Week12-13: Individual Differences and Learners’ Interaction

It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to

recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.
-Audre
Lorde
Introduction
It is important for teachers to know variables such as physical characteristics,
intelligence, perception, gender, ability, learning styles, which are individual differences
of the learners. An effective and productive learning-teaching process can be planned
by considering these individual differences of the students. Since the learners' own
learning speeds and interests vary, these characteristics should be taken into
consideration by the teacher.
Intended Learning Outcomes
COURSE MODULE

Demonstrate understanding and acceptance of the learners’ diverse backgrounds

 Identify best practices in dealing with diversity in the classroom
Performance Criteria
Quality of my observation and documentation
Completeness and depth of my analysis
depth and clarity of my classroom observation-based reflections completeness,
organization, clarity of my portfolio; and
time of submission of portfolio.
Learning Essentials
An effective teacher who celebrates student diversity in her classroom: uses strategies to
build a caring community in the classroom models respect and acceptance of different
cultures and religions Students are involved in the design of rules and procedures
Brings each of the student’s home culture and language into the shared culture of the
school
Map
Step 1. Identify two or more learners of different abilities but from the same grade/year

Step 2. Find out some information about their background

Step 3. Observe them as they participate in a classroom activity and how the teacher addresses
their needs

Step 4. Write a narrative report and brief reflection on your experience.

Tools

An Observation Guide for Individual Differences

Read the following carefully before you begin to observe. Then write
your observation report on the space provided on the next page.

1. Observe the class to see the differences in abilities of the learners.