BECOMING A TEACHER, 7eChapter 8

Addressing Learners’

Individual Needs

How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop?

Stages of Development - refers to the predictable changes that all human beings undergo as they progress through life Physically – changes occur with size, hair, etc. Cognitively – mental capabilities expand Socially – learn to interact more effectively with other people Morally – greater appreciation for equity, justice, and fairness

Because no two students progress through the stages of development in quite the same way, teachers need to be… Flexible Dynamic And create useful meaningful activities

How does the Mind Change with Age and Experience?

Cognitive development – “The process of acquiring the intellectual ability to learn from interaction with one’s environment.”

It involves the changes in the mental processes that underlie all learning and performance. (Alexander, 2006)

This includes perception, reasoning, problem solving, and verbal facility (Alexander, 2006)

Jean Piaget (1896-1980) – Known as “The Father of Cognitive Development”

How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop?

Piaget’s Model of Cognitive Development said... children reason differently from adults children learn through actively interacting with their

environment the rate of progress varies from individual to individual children’s thinking progresses through 4 cognitive stages

“Children have real understanding only of that which they invent themselves, and each time that we try to teach them something too quickly, we keep them from reinventing it themselves.”

How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop?

Piaget’s stages of cognitive growth

Concrete Operations(7-11 years)

PreoperationalThought

(2-7 years)

SensorimotorIntelligence

(birth – 2 years)

Formal Operations

(11-15 years)

Website Activity Go to

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/LCollins1/intro_to_teaching.cfm Click on “Syllabus & Companion Website” Click on “Our Book’s Companion Website” Click on “Chapter 8” (at the top of the screen) Click on “Activities” at the left side of the page Complete 8.1 Matching Stages of Development Submit Answers for Grading

E-mail Results to Instructor at Bethrams@bellsouth.net

How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop?

Erikson’s Model of Psychosocial Development Development has eight stages from infancy to old age –

see chart on page 288 Psychosocial crisis - a life crisis at each of the 8 different

stages of growth and development. According to Erikson, individuals must resolve each

crisis to reach the next stage.

How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop?

Kohlberg’s Model of Moral Development Moral Reasoning - individual’s ability to reason between

what is right and wrong evolves through 3 stages Preconventional level: basis is on personal needs and rules

developed by others Conventional level: decisions are made to receive approval from

others plus a willingness to conform Postconventional level: based on personal choices separate from

conventional values

Character Education – movement that stresses the development of students ‘ “good character”. A way of teaching values and moral reasoning – See page 290

The Heinz Dilemma In Europe, a woman was near death from cancer. One

drug might save her, a form of radium that a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The druggist was charging $2,000, ten times what the drug cost him to make. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money, but he could get together only about half of what it cost. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or let him pay later. But the druggist said no. The husband got desperate and broke into the man’s store to steal the drug for his wife.

Should the husband have done that? Why or Why Not?

How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop?

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs a set of seven needs, from the basic needs for survival and safety to

the need for self-actualization (using one’s talents & abilities to the fullest), that motivate human behavior Lower level need has to be met in order for individual to seek to satisfy a

higher need Developmental levels vary depending upon how well their

psychological and physical needs have been met Students differ markedly in terms of where they are on Maslow’s

hierarchy of needs Students from families concerned with day-to-day survival may come to

school tired and hungry and may have trouble paying attention Students who feel unsafe may be withdrawn emotionally

Website Activity Go to

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bhmasl.html

How did Maslow see the needs of human beings arranged?

How does Maslow describe self-actualizing people?

What are some examples of a “peak” experience described by Maslow?

Essay Questions Go to

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/LCollins1/intro_to_teaching.cfm Click on “Syllabus & Companion Website” Click on “Our Book’s Companion Website” Click on “Chapter 8” (at the top of the screen) Click on “Essays” at the left side of the page Choose 2 essay questions to complete (either #1,2, 3,

or 9) Submit Answers for Grading

E-mail Results to Bethrams@bellsouth.net

How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop?

Developmental Stresses and Tasks of Childhood children strive for a sense of industry & struggle against

feelings of inferiority (Erikson) children sense of security & self-worth can be threatened

if… Find evidence they are inferior to others Experience failure when they try new tasks Struggle without ever gaining a sense of mastery

for young schoolchildren, the idea of work is attractive—they feel more grown-up

then they feel incompetent

How Do Students’ Needs Change as They Develop?

Developmental Stresses and Tasks of Adolescence Adolescents identify themselves with a peer group, a

school, or a cause they are loyal and committed

Late in adolescence, the identity shifts from being reliant on others to self-reliance strong desire for independence

Teachers can help adolescents by providing a multifaceted, energetic, and creative approach in the classroom – see chart on page 296

Early Childhood Education Ages 5-7 years

A period of exploration

The early childhood years set the foundation for subsequent learning.

Early Childhood Education In order to promote optimal learning, teachers

need to create learning environments that Ensure safety and security Create symbolic richness Encourage physical and cognitive engagement Expose children to enticing and varied experiences Operate on simple and clear rules for social

interaction Support exploration and choice Use play as an opportunity for learning and self

expression

Middle School Education Ages 9-11 years

Student motivation generally declines during middle school years. (Alexander, 2006)

The middle school years should be about expansion.

Middle School Education Effective learning environments should include:

Opportunities for extended exploration of topics Focus problem-solving around personally relevant

problems. Provide opportunities for specialized physical

activities. Encourage cooperative and shared learning Encourage students to consider issues from multiple

perspectives. Require support for decisions and opinions. Stimulate strategic thinking and self-evaluation.

Secondary School Education Environments that foster learning in high school

students should include: Encourage the pursuit of individual interests. Expose students to varied career fields. Expose students to varied career fields. Expose students to varied career fields. Expose students to varied career fields. Expose students to varied career fields. Support students’ social involvement and activism.

References Alexander, P. A. (2006). Psychology in

Learning and Instruction. New Jersey: Pearson.