Field Study 1

Learning Episode 2 – Learner Diversity: Developmental Characteristics, Needs and Interests

Episode 2 provides me an opportunity to observe learners of different ages and grade

level. It highlights the differences in their characteristics and needs. As a future teacher, it is
important for me to determine my learners’ characteristics and needs so that I will be able to
plan and implement learning activities and assessment that are all developmentally
appropriate.

At the end of this Episode, I must be able to describe the characteristics, needs and
interests of learners from different developmental levels.

Activity 2.1 – Observing learner characteristics at different stages

OBSERVE

Name of the School: St. Bridget College

Grade/Year Level: 7 – Patience

Subject Area: English

Teacher: Ms. Mara Jean C. Delocado

Date and Time: March 8 (10:00-10:40) and March 9 (9:00-9:40)

Learners’ Development Matrix

Record the data you gathered about the learners’ characteristics and needs in this
matrix. This will allow you to compare the characteristics and needs of learners at different
levels. The items under each domain are by no means exhaustive. These are just sample
indicators. You may add other aspects which you may have observed.

Development Preschooler Elementary High School

Domain Indicate age range of Indicate age range of Indicate age range of
children observed: children observed: children observed: 12-
_______ _______ 13
Physical No gross-motor skills
Gross-motor skills involved in the
activities and
discussions in
students on both
meetings due to the
 new setup which is
the online learning.

Fine-motor skills Students have the

opportunity to
exercise their fine-
motor skills such
activities are involve
reading their own
book by holding it,
and exercise speaking
skill.

Self-help skills Students are involved

in oral participation
which it could be
beneficial for them to
develop social skill.
Social
Interaction with Clarifications,
teachers questions, and clear
objectives are present
in the teacher-student
interaction.
Furthermore, the
teacher also
motivates the
students to do well in
their subject.
However, due to the
limitations because of
the online learning
set-up, it is hard for
the teacher to
connect with other
learners especially to
those learners who
are not much
participative.

Interaction with Students had given

classmates/friends the opportunity to
interact with their
classmates by
 interactive reading
activity. Furthermore,
the teacher asks
questions in between
discussion to
stimulate interaction
with her students.
However, there are
still some learners
who do not
participate and
engage in class
activities and
discussions.

Interests The questions being

asked by the teacher
are often opinionated
to align in the
student’s interest. I
think in that way, it
would much arouse
the interest and
engagement of the
learners especially in
class discussion.
Emotional
Moods and Through the
temperament, interactive question
expression of and answer strategy
feelings between the teacher
and the students, it
salient that the more
they were able to
speak or convey their
thoughts the more
they become engaged
in the discussion.

Emotional Through the

independence interactive activity, I
observed that
learners are more
 likely learn emotional
independence where
they try to work in
building their self-
esteem, to be
confident in
conveying their
feelings and thoughts.
Another thing is it is
an opportunity for
them to take control
of what they should
do without asking
someone.
Cognitive
Communication I am amazed that
skills most of the students
in the class are fluent
in speaking even
though they are only
Grade 7. They are
more able to express
their themselves in
English than in Filipino
language. However,
there are still
students who are not
much fluent in
speaking.

Thinking skills As I’ve mentioned

that most of the
questions are
opinionated, students
were able to think a
response quickly
where I think it is a
good skill for them to
stimulate their brain
to work rapidly.

Problem solving As the students

participate in the
 interactive reading
activity, the teacher
gives guide questions
regarding the reading
text where some of
questions are
situational where it is
a good opportunity
for students to know
learning strategies for
their cognitive skill
more improved.

ANALYZE
Write the most salient developmental characteristics of the learners you observed.
Based on these characteristics, think of implications for the teacher.

Level Salient Characteristics Implications to the Teaching-Learning

Observed Process
High School  Most of the students are  Therefore, the teacher should think of
Age range of not participative in class new activities and strategies which can
learners observed: oral recitation. stimulate student’s interest especially in
12-13 class discussion.
 Integrate different activities that are
aligned on student’s interest that would
make the learning fun and interesting.

 Students were not able  The teacher should get the main key of
to express themselves what the student trying to convey in
clearly. that way, the student would still
encourage to participate in oral
discussion.

 Students are fluent in  As the learners are much fluent in

expressing their speaking in such an early grade 7 in
thoughts in English. secondary level, the teacher should also
stimulate fluency the writing aspect of
the students.
 Integrate writing proficiency in class
discussion to improve the writing skill of
each learner.
REFLECT
1. While you were observing the learners, did you recall your own experiences when you
were their age? What similarities or differences do you have with the learners you
observed?

