Mixed Ability Classes and How Teachers Can Face This Challenge

Mixed Ability Classes and How Teachers Can Face This Challenge Introduction Mixed ability classes and teaching is a kind of education strategy where students can work together with teachers despite the differences in individual skills, personal interests, personalities and learning needs. Despite the fact that most classes are often multi-level, instructors, particularly the less experienced find giving instruction to such classes a very tasking job.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mixed Ability Classes and How Teachers Can Face This Challenge specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The work of lesson planning for every student as determined by the different learning abilities and styles is quite challenging. The teaching styles have to correspond to the students’ capabilities and learning styles, but the classes often have a great variation in these abilities. Nonetheless, non-homogeneous class can be looked at in a positive manner because it serves as trigger for instructorsâ €™ professional growth and development. This is because it calls for the use of a variety of strategies, teaching styles, responsibilities and interaction patterns. Theoretical Framework Mixed-ability classes are groupings of students who have greatly varying capabilities, motivation for learning, experiences, interests, learning needs, learning styles, Language, cultural background among other characteristics (Baker 2002, p. 25). These classes are also multileveled hence pose varying degrees of challenge to the teacher based on how multileveled they are (Baker 2002, p. 45). It’s pertinent to distinguish between the mixed ability classes and teaching because whereas the class could be mixed in terms of the student abilities, the teachers may not be employing mixed ability teaching styles. Common Challenges as a result of the differences in class include; Getting all the students to pay attention, learn and take part in class Avoid boring the fast learners (Tomlinson 2005 , p. 262) Avoiding loosing focus as younger students or slow learners can feel intimidated by stronger learners Planning different activities for the varied needs of the learners Grouping may demean weaker students and may refuse to go to lower groups Ireson and Hallam (2003, p. 56) proposed that instructors needed to appreciate the different or varied abilities of the students because it is natural for children to develop at different rates. As a result, the student would prefer different thing ranging from learning styles and how they present they work.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More All the students would demonstrate a range of abilities with strengths at different times of study sometimes based on the topic under study or the style of teaching being used (Ireson Hallam 2001, p. 56). When students are taught with their preferred style of learning, they are likely to pe rform just as good. Regardless of the place or the type if school, the existence of mixed ability classes are inevitable. Each individual has unique characteristics and need which are very different from the rest of the students in several aspects (Ireson Hallam 2001, p. 57). Gender, attitudes, intelligence, confidence, motivation, language development, ethnicity, age and culture play a very big role in determining the learning preferences of each student. Teachers should consider all the different factors and assess particular situations of different groups. The ultimate objective is to ensure that all the students make progress in academic performance (Tomlinson 2005, p. 262). This means, teachers have to make the most for this to take place and it entail monitoring and detecting differences among the students. Baker (2002, p. 45) gives an argument that, teaching was not all about having children in class that is the challenge but that each of the required attention because of th e differ ability level. She further explains that keeping the student attentive to the lesion was very difficult in such classes. They can generally have poor motivation and can get frustrated because, the poor students may not be attended to because of time constraints (Baker 2002, p. 45). Additionally, the learning style may not match the teaching approach and the students many seem uncooperative and lose attention easily hence precipitating into commotion in the class. Lesson planning and preparation of teaching material consume a lot of time for the different students. This could sometimes make the teachers feel inadequately prepared and not able to cope with the class as Hess (2001, p, 78) identifies.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mixed Ability Classes and How Teachers Can Face This Challenge specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Teaching a mixed ability class can be taught efficiently when the teacher appreciates that the whole class cannot be taught by controlling the class from the front. The students are well taught if they are they are permitted to learn as individuals (Hess 2001, p, 78). However, this may fail when the teacher insists on teaching the students as a group of homogenous individuals or average students. It would be unrealistic to expect that students with different capabilities to learn through the lesson and curriculum at the same pace (Susan Judith 2005, p. 5). Important Factors for Working with Mixed-ability Classes Creating a Proper Atmosphere It is pertinent that the teacher creates positive learning atmosphere where students can feel relaxed and at ease to express their strengths and weaknesses (Hess 2001, p, 78). There is a very strong