How to Individualize Instruction for Students
It’s no secret that all children are unique and have different needs when it comes to education. Working with a wide variety of children is one of the best parts of being a teacher. Making sure that distinctive educational needs are met can be one of the trickiest tasks, but it’s not impossible with individualized instruction. Through specific strategies and the use of educational technology, it’s possible to support students while also making the most out of classroom time.
First, what is individualized instruction?
Individualized instruction happens when teachers use specific strategies to meet the different needs of learners in their classrooms. Resources, assignments, and assessments are tailored for students with the ultimate goal of success in mind. This approach guides with flexibility for delivering instruction and assessment of academic content.
Special education is an example of individualized instruction. Individualized Education Plans (or Programs) (IEPs) are written to provide accommodations to meet the needs of special education students. However, this isn’t the only way to implement individualized instruction in the classroom.
Examples of individualized instruction
Individualized learning takes place whenever teachers emphasize the personal needs of each student in their lesson plans and teaching methods. Characteristics of individualized instruction include:
Setting specific and realistic goals
It’s important to set targeted and realistic goals when planning for individualized instruction. To ensure success, student ownership and parental involvement should be a part of the plan. Expect to complete reviews and revisions of the plan often. The pacing and other accommodations may need to be adjusted.
Supporting Student Interests
Expect to complete reviews and revisions of the plan often. The pacing and other accommodations may need to be adjusted.
Student interests change, providing new avenues for individualized instruction. If a student is suddenly fascinated with deep sea creatures, bring that into reading assignments. When students quote football statistics, use that for math instruction. If it’s easier for students to write using a tablet or computer, find ways to allow technology for those students.
How to individualize instruction for your students
Personalized learning for students might seem like an overwhelming task for classroom teachers. The fact of the matter is that teachers are already doing it! Teachers always meet the needs of their students.
Take a look at some of the ways teachers can individualize instruction.
- Get to know students' strengths, concerns, and interests.
- Offer problem-based learning.
- Scaffold lessons.
- Provide reciprocal teaching opportunities.
- Utilize peer tutoring.
- Consider the amount of time and/or questions for assignments.
- Involve students with cooperative learning.
- Use virtual simulations.
- Give plenty of time for journaling in all subject areas.
- Involve students in project-based learning.
- Foster a growth mindset.
- Plan hands-on activities.
- Plan inquiry-based lessons.
Advantages & disadvantages of individualized learning
As with anything, there are pros and cons to individualized learning. Disadvantages of individualized instruction include teacher exhaustion from the work it takes to meet the needs of so many students in one classroom. It can also be difficult to measure growth because comparisons aren’t truly apples to apples.
The advantages of individualized instruction outweigh the disadvantages. Student strengths and concerns are addressed with specific support. Pacing and workload match ability. Students have more ownership in their learning. Engagement and motivation are high when students feel connected to their progress and success.
Supporting individualized instruction with technology
With the right technology-based resources, supporting individualized instruction becomes easy. Education technology can naturally scaffold learning, provide feedback at the right moments, and give students just the right amount of challenge. That means teachers get more of their precious time back in the classroom, giving them more time to focus on what matters most - their students!
Scaffolded Instruction - Individualized technology makes it easy for each student to receive scaffolded instruction that builds upon itself, ensuring students get the appropriate level of content to build new skills.
Growth Tracking - With real-time progress and growth tracking, teachers can identify areas for reteaching and provide the right level of support for all of their students.
Personalized and Adaptive Learning - With edtech, every student in your classroom gets the perfect level of instruction for their needs. Ensure all of your students are engaged and supported with technology.
There’s no substitute for teachers in the classroom. But with the right instructional technology, it’s easier than ever for teachers to ensure all of their students are supported with individualized instruction.
ExploreLearning solutions support individualized instruction
With ExploreLearning STEM Solutions, you can guarantee your students have individualized support across K-12 STEM topics. With tools like Reflex for just-in-time math fact fluency practice, Frax for scaffolded fractions instruction, and Gizmos for inquiry-based STEM instruction, your students will receive the adaptive instruction they need to succeed.
Full of engaging games and rewards that students love, ExploreLearning solutions build confidence and a love of STEM that motivates students to learn. Not only are they engaging, but ExploreLearning’s products are research-based for real results. Continual rigorous efficacy studies ensure that our solutions are as effective as they are fun.
Powerful real-time reporting gives teachers the insights they need to remediate or accelerate learning in their classrooms, without the need for time-consuming one-on-one assessment.
Discover edtech resources that save teachers time and give students a sense of accomplishment, confidence, and motivation for STEM learning.
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