Teaching Diverse Learners 9 Teaching Diverse Learners

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 learners © 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

What type of learner are you? © Archipoch/Shutterstock

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

Multiple Intelligences Type of Intelligence Strength Logical-mathematical Logical problems, math Spatial Visualizing Bodily-kinesthetic Hands-on activities, movement Linguistic Words Musical Rhythm, sound patterns continued

Multiple Intelligences Type of Intelligence Strength Intrapersonal Analyzer of self, strength/weaknesses Interpersonal Communication Naturalistic Analyzing environment Existentialist Philosophical questions

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

Identify methods schools can use to help gifted and talented learners and students with special needs reach their potential. © Ilike/Shutterstock

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

What do you think are the pros and cons of mainstreaming and inclusion? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock

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

What steps can you take to promote acceptance of diversity in your classroom? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock

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 © oliveromg/Shutterstock 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

What are some ways you will support diversity in your classroom as a teacher? © Archipoch/Shutterstock

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

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. musical continued

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