connection between a good class atmosphere, good behaviour and classroom management. In order to create the best learning environment, it’s pertinent that the teacher establishes a good relationship with the students. For inst ance, the teacher can ensure that he/she learns the names of the students fast enough and also find out more information on their lives, cultures, language, weaknesses and interests (Susan Judith 2005, p. 6). This can be done in the initial stages of the class where students can be asked to write detailed essay about themselves. Anxiety could be a barrier for the students (Brown 2002, p. 76) especially when they are afraid of making mistakes in the class and be laughed at by the rest of the students. Teachers should not depend so much on the precision but to concentrate on individual competence and develop situations with composed and welcoming environment. The students will be made to know that it is usual to make mistakes and it was part of learning. The teacher should set the rules for learning to the students. Organization is important for the good atmospheres (Brown 2002, p. 76). The teacher should explain the importance if each lesson with objectives clearly outlined. Clear i nstructions should be given to the students at the beginning of each lesson. Assessment is very important for the teacher as it will him/her to find out how the lesson went on and how to improve.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Responsibility for Students It is important to make students be part of the process of assessing learning by creating small discussion groups with the instructor. For instance the instructor can discuss with the students how the assignment went and the issues that could be improved among others. Brown 2002, p. 67 stresses the significance of assisting students in identifying their learning strategies to enable them to develop better study skills that work best for them. Hess (2001, p. 78) insists on the importance of collaboration and cooperation especially where they monitor their own work, their classmates’ and give feedback. This would allow them to take responsibilities. Clear Instruction This is one of the best means of dealing with mixed ability classes in terms of teaching. The instructor should present easy instructions as this would make students decipher the meaningfulness of the instructions faster (Brown 2002, p. 61). Tasks can be introduced by use of different me thods so that various students’ abilities can be addressed (Baker 2002, p. 45). When the teacher explains concepts, it is proper that he/she uses proper, relevant and concrete illustrations. The various methods of teaching reinforce the students’ ability to understand (Brown 2002, p. 69). After the instruction, teachers should allow their students some time to think them over and even discuss with their classmates and ask for clarifications. It is also appropriate for the instructor to plan complex tasks in manageable steps because unclear presentation of tasks to students or ambiguous instructions can result into more problems. Some of the students could find the lesson too hard (Hess 2001, p, 78), some could even give up trying while a few would be comfortable. Motivation and Differentiation Leiding 2002, p. 37, categorically explains that the personal interests of the students, their experiences, emotions and ideas should be incorporated into lesson plans. Extensive has been conducted on the significance of considering these aspects and the results indicate that they are likely to develop better understanding when teaching is based in their internal motivation (Tomlinson 2005, p. 262). It was traditionally thought when teachers insist on the experiences and interests of their students as well as on prior knowledge was a disregard of scientific methods. Currently, these considerations have the backing of cognitive research which has demonstrated that learning was a process of constructing meaning out on new information or unfamiliar events with regard to familiar ideas and experiences (Leiding, 2002, p. 38). Teachers should also make use of student –centres activities and the content of instruction should be based on the learning needs of the students. This can be achieved by allowing them to freely express themselves when learning like in writing or speaking. This could be about event their watched or experiences they went through. Hess , 2001, p. 79 emphasizes that students should share their opinions in class as they connect and related to their experiences, this should also be done with regard to their future plans. Differentiation is used for motivate students and this can be done in three aspects of education; the teaching material, the process of teaching and the product. Material can be differentiated in terms of visual, audio or both presentations (Tomlinson 2001, p. 67). The process can be class discussions, group works, individual assignments etc. the product can be differentiated based on how students are able to present what they learned like in a test or an examination. Solutions to Specific Challenges in Mixed Ability Classes In order to give children a chance to benefit from the lesson being taught, it is paramount to consider the differences among them in lesson plan preparation and implementation. In order to even plan for future classes (Baker 2002, p. 48), the teachers need to understand the poss ible challenges and the possible best solutions for multi-ability classes. Some of the challenges are already highlighted in previous paragraphs, however, these are the solutions to some of them; Resources and materials for teaching Most learning material like text books and curricula are