Adaptations and Groupings for Diverse Learners.

 Adaptations and Groupings for Diverse Learners

Aug 29, 2020

According to research, flexible grouping is a teaching practice that puts learners into short term groups, to complete the activity as a group activity. These groups could be arranged by the student’s skills or subject knowledge. Group activities are supposed to be enjoyable and likable activities.

Before our teachers assess whom they will pair up with whom, as not to waste any class time, there is to be a pre-activity where an example of the activity and outcome is presented to the learners. This helps with student perspective and also saves additional time.

We often make use of mixed group ability and this method is especially helpful during maths classes whereby learners with higher abilities are grouped with other learners of lesser abilities to complete certain learning activities. We refer to this method as Peer-group support.

The students are encouraged to actively participate and express their viewpoints and concepts during group activities.

Once the students are engaged in the Peer-group work, the Teachers are required to offer support to students who require additional help on the subject matter.

However, this method does not work for all students, as we have found some simply do not participate in the group, get distracted due to no interest and wait for the other members of the group to complete the activity. This leaves some students feeling despondent, as the activity is assessed on the group as a whole, not just individual effort.

Nevertheless, one element to consider why some learners simply to not work well in a team might be due to the fact that they simply lack the social skills to do so.

 

References:

Ford, M.P. (2005). Differentiation through flexible grouping: Successfully reaching all readers. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED489510.pdf