As a future teacher and current college student, this question has popped up in my mind many times. I took SPED last semester and it was such an intentionally designed course by the professor. She did an outstanding job of showing us what we as future teachers need to understand when it comes to special education and what we will face on day one.
All students are learners and they all absorb information in different ways. As a future teacher, I always need to look for the growth and willingness to learn in the students. When it comes to intelligence there multiple intelligences that can help identify strengths and weaknesses. I think once this is identified in a group of students, they can be paired up with students who differ in learning. This could offer the students a chance to learn from students who think differently than them and who have differing viewpoints. This allows the students to come together and share their knowledge but it also creates an environment of allowing others to be heard.
Diverse learners are in every classroom and it is important for teachers all across the world to recognize this. Teachers should not have a specific and tight nit game plan where every student is the exact same therefore the lesson plan is the same for every student. All students do not absorb information the same so it is crucial that teachers are flexible and aware of their students so that everyone has the chance to reach their full potential!
Hi Kenzie! I also took SPED a few summers ago and I absolutely loved the information that I learned as well. I think you made a great point that not all students are able to learn the same. It is so important to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each individual because, as you said, not every student will necessarily learn the same way! There is a crucial need for teachers to be able to connect what they are teaching to each student in a way that not only makes sense as a whole, but will capture the attention of all students. Lessons plans are the basis of teaching, and the great thing is that they can be modified to accommodate each student so that it fits their specific style of learning. It may also be useful to allow students to reflect with other classmates (or adults) so that they can be retain the information that they are learning.
ReplyDeleteHey Payton! I love that you took into consideration that all teachers should make an effort to connect with what they are teaching as well as being able to capture their attention. I think this is crucial for the environment of students!
DeleteHey Kenzie. I liked your response and I really enjoyed the personal touches to your past educational experiences mentioned in your answer. I feel as though each class I do here at Texas State in the education program has been so great at teaching me classroom management, as well as how to teach overall, and how to be an inclusive learner and educator. This topic specifically I felt was really important to learn because I do feel as though sometimes the different kinds of learners do get overlooked in different lessons, so we should do our best to set up the kids to as much academic success as possible. I liked how you mentioned the idea of putting different kinds of learners together in groups to share their thoughts to help one another grow, because if we are only exposed to one kind of idea, then we will never excel to a more advanced level of learning.
ReplyDeleteHey Morgan!
DeleteThanks for commenting on my post! I agree with you about the classes here at Texas State! These upper level classes have really got me thinking about being in a classroom and what I can do as a teacher to make sure all my students thrive!
Hi Kenzie! I haven't taken the SPED course but after reading the first paragraph I truly believe that it would also help me become a better teacher in the future to know what comes within special education. I agree with you on how many different students learn in different ways. I believe that every education course that I take here will benefit me greatly. I liked that you mentioned how teachers should have such a tight nit game plan on how the students are the exact same so the lesson plans should all be the same.
ReplyDeleteHey Bri!
DeleteThe SPED course was a great course to take! I very glad that I took it because I believe it helped me grasp the idea of different learners and what I can do as a teacher to be more inclusive rather than exclusive.
Hi Kenzie, I really liked that you included this idea that educators should be focused on the growth and wellness of our students in your blog. I believe that there are multiple different approaches to teaching in which you can insure the growth of your students, and a major factor being the incorporation of diverse learning practices. I really liked that you had the suggestion of grouping different kinds of learners together, because even though we are the educators in classrooms there are many times where students will learn from each other just as much as they learn from us. By grouping different learners together there are more opportunities for students to unlock different wants for learning that students can grow from.
ReplyDeleteHi Kenzie! I agree, grouping people who learn differently could also be a great idea, as they can learn from one another and sometimes, the peer might be more helpful than the teacher. I agree teachers should not have this strict lesson plan for every student, because every student is different. Teachers should have different activities all students do but that help each individual learn in their own way.
ReplyDeleteHello Kenzie! I really enjoyed reading your blog because you used your past classes to establish credibility. I especially found your thought that every classroom has diverse learners really interesting. Teachers should never assume they do not have diverse learners. Everyone has a different experience when it comes to school and everyone's educational needs vary. Therefore it important that teachers try to get to know their students on a personal level so they can figure out who their diverse learners are. Like you said, students connecting with other students is essential. It can give students a new perspective about how diverse learners think and process information. Grouping students gives them the chance to increase their confidence and improve their speaking skills.
ReplyDeleteHello Kenzie! I absolutely loved how you worded your points and I could not agree more with the ways in which you feel teachers should approach differenciating in instruction. I personally love your idea of having students figure out which multiple intelligence category they fall into and having them work with other student who have strengths in other areas. Many times, we pair students or people based on similarities to encourage a sometimes more amplicable discourse, but it is vital to allow students the opportunity to discuss topics or ideas with others who have a different way of understanding things. It is only through exposure to new ideas that people may expand their own skill set and knowledge. I think it is super important, as you mentioned, that teachers remain flexible in their curriculum and methods of instruction in order to accomadate for and cater to each students individual needs. Everyone learns, feels, and develops differently, and it is our job as future educators to commit to adapting our methods to suit the needs of all children in our classroom to ensure a positive learning environment. I honestly think Texas State offers incredible courses in their teaching program to help equip us with the skills and information necessary to diversify our curriculum and adapt to special circumstances. As you mentioned, the SPED course here is absolutely incredible and delves into a myriad of methods that may be utilized to ensure all students are comfortable and eager to learn. All in all, teaching does not involve "fix all" solutions that will work in any given scenario. The job is about being able to adapt to the needs of the classroom.
ReplyDeleteHey there Kenzie! Even though I did not take the SPED course like many other students in this course I have taken a couple different course that I feel like are preparing me for all kids of students. Especially because no students are similar in personality and learning styles. I like your approach on matching partners so they can all not just work on what they are good at. It is always good to increase a skill your good at but its even better to make all skills equal to your best. Or in other words be rounded out through all your skills. I would like to also agree that teachers need come into the classroom with an open mindset. If they don’t have an open mind in the classroom students can get discouraged in everything. Every student is different, so I am going to quote an amazing movie that I think also applies to students! “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you gonna get.”
ReplyDeleteHey Kenzie! I also really enjoyed my SPED class, after taking it I realized I wanted to go further with my degree so I can be more prepared for my future students. It showed me how common special learning plans are amongst students, and the huge impact these extra accommodations can make, as little as these may seem. In school, I always appreciated when teachers would make an extra effort to form connecting relationships with me and other students, and if I was struggling with something I got the assistance I needed. It greatly influenced my overall attitude about school and learning in general, so as a teacher I want to provide that same nurturing for my students. I really like your idea about pairing students together who learn differently. It’s a great way to help your students see that there are many ways to do one thing, and one isn’t necessarily wrong just because it’s different. Thank you for sharing!
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