Harden Elkington
Every kid has his or her own method of understanding and applying information that cannot be fitted into any one-size-fits-all teaching strategy.
Given numerous studies demonstrating the importance of hands-on learning, it’s hard to understand why so many teachers believe that students learn best from lectures.
As Joshua Aronson, a professor of applied psychology at New York University says, “The truth is that people aren’t designed to learn from lectures.” So why lecture?
You might be surprised to hear this, but giving students the opportunity to teach their classmates offers numerous benefits.
- First, it boosts engagement and motivation by allowing students to see their peers as active learners and not just passive absorbers of information.
- Second, it provides an opportunity to increase student-student interactions and develop critical communication skills.
- Third, it reduces the likelihood that one particularly gifted student will hog all the attention by giving every member of the class a chance to take on a leadership role.
- Fourth, it provides an opportunity for students to teach classmates who are struggling, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the material while bolstering their own confidence.
How should teachers approach teaching to the middle?
One of the most common errors that teachers make is assuming that all students have the same needs and abilities. While it’s seductively efficient to group students with similar learning profiles, it doesn’t pay off in the long run.
- First, grouping students by ability can lead to low-ability readers getting lost in the mix and never catching up.
- Second, grouping students by ability means that they are all being taught at different paces, which is less effective than teaching them all at the same time.
- Third, grouping students by ability undermines their sense of competence and worth.
Instead, teachers should group students by reading level, and then ensure that all students read the same texts and complete the same tasks at roughly the same pace.
That way those who are struggling have a chance to catch up with those who are already ahead of the pack.
Is it a good idea to give students time to study at home?
When parents ask for proof that homework is beneficial, arguing that they can’t tell their child to read, do math problems, and memorize spelling words after a long day at school, teachers sometimes reply that homework increases academic achievement—and then rattle off a few statistics to prove it.
But according to some psychologists, “homework provides little or no academic benefit for elementary school students.”
So what’s the deal?
What are teachers really hoping to accomplish when they set homework that doesn’t require reading or math skills?
Well, simply put, teachers are trying to get their students to study at home.
Living in the age of iPhones and tablets, students are bombarded with distractions that prevent them from focusing on their schoolwork.
So while teachers don’t expect students to get anything done during after-school hours, they do hope that homework will help them develop the habit of studying regularly—and hopefully get something done when it counts.
Why does it seem so hard to get students to read?
If you ask a classroom of young readers why they don’t enjoy reading, chances are good that their responses will depend on their age and abilities.
In fact, research shows that while some struggling readers say they “don’t like reading,” others admit that they’re simply intimidated by the act of reading.
So what can teachers do when students say they don’t like reading? How can they get students who hate reading to become life-long bookworms?
One study found that after struggling readers completed a semester in which they read books about topics that were personally meaningful, their attitudes toward reading improved dramatically.
That’s why so many teachers create reading lists that include titles students will be interested in—it not only helps motivate them to read but also makes it easier for teachers to draw out students who prefer to remain silent.
What are the pros and cons of differentiating instruction?
One of the biggest challenges teachers face is striking a balance between catering to their student’s academic needs while also meeting their personal goals.
Of course, many classrooms have schedules that include subjects for reading-based learning, experiential learning, music appreciation, etc., but teachers aren’t “allowed” to remove students from a class just because they’re bored.
While teachers know that differentiation is important, many view it as an expensive, time-consuming process—one that’s often too overwhelming to complete successfully.
To make things even more difficult for teachers, federal laws like the No Child Left Behind Act don’t account for learning needs, which means that teachers risk losing funding if their students fail to meet basic academic standards.
Despite those challenges, some educators have found ways to successfully differentiate without compromising students’ access to quality instruction.
In fact, it’s been proven that differentiated lessons can improve test scores and make learning more fun for everyone involved.
What is the value of a learning community?
It’s no secret that many of today’s students struggle to remember information they learn in class; until that changes, it will be difficult for students to meet national standards.
Even more frustrating is the fact that teachers get more money and support when their students demonstrate higher test scores—so why don’t more schools focus on building a strong academic environment?
Well, an educational community isn’t just a place where teachers and students attend class regularly.
Instead, it’s a place where everyone is always involved—and that extends beyond the walls of your classroom.
Research shows that when schools create caring communities by making positive relationships the norm, teachers are significantly less likely to quit their jobs.
It’s also easier for teachers to build strong relationships with students when they have a hand in designing their own lessons.
If you’re worried that it will be difficult to maintain high standards while building supportive learning communities, don’t forget that students’ academic success depends on your ability to meet them where they are.
That means taking the time to get to know each student as an individual—and letting them know that you care.
What’s the best way to teach students who are struggling?
When teachers hire tutors for their students, it usually signals that those students aren’t doing well academically. And while some parents might be thrilled that their child is receiving extra help, others feel guilty, believing that they’re unable to provide quality education.
Of course, no one wants to admit that their child struggles with academics—especially when grades are factored into students’ final scores.
That’s why it’s important to remember that the goal of every student is to feel empowered in an environment where they can succeed—not just be given the right answers.
While teachers know that struggling students deserve extra support, they also understand that it’s important to balance those opportunities with tough lessons and constructive feedback.
Without proper instruction and guidance, struggling students might never learn the skills they need to advance academically—which can lead to frustration all around.
Even if you believe your student is ready for a tutor, it’s important to remember that all students have strengths and weaknesses.
That means you’ll have to be careful when deciding who should get extra help in class—and how often they should receive it.
In addition, some experts recommend giving struggling students the option of working with a teacher or a peer tutor so everyone can benefit from the lesson.
After all, it’s easier for struggling students to work with someone who has a similar background and skill set.
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What are the most effective ways to teach new material?
It might seem impossible to cover new concepts while spending time on review—but there are ways around that challenge. One of the best methods is to put together an interactive lesson that encourages students to draw what they’re learning.
Studies show that nearly 80 percent of the brain is engaged when people are drawing pictures—and it’s why many teachers have their students use graphic organizers in order to remember new information.
There are countless templates online that can help with everything from writing reports to remembering vocabulary terms—so there’s no reason not to try them out.
Even if your school hasn’t invested in the technology you need to make digital graphic organizers, there are still ways for you to engage students with what they’re learning using analog tools.
All that’s required is a little creativity and a willingness to use time outside of class for lesson planning—and, ultimately, better grades.
Conclusion
As you know, every student is different—and that means it’s up to you to meet each one of them where they are. When all students feel valued by their teachers, academic success will follow close behind.
Do you have any tips for how teachers can engage different types of learners? Let us know in the comments!
