Name of Strategy: Identifying Similarities and Differences
Source: Classroom Instruction That Works: Research-based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement.
Authors: Robert J. Marzano, Debra Pickering, Jane E. Pollock
Explanation: Identifying similarities and differences between people, stories, or events can help to recognize the solution of the most difficult problems. From research and theory there are four generalizations that can be made about this concept. First, guiding students in identifying similarities and differences enhances understanding and the ability to use knowledge. Directly telling students the similarities and differences will often lead to only one conclusion and allowing the students to come up with their own thoughts through discussion and inquiry to support generalization of ideas. Student directed activities are another way to focus on identifying similarities and differences. This activity stimulates critical thinking and invites students to create opposing or deviating conclusions. Creating a visual in any lesson is important, this can be done by using graphs and symbolic representations to further clarify and generate student understanding. The fourth generalization about this theory of instruction is that there are different “forms” indicated as highly effective; comparing, classifying, creating metaphors, and creating analogies. In order to fit into a form, elements of similarity and difference must first be identified then placed into a form, allowing generalization and learning to occur.
For this strategy to be effective the tasks should first be teacher-directed. When implementing this strategy the process of comparing should be presented in a highly structured task to achieve familiarity, i.e. the items to compare and characteristics which are the bases of comparison. These tasks will help focus the comparisons and create knowledge of general similarities and differences. After the teacher aids students in understanding the process of comparison, they should select the characteristics and/or items to compare. This is a student-directed comparison task. Venn diagram and comparison matrix are two visuals for organizing comparisons. Venn diagrams list similarities of two elements in the intersection of two circles. The parts not intersecting list differences. A comparison matrix is more detailed, allowing for multiple elements to be compared at one time. Classifying elements into forms can be teacher-directed or student-directed as well. Students will be placing characteristics into appropriate categories, with an understanding of why they belong there. Finally, metaphors and analogies help to generalize and create an understanding of information.