Leveling Up Through Cognitive Progression

All students are not at the same cognitive stage, and they do not all have the same learning style. Thus, when you stand before your class to teach a skill, you are only reaching a portion of your class. This tool will explain a differentiation strategy intended to meet the needs of all students in your learning community, beginning with the end in mind. Video-game developers use a technique called "leveling up" to create momentum as players improve and excel from level to level (Mark Prensky, 2006). At every level, a new challenge is introduced that builds on prior knowledge and success, and that requires a specific strategy and higher-order thinking to overcome. Each level is a cognitive progression; it provides the player with a challenge that is just above their prior level of success. Meeting with small successes as the play gets harder keeps players motivated and engaged as they believe, with a little work, they have the ability to master the next level because they have mastered