Emma Veteto

Gjoni

SCED 499

August 29, 2018

InTASC 1 Reflection: Learner Development

The InTASC standards were developed to highlight what is to be expected from an instructor

regarding their understanding of student individuality and the learning process. The first standard,

Learner Development, focuses on the instructor’s understanding of their students as both learners and

human beings, and how these identities influence one another. This standard reinforces the notion that

varying patterns of learning and development are a part of each student’s unique cognitive, social,

linguistic, physical and emotional areas. Bearing these distinctions in mind, adequate instructors should

develop lesson plans that are appropriate, challenging and individualized to meet the needs of their

students.

For example, an instructor collects information about their students’ home lives via a student

worksheet. The worksheet may include a variety of questions that range from “What is your favorite

movie?” to “In what subject do you struggle the most?”. By collecting these answers, the instructor can

develop a lesson plan that considers student interests, strengths and weaknesses. This scenario

exemplifies subtext 1.i. under the Critical Dispositions category: “The teacher is committed to using

learners’ strengths as a basis for growth, and their misconceptions as opportunities for learning.”

In an English classroom, I would take Learner Development into consideration by asking

students to complete an essay assignment in the beginning of the year that implored students to discuss

a bit of information about who they are and how they feel they perform in school. In doing this, I will be

able to assess the student’s interpretation of their own strengths/weaknesses while also seeing them

first hand in the student’s writing ability. Additionally, in order to consider the culture and complexity
language and varying levels of comprehension, I will provide supplementary texts that meet the specific

needs of students who have difficulty grasping the core text. I believe that this standard is crucial in

setting the foundation for a positive classroom environment. By taking the time to understand students

as more than just learners, instructors can begin to personalize their lesson plans to best fit the needs of

their classes.