developed and designed for average students and for homologous classes. For the multi-ability class, students respond differently to these materials (Leiding 2002, p. 38). This means the teacher will difficulty in finding the appropriate teaching material to fit needs of the class. The solution would be to adapt some material from elsewhere to address these needs like simplifying the language (Baker 2002, p. 56). The teacher can design new material to use for teaching like using pictures to illustrate objects in class. Tasks for students Some weaker students could find course book homework very difficult. As a result they often fail to carry out their assignments hence lag behind as the teacher mov es ahead with other students (Susan Judith 2005, p. 9). In order to ensure that these students get to learn as well, the teacher can develop easier version of the same home work for them (Hess 2001, p, 81). The teacher can give cues to help students to figure out for themselves how to do the homework like reducing multiple choices which could be confusing. The instructor can encourage group work and open ended tasks which will allow students independence to express their opinions and work at their own paces. Individual strengths, needs and interests In a multi-ability class each student has his/her own interests and needs and this is what builds their attitude towards learning and the instructor. The teacher may fail to know the interests, strengths and needs of his/her students. This will mean there will be no connection among them and they will not blend well in class (Leiding 2002, p. 38). The solution is that the teacher should take interest in the students’ likes and di slikes, language abilities and culture. He/she may try to find out the topics or subjects that interest each student hence derive their possible interest from this. Engaging students in a wide range of activities and assessing them would help the teacher to identify the strengths of the students based on their involvement and performance (Hess 2001, p, 82). Participation because of language development differences and prior knowledge, the level of participation in class activities is often varied because some students lack confidence while other are pushy and pestering ready to express themselves. The teacher can solve the problem of variation by employing different activities in the lesion to match different intelligences (Brown 2002, p. 73). The teacher should not concentrate only on the extrovert students but also call on the shy ones to contribute their opinions. Student groups should be mixed as well. Conclusion In education, working with mixed abilities classes in particular, the teacher is an important element. This is because she/he is the manager of the classroom and therefore in charge. The teacher can determine whether the instruction achieves the objectives of learning or not. The difference students all depend on the direction of the teacher. This is the reason why, the strengths and weaknesses of the students in mixed ability class can be addressed specifically by developing good atmosphere, introducing motivation, responsibility and given children personal responsibilities. Adopting a flexible methodology of teaching mixed ability classes is the most challenging undertaking for teachers, they have to invest a lot of time and energy in designing lesson plans and they are required to learn new management an organizational skills an undertaking that could stretch beyond their pedagogical skills. Reference List Baker J. 2000. The English Language Teacher’s Handbook: How to Teach Large Classes with Few Resources. New York: Continum: London: Ca ssel Brown D.H. 2002. Strategies for Success: A Practical Guide to Learning English. New York: Longman Hess N. 2001. Teaching Large Multilevel Classes, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Ireson I., Hallam, S. 2001. Ability Grouping In Education, London: Paul Chapman Publishing Leiding D. 2002. The Won’t Learners: An Answer to Their Cry. Lanham: Scarecrow Press Susan H. Judith I. 2005. Secondary School Teachers Pedagogic Practices When Teaching Mixed And Structured Ability Classes, Research Papers In Education, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 3-24 Tomlinson C. A. (2005). Grading and Differentiation: Paradox or Good Practice? Theory into Practice, 44(3), 262-269 Tomlinson C. 2001. How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms, Alexandria, VA: ASCD Professional

Leadership and managment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Leadership and managment - Assignment Example Being prepared to deal with conflicting staff allows management to implement several strategic tactics to dissolve conflict resolution and restore solace to the workplace. Diversity has emerged in the hiring practices of the work place in the areas of race, age, gender, religion and most recently culture. The globalization of the business world has jolted corporations to embrace diversity in order to maximize competitiveness and optimize human resources. However, the array of differences can lead to misunderstandings and unfortunately workplace contention. Supervision has to be well prepared to counteract confusion. Both authors Craig E. Runde and Tim A. Flanagan (2008: 92), authors of the book Effective Leadership Stems from Ability to Handle Conflict, believe that â€Å"most effective leaders are extraordinarily competent at handling conflict.† An example of such an experience is the feel-good movie Glory Road. The movie is based on The Texas Westerns college basketball team in 1966 who won the NCAA championship while promoting diversity. The coach of the team, Don Haskins, pioneered diversity by recruiting players deemed best for the positions and sidestepping traditional hiring practices. The hiring of the new folks in nontraditional roles is an exemplary example of effective leadership. These are attributes of a true leader as the attainment of the desired result outweighs skepticism and cynicism. Peter F. Drucker (1994: 100) article â€Å"The Theory of the Business† reveals that a valid theory of business suggests that the assumptions about environment, mission and core competencies must fit reality. The example of coach Haskin has to be the pinnacle of addressing conflict. Throughout the movie, strong interpersonal attitudes clashed among team members. Fights erupted and tempers boiled. In one particular scene, teammates squared off and the season

