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Topic 11 Strategies for Providing for Individual Differences in the classroom

The document emphasizes the importance of differentiated instruction to cater to the diverse learning needs of all students, highlighting that fairness in education means adapting teaching methods rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. It suggests incorporating various teaching strategies, such as capitalizing on learning styles, interests, and multiple intelligences, to enhance student engagement and success. Additionally, it discusses the benefits of effective group work, computerized instruction, and considering outside placement options for students with specific needs.

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NAFULA DENNIS WABUSHA
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

Topic 11 Strategies for Providing for Individual Differences in the classroom

The document emphasizes the importance of differentiated instruction to cater to the diverse learning needs of all students, highlighting that fairness in education means adapting teaching methods rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. It suggests incorporating various teaching strategies, such as capitalizing on learning styles, interests, and multiple intelligences, to enhance student engagement and success. Additionally, it discusses the benefits of effective group work, computerized instruction, and considering outside placement options for students with specific needs.

Uploaded by

NAFULA DENNIS WABUSHA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Because all students are capable learners, you as a teacher must demonstrate that all students

are expected to fully participate in all activities. Sometimes you will want to offer options for
students to choose from, but everyone should be involved in learning.”

—Susan Winebrenner, author of Teaching Kids with Learning Difficulties in the Regular
Classroom

The following are some creative teaching strategies you can use to teach students with different
needs in the ways they learn best. It summarizes some of these methods that help to better
understand and respond to these students

Differentiate instruction. It’s important to recognize that “fairness” in education doesn’t mean
that all children are taught in the exact same way. Instead it means accounting for the needs of
individual students and adjusting the curriculum accordingly. Differentiation allows you to
provide individualized instruction by changing the pace, level, or style of teaching to engage
student strengths and interests. Students with mental health and learning disorders are not the
only children who benefit from this instructional philosophy—all children in your classroom can
achieve at higher levels when you are conscientious about providing instruction that fits how
they learn best. Differentiating instruction includes, when appropriate, reducing assignments or
extending deadlines to accommodate a child’s abilities.

Capitalize on learning styles. Students learn in a number of different ways. Visual


learners learn most effectively from visual information, while auditory learners learn best from
verbal or audio presentations. Tactile-kinesthetic learners do well when touching or moving in
some way as they take in information (experiential learning). While students can often learn to
some degree in all of these different ways, many excel in one area so that instruction based on a
particular style is much more effective than that of another. Deficits in one or more areas of
learning can be particularly common in students with learning disabilities.

Incorporate multiple intelligences into curriculum. Students often have areas of learning in
which they are particularly strong. These learning strengths can be engaged to help students
succeed in the classroom and reach their full potential. The multiple intelligences are a
framework of strengths outlined by Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner. They are linguistic,
logical-mathematical, visual- spatial, musical-rythmic, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal,
intrapersonal, and naturalist. Most students have strengths in one or two of these areas.

Capitalize on student interests. One of the best ways to motivate students is to incorporate
their interests into the curriculum. As much as possible, allow students to choose the topics
they’ll report on in a paper or project. Also look to include interests in other smaller ways—such
as in math word problems. Tying learning to interests is a potentially powerful way to reinforce
core curriculum concepts.

Involve students in educational goals. Students perform best when they feel they are active
participants, as opposed to passive subjects, in learning. Try to involve students in creating goals
related to learning activities. Children with mental health and learning disorders may have a
negative attitude toward schoolwork so incentives are required at the outset. Your goal ultimately
should be to have students genuinely engaged in learning so that rewards become less important.

Use computerized instruction. Most students enjoy working with computers, which can
stimulate their interest in schoolwork. A wide assortment of available programs from reading
instruction to voice recognition software makes computerized instruction very relevant in
helping students with special needs. Activities and games that incorporate material from content
themes can reinforce concepts for visual and tactile learners.

Group students effectively. Group projects provide great opportunities for you to put together
the talents of students in complementary ways. A child who struggles in one aspect of a subject
may excel in another. Group students so that they can both showcase strengths and learn from
peers. Also give careful consideration to the social dynamics of groups. Children who have
mental health and learning disorders benefit from working with students who are especially kind,
patient, and empathetic.

Consider outside placement options. Some children may have needs you simply cannot meet
in the regular classroom. At these times, work with your school’s specialists to ensure skills are
developed in other settings. A child with a communication disorder might require intensive work
with a speech language pathologist. An extremely disruptive student may need to spend part of
the day in a program set up for children with serious emotional disorders.

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