Yes, it’s like I went back in the past and reminisce my high school memories. To
be honest, I am not a diligent student back then. I just only comply in the given
requirements, but I do not give my 100% effort on my works. I also not much the kind of
student who actively participate in class and engage myself in school activities. I regret it
because I know now that I am capable, but I cannot bring the past. However, I am
fascinated on what I observed in the learners today especially in this new teaching-learning
education we have, they really striving to learn. Students have a certain desire which they
keep themselves dicsover things about the world. It is like no pandemic could hinder them
in yearning new learning. But still this new setup of learning is not easy, but everyone –
teachers and students are both striving to have a memorable and remarkable teacher and
learning experience.

2. Think of a teacher you cannot forget for positive or negative reasons. How dis she/he
help or not help you with your needs (physical, emotional, social, and cognitive)? How
did it affect you?

Probably, my adviser during my Grade 11 would be the most influential teacher I

encountered. She is proficient in teaching her subject and she can easily get along with our
class. She ensures that everyone of us is doing well in all our subjects. Sometimes, we vent
out our rants to her regarding on our subjects and she is open to listen on them. I aspire to
be like her – open to her students and proficient in the teaching field. However, I also
encounter a teacher who probably cause us apprehension. It was also in my Grade 11 year
who taught us in the subject area of Basic Calculus. Honestly, our section is not much
diligent when it comes in problem solving. There are only few students who are capable to
answer a problem and the rest are incapable. This teacher of mine told us “bobo” and at
first, we only laugh at it because we do not mind at all. But now that I am in pursuit of being
a teacher, I see it as inappropriate approach in students. Honestly, I have fright feeling every
time I solve a problem in math and as I encountered that teacher it doubled up the feeling.
It affected me negatively that I become reluctant in aiming to improve my problem-solving
skill. It is saddening that even we are in the 21 st century learning there are students who still
encounter this kind of teacher.

3. Share your other insights here.

Grateful for giving me an opportunity to observe in a high school class despite
this new setup of education. It also a great chance for me to learn different approaches and
strategies on my future students. Aside from that, I could encounter diverse learners which
it will prepare me on how I should manage diverse learners and stimulate their interest in
class discussion. I am definitely looking forward in other sections that I am assigned with so
that I can have more perspective on how I can deal with other learners.

SHOW Your Learning Artifacts

Which is your favorite theory of development. How can this guide you as a future
teacher? Clip some readings about this theory and paste/copy them here.

In my personal choice, Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development which it gives us the

summary of what significant events happened in every stage of a person. However, I would
like to highlight the only stage where the high school learners are in which is the
adolescence stage. Identity versus isolation is the fifth stage of ego according to Erikson’s
theory of psychosocial development. This stage occurs during adolescence between the
ages of approximately 12 and 18. During this stage, adolescents explore their independence
and develop a sense of self.

During the identity versus confusion stage, the conflict is centered on developing a
personal identity. Successfully completing this stage leads to a strong sense of self that will
remain throughout life.
As they transition from childhood to adulthood, teens may begin to feel confused or
insecure about themselves and how they fit into society. As they seek to establish a sense of
self, teens may experiment with different roles, activities, and behaviors. According to
Erikson, this is important to the process of forming a strong identity and developing a sense
of direction in life.
Teen behavior often seems unpredictable and impulsive, but all of this is part of the
process of finding a sense of personal identity. Parents and family members continue to
exert an influence on how teens feel about themselves, but outside forces also become
particularly important during this time. Friends, social groups, schoolmates, societal trends,
and even popular culture all play a role in shaping and forming an identity. Those who
receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge
from this stage with a strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control. Those
who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will remain insecure and confused about
themselves and the future.
Those who are successful develop fidelity, a psychological virtue characterized by the
ability to relate to others and form genuine relationships. Kids who are not allowed to
explore and test out different identities might be left with what Erikson referred to as role
confusion. These individuals are not sure who they are or what they like. They tend to drift
from one job or relationship to another, never really sure what they want to do with their
lives. Instead of feeling a sense of personal cohesiveness, they are left feeling disappointed
and confused about their place in life.

Source:
 https://www.verywellmind.com/identity-versus-confusion-2795735

Reality check, this stage in the Erikson’s Psychosocial Development is really happened in
high school learners where they seek who they real are. As mentioned of Erikson that this
stage is an important in the life of an individual because in this way, they develop and grow
their self-esteem and be confident on who they are if they are encouraged by the people
surround them. This theory would a big help for me to always be minded in shaping the
learners. As a future teacher, I should create a classroom environment where they feel the
security and sense of belonginess. In that way, I could help in developing their identity and
be who they are. Encouragement is a crucial part in high school learners. As a future
teacher, I should ensure that I could be able to provide this even in simple ways. I still far
from the finish line to become a teacher, but I should not waste this time for me to think
ways how I can be prepared in the future for me able to build an environment for my
students to develop a sense of direction in life.