Catering for Learner Diversity
Every class is composed of individuals who are different from each other in terms of maturity, motivations, abilities, learning styles, aspirations, interests, aptitudes and socio-economic backgrounds. Catering for learner diversity is a significant and challenging consideration in determining learning and teaching objectives, contents, levels and methods.; Schools and teachers should be aware of the characteristics of the SS curriculum and assessment framework and make full use of them to address student needs. In general, learner diversity can be catered for at the curriculum planning level, classroom learning and teaching level and student support level. These are to be facilitated by supporting conditions at the systemic level (e.g. funding flexibilities) and school organisation level (e.g. human resources deployment, communication with parents). Figure 7.1 illustrates the interrelationship at different levels.
Curriculum planning level
Student support level
The level of support provided may be adjusted to cater for students of different abilities. For example, enrichment/ remedial classes, pull-out programmes/ activities and peer groupings might be employed. Educational software packages may also be used to provide different levels of challenge to students. Schools may consider extending school hours to provide other extension or enrichment programmes.
Building positive school ethos in order to value diversity and individual differences as well as uniformity | ||
Devising a whole-school policy to recognise all-round achievement of students and indicating that every student can achieve | ||
Widening subject choices (including ApL courses) | ||
Sharing effective pedagogy and assessment strategies | ||
Formulating a flexible time-table | ||
Strengthening communication with parents (e.g. discussing student progress) | ||
Fostering community partnerships to motivate student to participate in a wide range of l earning activities. |
Reflective Question What measures have been adopted in your school to cater for learner diversity at student, class/ group and curriculum levels? Source: http://cd1.edb.hkedcity.net/cd/cns/sscg_web/html/english/main07.html |