Macro1.2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Macro1.2 - Essay Example That is, if it is taking place on the production side or the consumption side. Where there spillover benefits occur as a result of production, there is either overproduction or underproduction. In case of underproduction, there is need to boost production and this can be achieved through provision of subsidies in order to encourage firms to produce more. In case of overproduction, the firms’ potential is high and resources available for production meet an output that exceeds the actual demand. To correct this, the firms would have to be taxed more in order to make the production process expensive, bringing down the level of produced output in the firms. Access to public television is not prohibited to any individual. All those who consume the benefits that come with the good have not necessarily paid for it. On the same note, if there are costs needed for upgrading or improved the premises form where the television is watched from, not every person will take part in that initiative. In this case, where there are costs or benefits attached to that good, there are consumers who do not take part in any activity that pertains to the provision of that good, whether they enjoy it or not. Government expenditure for goods and services is defined by the level of government spending on public goods and services. The government provides to the society goods and services that cannot be provided through the market mechanism sue to problems of externalities. Goods and services bought by the government for to benefit the society as well as government investments in the various sectors of the economy constitute government expenditure. Government expenditure is financed by taxes, returns on government investments, revenues from state owned enterprises, donations and borrowing from individuals, groups of people, financial institutions, Central Bank and from other countries (Gupta, Mandal & Gupta, 2008). Examples of government

Censorship of Electronic Communication Systems Essay Example for Free

Censorship of Electronic Communication Systems Essay Communication system of society is changing rapidly with the time. In ancient ages people use to communicate with shouting. If people are much more apart from one another the letter writing was the only means of communication just before 500 years. Due to rapid development of science, now a days a message can be passed to millions of people who all are scattered in whole world by a simple electronic communication system. Due to electronic communication devices true as well as false message can be spread to the people with in short time, this may cause negative impact on society and country. For shake of betterment sometime it is necessary to censor some of the news, ideas, books etc in the electronic communication. Electronic Communication. Every day, in our work and in our leisure time, we come in contact with and use a variety of modern communication systems and communication media, the most common being the telephone, radio, television, and the Internet. Through these media we are able to communicate (nearly) instantaneously with people on different continents, transact our daily business, and receive information about various developments and events of note that occur all around the world. Electronic mail and facsimile transmission have made it possible to rapidly communicate written messages across great distances. Facebook, twiter, Hi5, blogs, online radio, online newspaper etc are the easiest way to spread a news or rumor. Censorship. Censorship the control of the information and ideas circulated within a society has been a hallmark of dictatorships throughout history. In the 20th Century, censorship was achieved through the examination of books, plays, films, television and radio programs, news reports, and other forms of communication for the purpose of altering or suppressing ideas found to be objectionable or offensive. The rationales for censorship have varied, with some censors targeting material deemed to be indecent or obscene; heretical or blasphemous; or seditious or treasonous. Thus, ideas have been suppressed under the guise of protecting three basic social institutions: the family, the church, and the state. Censorship is the suppression of speech or other public communication which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient as determined by a government, media outlet, or other controlling body. It can be done by governments and private organizations or by individuals who engage in self-censorship. It occurs in a variety of different contexts including speech, books, music, films, and other arts, the press, radio, television, and the Internet for a variety of reasons including national security, to control obscenity, child pornography, and hate speech, to protect children, to promote or restrict political or religious views, and to prevent slander and libel. It may or may not be legal. Many countries provide strong protections against censorship by law, but none of these protections are absolute and it is frequently necessary to balance conflicting rights in order to determine what can and cannot be censored. Example of Censorship: 1. Mobile network coverage was not allowed in Chittagong hill districts for insurgency problem. Insurgents and miscreants used to communicate with each other and operate against general people. 