Throughout my time at Butler, I have been exposed to students who perform to their best in different environments. Some students prefer to learn through theatrics; while other thrive working independently. Some students work best with numbers, while others learn through group work. It is the job of the teacher to discover students' strengths.
For example. students with disabilities may show enormous growth over a span of time; however, when they are exposed to standardized tests, they may not respond well to the formatting of the test.
The wonderful thing about teaching is that every day, is a new journey. Not one day is the same as the last. It’s the challenge to create lessons that tend to the needs of all learners. I couldn't agree more with Dr. Howard Gardner, who states that “an educational system that assumes that everyone can learn the same materials in the same way should be challenged.” He determined that humans attract to specific strengths, or learning styles. Students should be aware of their strengths as means of success in the classroom. However, students should also be prepared to accept areas where they may struggle. Personally, I learn best when there is movement (bodily-kinesthetic) and interaction (interpersonal) involved. I knew growing up that I thrive in the athletic scene and during group projects. I even enjoy theater, drawing, coloring, dancing, and music. I think that by differentiating instruction, creating interactive lessons, and integrating the arts into daily instructions are ways to be sure students’ needs are met.
I believe students thrive in a classroom that pushes their thinking within a zone of proximal development. The best learning does not happen when answers are given to students. The best learning occurs when students are challenged to think critically and deeper in a topic. Allowing time for students to collaborate and share ideas is a common practice that I strive to incorporate in my classroom.
"What the child is able to do in collaboration today, he will be able to do independently tomorrow." - Lev Vygotsky
In terms of assessment, I am a huge advocate for informal assessment. This could be anywhere from student observations, student work, listening and recording student conversations, check for understanding games, etc. I feel as though students perform better when the situation is relaxed.
On the other hand, I understand, through my student teaching and experiences in the classroom, the importance of formal assessments. This includes quizzes, tests, and the ever-dreaded standardized tests that are all important for data tracking and student progress.
On the left, you will see my cumulative chart from my assessments class. I interviewed multiple people ranging from students, pre-service teachers, first year teachers, principals, and social workers. All subjects agreed on the importance of assessment following the learning styles of each student.