including content, process and product; roles of teachers.Differentiated Instruction theory of Tomlinson covers is comprehensive and detailed.And this thesis mainly introduces the core contents that support the theory, such asParallel Curriculum Model, Differentiated Instruction strategies, learningenvironment, grading and Differentiated Instruction management. In addition, thisthesis teases out the development process and academic features of Tomlinson’sDifferentiated Instruction theory through a lot of literature and professional books,which plays a complementary role for the complete presentation of the theory. In theend, the thesis puts forward some suggestions for differentiated instruction in Chinacombined with Tomlinson’s Differentiated Instruction theory so as to offer referenceto readers.