9 teaching diverse learners permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.©...

9Teaching Diverse

Learners

Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Objective

• Analyze personal learning styles and intelligences.

© AVAVA/Shutterstock


Teaching Diverse Learners

• Learning diversity includes– different learning styles– physical, social, emotional, or mental

challenges– language barriers– differences in ethnicity or cultural customs


Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences• Recognize each student as an

individual• Understanding differences in how

students learn can help teachers maximize learning for more students


Learning Styles

• Learning styles include– visual learners– auditory learners– kinesthetic-tactile learner

s

© Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

continued


Learning Styles

• Teachers can plan lessons to incorporate different modes of learning

• Teachers can use different styles to help individual students

• They can avoid emphasizing one particular learning style when teaching


Visual Learners

• Learn best by seeing information– Reading– Writing notes– Drawing, viewing pictures, watching

movies– Highlighting


Auditory Learners

• Learn best by hearing information– Lectures– Discussions– Reciting out loud– Tunes and rhythms

© Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock


Kinesthetic-Tactile Learners• Learn best by doing or through hands-

on activity– Use objects for representation– Studying with others– Working through a procedure


For Reflection

• What type of learner are you?

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Multiple Intelligences

• Howard Gardner published his theory of multiple intelligences

• List continues to expand and evolve• Teachers find that drawing on different

types of intelligences helps students learn more and expand all areas of intelligence

continued



Type of Intelligence

Strength

Logical-mathematical

Logical problems, math

Spatial Visualizing

Bodily-kinesthetic Hands-on activities, movement

Linguistic Words

Musical Rhythm, sound patternscontinued



Type of Intelligence

Strength

Intrapersonal Analyzer of self, strength/weaknesses

Interpersonal Communication

Naturalistic Analyzing environment

Existentialist Philosophical questions


For Discussion

• Which of Gardner’s intelligences do you think is your strongest? Why?

© Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock


Tapping Individual Learning Strengths• Benefits include

– understanding student potential; can improve students’ attitudes toward learning

– using varied teaching techniques; draws on a wider range of student strengths

– allowing more student choice; allows students to draw on their strengths

continued


Tapping Individual Learning Strengths• Benefits include

– helping individual learners; the teacher can help students find techniques that match their personal strengths

– helping all learners; students can strengthen other learning techniques

continued


Tapping Individual Learning Strengths• Teachers can incorporate tips and

techniques for gaining skills into regular lessons– Reminders– Explanations– Examples– Checklists– Organizational aids


Objective

• Identify methods schools can use to help gifted and talented learners and students with special needs reach their potential.

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Exceptional Learners

• Two main groups of exceptional learners:– Gifted and talented– Learners with special needs


Gifted and Talented Learners• Students who have abilities

significantly greater than those of others their age– Gifted: excel academically– Talented: outstanding skills in music, art,

theater, dance, leadership


Supporting the Gifted and Talented• Provide in-class enrichment; learning

opportunities during regular classes© Hasan Shaheed/Shutterstock continued


Supporting the Gifted and Talented• Use self-paced learning; students can

move on when they are ready• Skipping a grade; may cause problems

with social-emotional skills• Attending special schools (such as

magnet schools)

continued


Supporting the Gifted and Talented• Providing pull-out programs; leaving

regular classes for advanced classes© Tomasz

Trojanowski/Shutterstock continued


Supporting the Gifted and Talented• Participating in extracurricular

programs; improve knowledge and skills in all areas of interest

• Taking advanced classes; may include community college or university classes

continued


Supporting the Gifted and Talented• Some teachers specialize in teaching

gifted and talented learners• Regular classroom teachers may also

have gifted and talented students• They need to provide these students

with more rigorous activities• Gifted or talented students may be

grouped for projects


Learners with Special Needs• Special needs may include physical,

mental, social, and behavioral challenges

• Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), public schools must create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with special needs

continued


Learners with Special Needs

• The plan also describes specific accommodations necessary

© Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock


Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities• Mainstreaming: students are placed in

one or more regular classes; not treated as special students

• Inclusion: students are in special classes but not expected to keep up academically

• Special education: adapted programs with extra staff and specialized equipment to help students with special needs learn


For Discussion

• What do you think are the pros and cons of mainstreaming and inclusion?



Objective

• Develop classroom strategies for ensuring an atmosphere of respect for all students.

© iofoto/Shutterstock


Cultural Diversity

• Schools reflect the diversity of the U.S.• Many people identify with a specific

ethnic group based on their heritage– Ethnicity: a particular racial, national, or

cultural group– Includes that group’s customs, beliefs,

values, and often language and religion


Using Diversity to Enrich Learning• Diversity can encourage new ideas,

opinions, and experiences© ZouZou/Shutterstock

continued


Using Diversity to Enrich Learning• Schools need to encourage respect and

tolerance• Some schools see diversity as a source

of conflict• School administrators must set the tone;

teachers must model acceptance• Stereotypes have no place in schools

continued


Using Diversity to Enrich Learning• Teachers must be sensitive to students’

individuality• Teachers can learn about students’

cultures by– meeting with parents– listening to students’ stories– studying cultural traditions


For Discussion

• What steps can you take to promote acceptance of diversity in your classroom?



Objective

• Identify the difficulties English language learners face and how classroom teachers can help them.

© iofoto/Shutterstock


Language Diversity

• Limited English proficiency (LEP) and English language learners (ELL) face the challenge of learning English in school

• Some students attend bilingual programs

• Others attend English as a Second Language (ESL) program


Helping English Language Learners

• Teachers may use several methods– Speaking clearly– Printing assignments

on the board

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continued


Helping English Language Learners

– Summarizing– Demonstrating– Giving step-by-step instructions– Having students work in pairs and groups– Providing study guides, vocabulary


The Challenge of Teaching Diverse Learners• Learn students’ individual learning

styles, strengths, abilities, and interests• Differentiated instruction provides

options that fit students’ needs• Varying student groups can help meet

different needs


For Reflection

• What are some ways you will support diversity in your classroom as a teacher?

© Archipoch/Shutterstock


Key Points• Teachers can help all students learn by

understanding different learning styles and multiple intelligences

• Exceptional learners may need special learning opportunities

• Schools can help prepare students for the diversity of the workplace by respecting diversity in the classroom


Review• What type of learner learns best by

performing hands-on or physical activities?

kinesthetic-tactile• In Gardner’s theory of multiple

intelligences, people with ____ intelligence are good with rhythm and sound patterns.

musicalcontinued


Review• How are magnet schools organized?to emphasize a particular subject area• What is differentiated instruction?teaching that incorporates learning

options to better meet the specific learning-related characteristics of individual students

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