2. Censorship is also imposed on social media like facebook, tweeter, YouTube in many Muslim country like Syria, Pakistan , Bangladesh, Indonesia etc for protesting against disrespect to their beloved prophet. 3. People below 18 years are not allowed to watch or visit some of the adult site or web/books. 4. Recently in our country its one of the hot topic .Some blogger insulted our beloved prophet through the blog. To stop violation among people Bangldesh government stop some of the blogs. Benefits of Censorship It is evident that the hotly debated issue concerning media censorship is hardly started, especially in today’s ever changing media. With the ever changing medial rules and regulations, media authorities are always on their toes with regards to evaluating what is fit for publication or broadcast. This article aims at highlighting both the pros and cons of censorship. 1. National Issue: a. In present days a country involve in developing nuclear weapon impasses ban on telecasting or broadcasting any news regarding nuclear weapon subject. b. A scandal or spreading obnoxious picture of very high official of the country needs a immediate censorship on electronic midea. 2. Censorship on news: During martial law special censorship is done in print and electronic media. 3. Protects young children. The most obvious benefit of censorship includes radical regulations aimed at protecting children from obscene content. Moreover, media censorship help prevent hate speech and other organizations that spread hate ideologies. By filtering media content, parents are sure that their children are safe from obscene content. 4. Upholds social value Internet censorship, on the other hand suppresses the sharing of information to such an extent that some websites are not accessible. In fact, some countries from different parts of the world have installed internet/media censorship to help keep the values and tradition restored/ or alive. With that said, media censorship plays an essential role in safeguarding moral and social value in the society. 5. Protects against sexism and racism We are all familiar with the saying that our children are future leaders. Many folks have devoted their time to molding their children’s ‘’future’’. Since children learn from their peers and what they see on television, media censorship aims to protect them against sexism, racism and segregation. That way, children are raised well and with admirable social values.

MP3 File Sharing Hurts America Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Essay

MP3 File Sharing Hurts America Before the present time of computers and various media player technology, trading music files on the internet was practically unheard of. Today MP3 music files have become file format that is widely â€Å"swapped† over the internet. The problem with trading MP3's is that it violates copyright laws. However, this hasn’t stopped the tens of millions of file sharing software users who continue swap MP3’s. MP3 piracy is a costly business for many companies, and the disadvantages outweigh the advantages of â€Å"P2P† file sharing. File sharing is a costly, illegal practice that hurts not only the consumers, but the artists as well. MP3 is a relatively new form of piracy, only being around for about ten years. The fact that the MP3 format takes up as little as one megabyte for a one minute clip, makes it an attractive storage factor for pirates. And with the CD-R and CD-RW drives, people can convert MP3 files to common CD format, burn to a CD, and play in any CD player, and be listening to a mix of their favorite songs within a half hour of downloading the song. With MP3 players becoming more and more popular options in cars, you can burn MP3 files directly to a CD without converting to a standard audio file and have over six hours of music on a single CD! â€Å"It is estimated that such illegal product costs the music industry more than 300 million dollars a year domestically.† This is why the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is taking a strong stance against MP3 piracy. The damage done to the recording industry in lost profits, increased prices, and lost jobs is overwhelming. In an attempt to put a damper on file swapping, and recapture lost revenue the RIAA has been suing people ... ... released in January that surveyed 1,358 Internet users in late fall found the number of Americans downloading music dropped by half from six months earlier, with 17 million fewer people doing it nationwide. I find that to be an impressive figure. The damage done to the music industry as well as genuine consumers of the music industry is huge. Online pirates are costing the music industry millions and millions of dollars in lost revenue. The chances of these pirates being caught are constantly increasing. Even though the anti-piracy organizations have made considerable progress, their current anti-piracy methods will not completely stop online piracy. Until these organizations can increase copyright protection, and inform the uneducated pirates who believe their points are valid, they will be fighting an up hill battle, no matter how many lawsuits they file.

