In one of my second semester classes
called 21st Century Literacies across the Primary/Junior Curriculum,
we have begun to discuss ten of the new literacies that we will be focusing on
throughout the semester. For example, we will be learning more about critical literacy,
mental health literacy, and environmental literacy (just to name a few). I am
very interested to learn more about these topics as 21st century
skills will be important for me to teach my future students.
One of the class discussions that really
resonated with me was our conversation about things that we had learned within
the past month. We ended up using knitting as an example to emphasize the
different ways in which individuals can learn. Several students were asked how
they learned to knit and it became clear that each student had learned to knit
in different ways, whether it was through the Wikihow site, through a YouTube
video, or from a family member or friend. We discussed how each of us could
likely learn to knit a scarf, but that we would all learn how to knit in a way
that was most suited to us as learners. This example highlighted for me that
every individual learns in a different way, and that no way is better than
another.
This class discussion relates strongly to
my philosophy of teaching. I believe that this example relates to students and
how they learn within the classroom. It is important to me, as a future
educator, to differentiate instruction and teach my classes using the
strategies that are best for them so that each student has an equal opportunity
to learn. I think that it would be important to assess the ways in which
students learn best at the beginning of the year so that each lesson
accommodates the students’ learning styles. For example, this may include
giving instructions for tasks both visually on a worksheet for those students
who are visual learners and by speaking the instructions out loud for those
students who are auditory learners.
Differentiated instruction in the classroom [Video]. (2013). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfdeBhzI3NI
This
video demonstrates just some of the ways that differentiated instruction can be
used in the classroom. It offers suggestions like Jigsaw learning, the use of
technology, and collaborating with peers in order to teach students in ways in
which they will learn most effectively.
Additionally, giving students the
opportunity to choose how to show their learning based on what is most
effective for them, would be an excellent way to differentiate assessment. Through
my time in the Concurrent Education program, I have learned that tests are not
the best way for many students to show their learning. By letting my students
choose the ways in which they show what they have learned, it would give me an opportunity
to see the knowledge that they have gained in a way that suits them best. I do
wonder, however, what some of the problems with assessing children on
student-chosen activities are.
 |
| Assessment [Image]. (2013). Retrieved from http://thinkedu.net/blog/tag/assessment/ |
This
image demonstrates why differentiated assessment is so important. It is vital
that teachers accommodate children and assess them in the ways that they can be most
successful so that assessment is fair, rather than testing each student in the exact same way.
For more information on assessing students in different ways, you can visit the link below, which provides a
great explanation of differentiated assessment.
References
Assessment [Image]. (2013). Retrieved from http://thinkedu.net/blog/tag/assessment/
Cheryl Dick [Cheryl Dick]. (2013, December 2). Differentiated instruction in the classroom [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfdeBhzI3NI
