Understanding learning, development, and diversity is essential for educators and school leaders to foster inclusive and effective learning environments. These concepts encompass developmental stages, learner diversity, and the scope and sequence of the curriculum—each playing a vital role in shaping the educational journey of every student. This article explores each of these subtopics with real-life […]

Understanding and demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum is essential for educators and school leaders to ensure effective teaching and learning. This article will address the three performance criteria: demonstrating knowledge of the area/s of responsibility, understanding core learning skills development across the curriculum, and demonstrating proficiency in the language of instruction, supported by […]

Teaching is a dynamic profession requiring a deep understanding of educational theories, pedagogical approaches, and relevant policies. This article explores the theoretical basis of teaching under three subtopics: knowledge of educational research and learning theories, pedagogical approaches, and educational policies. Real-life scenarios illustrate how these concepts manifest in classroom and school environments. 1. Demonstrating Knowledge […]

There are four types of reinforcement: positive, negative, punishment, and extinction. We’ll discuss each of these and give examples. Positive Reinforcement. The examples above describe what is referred to as positive reinforcement. Think of it as adding something in order to increase a response. For example, adding a treat will increase the response of sitting; […]

What is a learning disability? Some individuals, despite having an average or above average level of intelligence, have real difficulty acquiring basic academic skills. These skills include those needed for successful reading, writing, listening, speaking and/or math. These difficulties might be the result of a learning disability. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a […]

Both ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and dyspraxia can affect children and prevent them from reaching their full potential. While ADHD is a learning difficulty that often impacts on attention, behaviour or both, dyspraxia has to do with fine motor skills, language and planning abilities and is not always classed as a learning difficulty. Nonetheless, […]

What does differentiation mean in teaching? Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction. What is Differentiated Instruction? Examples of How to Differentiate Instruction in the Classroom Just as everyone […]

A slow learner is a child who learns at a pace a little behind others of their age and grade level. Slow learners are not always learning disabled, and may have ordinary lives outside of the classroom. However, academic subjects are a challenge for them. How to Help Slow Learners A slow learner is a child who learns at a pace […]

The terms ‘learning difficulty’ and ‘learning disability’ are often confused, or even used interchangeably but does that matter? While no-one wants to label any person’s disability or difficulty, sometimes labels are useful to help us to provide the right support. Although the term learning difficulty appears to be preferred by many currently, maybe because there […]