As a key part of classroom differentiation, teachers should establish their students’ learning readiness, interest, and abilities. Scoring learner profiles in these three areas arms teachers with the best strategy to teach mixed-ability classes. Readiness is not synonymous with a student’s ability, and both can influence his or her motivation, as well as external factors. Let’s break down three principal profile differences and what a high, medium, or low rating in each could mean.
Readiness to learn
Learning readiness refers to how well equipped a student is to learn, including circumstantial and environmental factors. A student with a low readiness to learn may be encumbered by difficult personal circumstances in his or her life, or a lower emotional or physical maturity. It can point to external distractions or a personal barrier.
Medium scoring students may have medium or high ability and interest in learning, but they may need some improvements in learning preparation. This can also be the result of changing personal circumstances. Teachers must work hard to engage this student to stop him or her becoming the invisible child.
A highly scoring student may be of an appropriate age to learn a new skill, and is unaffected by any distractions or personal problems. He or she is in a stable, suitable learning environment with a rich supply of learning resources.
Learning ability
The academic capability of a student generally dictates the pace at which he or she can learn. A student with lower ability or slower pace of learning is by no means an indicator for future failings. A student with less ability may be less academically capable than his or her peers, but teachers should be aware this learner may excel in more specific areas.
Students with a medium ability score may find themselves less motivated to learn, particularly if they lack the confidence to perform in groups. While they may not be as reserved as low ability learners, these students may benefit from learning materials with progressively harder tasks to grow their confidence.
A student with a high learning ability score may not present any immediate concerns for teachers or parents, but teachers must ensure this type of learner doesn’t become complacent. This type of student should still be given regular attention and assessment so his or her interests are constantly stimulated to avoid a lack of motivation.
Learning interest
Referring to the levels of motivation a student possesses to learn, learning interest will indicate how passionate learners feel about general and specialized subjects. A student with a low interest score could be feeling unmotivated due to his or her academic ability or disruptive external factors and circumstances. Teachers should assess their ability level to ascertain the situation that is impacting their motivation.
A medium-scoring student could be an averagely performing learner and lack interest in achieving more. This student could be more introverted than their peers, and teachers should work on improving confidence.
A highly motivated student can be a high academic performer across all subjects, or a student with a specific passion for a specialist subject. This type of student should be encouraged to pursue his or her passion to prosper in future.
Once the implications of these three common learning conditions — readiness to learn, learning ability and learning interest — are fully understood, it is important for teachers to address their mixed-ability students using methods of differentiation.
Find ways to engage your classroom with a free demo of our ActivPanel – either virtual, remote, or on-site.
