Chapter Nine Reflection
Chapter Nine Reflection
Description
Effective instruction should include differentiation in instruction in order to meet the multiple learning needs of students. This differentiation accommodates high level learners as well as at risk learners.
Analysis
It is important for teachers to be able to adapt instruction to meet the different levels of learners.
Educational psychologist, John Carroll, published an articled titled "A Model of School Learning". Slavin adapted the model to one he calls the QAIT model. The model stands for quality, appropriateness, incentive and time. Each element must exist in order for effective instruction to occur. In order to accommodate the differing abilities in learners, research has proven that "in class" grouping has more positive effects than between class grouping that segregates the low level learners from the high achieving learners." Accommodating instruction to student differences, or heterogeneity, is one of the most fundamental problems of education and often leads to politically and emotionally charged policies" (Slavin, 2015, p.219). Students should be flexibly grouped to meet the multiple needs of learners. "Untracking recommendations focus on placing students in mixed-ability groups and holding them to high standards but providing many ways for them to reach those standards, including extra assistance for students who are having difficulties keeping up " (Slavin, 2015, p.221). The goal is that all students have opportunities for high achievement.
Differentiated instruction is instruction that is designed to meet the specific needs of students.
"Differentiated instruction is an approach to teaching that adapts the content, level, pace, and products of instruction to accommodate the different needs of diverse students in regular classes" (Slavin, 2015, p.224). This type of instruction allows teachers to move students toward the same goals but do so at the pace that the student needs to attain it. Peer tutoring is another way to provide individualized instruction. Peer tutoring is where one student teaches another. Research has proven this to be successful. The tutor gains as well as the student. Tutoring by teachers has been proven to be the most effective type of individualized instruction. This can be more difficult to attain but is well worth the effort.
It should be every school and every educator's goal to make sure that each student succeeds. There will always be children who have more difficulty learning and are considered at risk. There are educational programs in place to help these students. Programs that are designed for at risk students fall into three categories: compensatory, early intervention, and special education. "Compensatory education is the term used for programs designed to prevent or remediate learning problems among students who are from low-income families or who attend schools in low-income communities" (Slavin, 2015, p.226). There are many intervention and prevention programs. A few that have been proven to be successful are: Success for All, the School Development Program, America’s Choice, and Direct Instruction.
Technology is an ever present and helpful tool in the classroom. Teachers use computer, interactive white boards, tablets, etc. There is no doubt that we live in a technology driven world and must be prepared to teach in this way. "The applications of learning technology fall into the following categories: word processing and publishing, spreadsheets and databases, computer-assisted instruction, the Internet, multimedia, integrated learning systems, and computer programming" (Slavin, 2015, p.232).
Reflection
I am pleased to say that differentiation in the classroom and the strive to meet all learners has increased over the last ten years of my teaching career. When I began my first years of teaching over 20 years ago, there was very little taught or talked about with intervention and small groups. Fortunately, in today's educational realm, this has become norm. Our district constantly provides professional development, book studies and grade level meetings that focus on strategies for helping the at risk students succeed as well as differentiating instruction so that all learners will be successful. We have made it a point to get together once a week to discuss potential problems and how we can specifically address these. We also have data meetings each month to ensure no child is left behind.
When I take the time to truly think about how I use technology in my classroom, I know there are many ways I can improve. I need to take the time to learn more innovative ways to use the interactive white board that includes all students. Although I use the computers and tablets on a daily basis in my classroom, I would like to do a better job of providing projects that not only teach students the subject matter but gain their knowledge to better use technology. I would like to do a better job with web research projects, teaching students to code and use word processing.
It is important for teachers to be able to adapt instruction to meet the different levels of learners.
Educational psychologist, John Carroll, published an articled titled "A Model of School Learning". Slavin adapted the model to one he calls the QAIT model. The model stands for quality, appropriateness, incentive and time. Each element must exist in order for effective instruction to occur. In order to accommodate the differing abilities in learners, research has proven that "in class" grouping has more positive effects than between class grouping that segregates the low level learners from the high achieving learners." Accommodating instruction to student differences, or heterogeneity, is one of the most fundamental problems of education and often leads to politically and emotionally charged policies" (Slavin, 2015, p.219). Students should be flexibly grouped to meet the multiple needs of learners. "Untracking recommendations focus on placing students in mixed-ability groups and holding them to high standards but providing many ways for them to reach those standards, including extra assistance for students who are having difficulties keeping up " (Slavin, 2015, p.221). The goal is that all students have opportunities for high achievement.
Differentiated instruction is instruction that is designed to meet the specific needs of students.
"Differentiated instruction is an approach to teaching that adapts the content, level, pace, and products of instruction to accommodate the different needs of diverse students in regular classes" (Slavin, 2015, p.224). This type of instruction allows teachers to move students toward the same goals but do so at the pace that the student needs to attain it. Peer tutoring is another way to provide individualized instruction. Peer tutoring is where one student teaches another. Research has proven this to be successful. The tutor gains as well as the student. Tutoring by teachers has been proven to be the most effective type of individualized instruction. This can be more difficult to attain but is well worth the effort.
It should be every school and every educator's goal to make sure that each student succeeds. There will always be children who have more difficulty learning and are considered at risk. There are educational programs in place to help these students. Programs that are designed for at risk students fall into three categories: compensatory, early intervention, and special education. "Compensatory education is the term used for programs designed to prevent or remediate learning problems among students who are from low-income families or who attend schools in low-income communities" (Slavin, 2015, p.226). There are many intervention and prevention programs. A few that have been proven to be successful are: Success for All, the School Development Program, America’s Choice, and Direct Instruction.
Technology is an ever present and helpful tool in the classroom. Teachers use computer, interactive white boards, tablets, etc. There is no doubt that we live in a technology driven world and must be prepared to teach in this way. "The applications of learning technology fall into the following categories: word processing and publishing, spreadsheets and databases, computer-assisted instruction, the Internet, multimedia, integrated learning systems, and computer programming" (Slavin, 2015, p.232).
Reflection
I am pleased to say that differentiation in the classroom and the strive to meet all learners has increased over the last ten years of my teaching career. When I began my first years of teaching over 20 years ago, there was very little taught or talked about with intervention and small groups. Fortunately, in today's educational realm, this has become norm. Our district constantly provides professional development, book studies and grade level meetings that focus on strategies for helping the at risk students succeed as well as differentiating instruction so that all learners will be successful. We have made it a point to get together once a week to discuss potential problems and how we can specifically address these. We also have data meetings each month to ensure no child is left behind.
When I take the time to truly think about how I use technology in my classroom, I know there are many ways I can improve. I need to take the time to learn more innovative ways to use the interactive white board that includes all students. Although I use the computers and tablets on a daily basis in my classroom, I would like to do a better job of providing projects that not only teach students the subject matter but gain their knowledge to better use technology. I would like to do a better job with web research projects, teaching students to code and use word processing.
References
Slavin, R. E. (2015). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (11th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson Education.
Comments
Post a Comment