First person point of view in “Raymond’s Run” and “Cathedral” Essay

The authors of â€Å"Raymond’s Run† and â€Å"Cathedral†, both use a first person point of view in their short stories. In â€Å"Raymond’s Run†, by Toni Cade Bambara, the first person point of view shows how the narrator is dealing with the situations around her and maturing in the process. In â€Å"Cathedral†, by Raymond Carver, the reader can see the change in the narrator’s understanding of the blind man through different situations that happens throughout the story. Both authors have similar purposes in mind when they were writing the story, they both wanted to show the growth and transition of the narrators. The use of the first person point of view makes it easier for the readers to see the thoughts and emotions that are being experienced by the narrator, which will give us a better insight into their thinking and actions. In â€Å"Raymond’s Run†, the narrator of the story is Hazel, and the whole story is seen through her eyes. In the beginning of the story, the reader finds out that Hazel looks after her older brother with a mental disorder. She does not mind looking after her brother, and she is also really protective of him because many people like to make fun of him and he also gets himself in trouble. Hazel’s protectiveness of her brother can be seen when Hazel says, â€Å"If anybody has anything to say to Raymond, anything about his big head, they have to come by me†. She is also a very boastful little girl, especially when it comes to her running, she thinks that no one can even come close to her running speed. Her boastfulness can bee seen in the third paragraph when she says, â€Å"There is no track meet that I don’t win the first place medal†. As the story moves along, Hazel bumps into a gang of girls that she does not really like and confronts them. She especially does not like Gretchen because Gretchen is Hazel’s main competitor. Then a transition occurs when Raymond is calling Hazel and â€Å"rattling the fence like a gorilla in a cage†. She realizes that she already has a lot of medals and ribbons, but Raymond has nothing, and also realizes that Raymond is a very fast runner who has the potential to become a winner. So, it does not matter if she wins, loses or ties the race because she can always retire and coach Raymond. Through the first person point of view, the reader can see the personal experiences that Hazel goes through, and how she came to understand that: winning was not everything, she should help others enjoy winning and  she could gain respect for someone through competition. In â€Å"Cathedral†, husband is telling the story from his point of view, which is in first person. The reader can see that in the beginning of the story, the narrator appears to be hostile and irritated because his wife invites her blind friend to stay for the night. The husband does not want the blind man to stay at his house because he does not understand the blind man and the blind man’s relationship with his wife. To alleviate some of his uneasiness, the narrator makes a brainless comment to his wife about taking the blind man bowling. Then, when the blind man comes, he asks the blind man which side of the train was he sitting on. Gradually, as the evening wears on, the narrator begins to relax with the blind man. They start drinking and smoking weed together, eventually the narrator turns on the television. When the show on cathedrals is showing, the narrator tries to describe a cathedral in words to the blind man. When that does not succeed, the blind man asks the narrator to help draw a cathedral. They start by having the blind man hold the narrator’s hand as he draws a cathedral on a paper bag. The blind man tells the narrator to close his eyes and draw. So the narrator complies and closes his eyes and draws, saying, â€Å"So we kept on with it. His fingers rode my fingers as my hand went over the paper. It was like nothing in my life up to now†. The ending reveals to us that the narrator is learning more about himself and human communication than the blind man is learning about cathedrals. Through the first person point of view, the experience of the successful communication between the blind man and the narrator allows the reader to see the transformation that occurs in the narrator. In both of the stories, the authors basically have the same purpose in mind when they are using the first person point of view. From all the events that happened to Hazel in â€Å"Raymond’s Run†, it is clear that the author used the first person point of view to see the change and growth in her thinking. Hazel went from a very anti feminine, competitive and straightforward little girl to a mature, and respectful little girl. In â€Å"Cathedral†, the author uses the husband as the narrator because the author wants us to see how the husband interacts with the blind man and slowly understands him. With the first person point of view, the author generally wants their readers to get  a more personal understanding of the narrator and how they see things. Therefore, in both these stories, the authors’ purpose was to show the changes that occur to the narrators of each story.

Sample Essay Rubric for Elementary Teachers