3.2.1 Explain why it is important to identify and meet the individual needs of learners
In the lifelong learning sector, teachers will engage with learners who strive to acquire equal hopes, education and future aspirations from their learning. The teachers must understand that they will meet learners with different dynamics and abilities during their teaching career. In some cases, there may be learners who are a challenged to teach due their learning style or learning difficultly. However, it has been said that “no two learners are the same.” CITATION WRa02 l 2057 (Francis, 2002) Therefore, it is important for teachers at the beginning of the academic year to identify the needs of the learners to incorporate individual needs into their delivery.
In order to respond to those needs, teacher will need to conduct initial assessment to have understanding of learner’s prior knowledge as well as their preferred learning style. From the initial assessment the teacher may also be able to identify learners whom have learning difficulties within the class. In order to cater to the learners’ needs, the teacher may place a request to additional learning support team to place a specialised staff member to support the learner in class and reinforce the learning objectives of the lesson taught.CITATION Sus l 2057 (Wallace, 2002)The teacher is then able to tailor lesson plan and delivery to the needs of learner. This allows for learners to approach the curriculum at their current level of knowledge and understanding of the subject being taught. The teacher’s delivery will therefore promote inclusion within the learning environment. Resulting in the learners being able to receive and retain the materials given, thus improving morale and the excitement for learning.
This also enables the cognition aspect, in allowing misunderstandings and misconceptions to be addressed as a group when they arise CITATION MSi94 l 2057 (Simspon, 1994). In my own way of teaching, I apply a scaffolding approach in my delivery CITATION Gab12 l 2057 (Maggioli, 2012). Where I would teach from front of the class using the white board, then assess the leaners learning group, peer and individual assessments. In which the learner is able to identify and rectify their misunderstanding or misconceptions with their peers. Again this type of approach promotes inclusive and peer learning which keeps the learners motivated and engaged to learn. Another approach can be for the teacher to sketch challenge tasks to the learners whom have already achieved an appropriate level to keep them in engaged. Therefore, allowing the teacher to spend more time with the learners whom are struggling. This type of approach allows the teacher to manage the class learning within the session.
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The teacher may also identify that their leaners have personal issues that affect their learning whilst in college. I.e. ill health, stress, lack of parental support, low self-esteem. It is therefore the teacher responsibility to have meet with the learner and create an action plan on how to support the learner learning and their needs.
In identifying the learners individual learning needs, the teacher can then sets SMART targets with the learners to encourage them to take ownership of their own development. If taken seriously by the learners will then motivate them to participate in lesson in order to achieve their targets. This promotes the learners to take responsibility for their own learning. This active engagement leads to a more adaptive learning mentality that can better prepare students for future learning and careers. It also shifts the focus from just the test material, broadening the scope of classroom material.
