1
WGU D181 - Task 1: Enhancing Student Engagement
via Differentiated Instruction | Passed on First Attempt |
2025 Update
Enhancing High School Student Engagement through Differentiated Instruction
Research Type
I will be conducting applied research study for teachers of all levels through creating a
professional development to help high school teachers increase engagement in their
classrooms.
Research Topic
My research topic is to improve student engagement of high school students through the
implementation of differentiated instruction. This aligns with the field of curriculum and
instruction because in order for teachers to have an effective learning environment, they should
know various instruction strategies as well as have resources to be able to meet the needs and
engage all of their learners. This topic is important to the field of instruction because teachers
should know strategies that encourage student academic and social-emotional growth as well
as be able to promote student collaboration to improve their success (Peterson-Ahmad et al.,
2023). Additionally, student engagement is increased when differentiated instruction occurs
(Godor, 2021).
Problem Statement
Teachers, specifically 9th grade teachers, are struggling to implement differentiated
instruction in their classrooms. This impacts effective learning environments because
classrooms have low student engagement. One possible cause of this problem is teachers have
a lack of training because professional developments are not tailored to meet teachers’ needs,
, 2
which forces them to have negative views regarding attending professional development..
Impact and Root Cause(s) of Problem
This problem negatively impacts students because students can fall behind in their
learning, especially students that need tailored support to be successful. Differentiated
instruction is important for engaging students on all levels, but when teachers don’t have the
proper training and resources needed to feel comfortable to implement strategies then
engagement and student academic success suffers.
Professional developments are the best solution, and both veteran and new teachers
have something to gain from attending and participating. However, professional development
must be tailored and must align with teachers’ goals and challenges since not everyone is on
the same professional journey. Otherwise, teachers will have negative views regarding
attending, which will mean they are less likely to apply the new strategies they were presented
(Durley, n.d.). Additionally, when professional development is tailored, all teachers, regardless of
experience, benefit from attending professional development and potential to walk away with
new information and enhanced skills (Mahmoudi & Özkan, 2015). This shows that one size
does not fit all, and to avoid negative views about professional developments, professional
developments should be tailored to meet the needs of teachers.
Research Product
The product I will create is designed as a 4-hour professional development workshop
that will provide teachers with strategies, tools and resources for differentiated instruction to
better meet the needs of all learners in their classrooms. This aligns with my problem because
when students are not engaged it can lead to unproductive, ineffective learning environments.
Product Alignment and Impact
The professional development will address the problem that ninth-graders teachers face
in effectively implementing differentiated instruction, often due to lack of teacher training. This
WGU D181 - Task 1: Enhancing Student Engagement
via Differentiated Instruction | Passed on First Attempt |
2025 Update
Enhancing High School Student Engagement through Differentiated Instruction
Research Type
I will be conducting applied research study for teachers of all levels through creating a
professional development to help high school teachers increase engagement in their
classrooms.
Research Topic
My research topic is to improve student engagement of high school students through the
implementation of differentiated instruction. This aligns with the field of curriculum and
instruction because in order for teachers to have an effective learning environment, they should
know various instruction strategies as well as have resources to be able to meet the needs and
engage all of their learners. This topic is important to the field of instruction because teachers
should know strategies that encourage student academic and social-emotional growth as well
as be able to promote student collaboration to improve their success (Peterson-Ahmad et al.,
2023). Additionally, student engagement is increased when differentiated instruction occurs
(Godor, 2021).
Problem Statement
Teachers, specifically 9th grade teachers, are struggling to implement differentiated
instruction in their classrooms. This impacts effective learning environments because
classrooms have low student engagement. One possible cause of this problem is teachers have
a lack of training because professional developments are not tailored to meet teachers’ needs,
, 2
which forces them to have negative views regarding attending professional development..
Impact and Root Cause(s) of Problem
This problem negatively impacts students because students can fall behind in their
learning, especially students that need tailored support to be successful. Differentiated
instruction is important for engaging students on all levels, but when teachers don’t have the
proper training and resources needed to feel comfortable to implement strategies then
engagement and student academic success suffers.
Professional developments are the best solution, and both veteran and new teachers
have something to gain from attending and participating. However, professional development
must be tailored and must align with teachers’ goals and challenges since not everyone is on
the same professional journey. Otherwise, teachers will have negative views regarding
attending, which will mean they are less likely to apply the new strategies they were presented
(Durley, n.d.). Additionally, when professional development is tailored, all teachers, regardless of
experience, benefit from attending professional development and potential to walk away with
new information and enhanced skills (Mahmoudi & Özkan, 2015). This shows that one size
does not fit all, and to avoid negative views about professional developments, professional
developments should be tailored to meet the needs of teachers.
Research Product
The product I will create is designed as a 4-hour professional development workshop
that will provide teachers with strategies, tools and resources for differentiated instruction to
better meet the needs of all learners in their classrooms. This aligns with my problem because
when students are not engaged it can lead to unproductive, ineffective learning environments.
Product Alignment and Impact
The professional development will address the problem that ninth-graders teachers face
in effectively implementing differentiated instruction, often due to lack of teacher training. This
