What is the practice of modifying teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students called?

The practice of modifying teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students is referred to as instructional differentiation. This approach involves tailoring instruction to accommodate varying learning styles, interests, and abilities among students. By recognizing that each student learns differently, educators employ strategies that may include flexible grouping, varied instructional materials, and changes in the complexity of tasks to ensure all students can access the learning objectives.

Instructional differentiation not only enhances student engagement but also improves learning outcomes by addressing individual strengths and weaknesses. This personalized approach enables teachers to create a more inclusive classroom environment where diverse learners can thrive.

While the other options also relate to different aspects of education, they do not specifically emphasize the adaptation of teaching methodologies as a response to student diversity. Comprehensive teaching could imply a holistic approach but lacks the focus on individual modifications. Curricular adaptation typically refers to changes made to the curriculum itself rather than instructional practices. Student-centered learning shifts the focus to the learners' needs but does not encapsulate the specific method of modifying instruction as effectively as instructional differentiation does.