Intel Teach Program Module 6: Planning for Student Success
How can I help my students become self-directed learners?
Student self-direction can be guided in many ways, the most important of which is setting high expectations for student achievement and success. Expectations and goals must be clearly defined from the beginning. Students also need to be taught what it means to be a “self-directed learner.” Self-direction can be encouraged by providing students with tools to manage their own learning including forms to monitor and chart progress and opportunities for self-reflections. Teachers need to build in time for structured interviews or observations (along with informal monitoring) to assist students in staying on track and remaining focused on the project.
How can I support the diverse needs of learners?
Diverse learners can be supported in many ways through a combination of modifications and accomodations designed with individual needs in mind. The best way to create a modification/accomodation scheme is to work with the Special Services department, ELL teachers, or other specialists to create ILP’s that support content mastery while supporting individual learning styles. Specific examples for struggling students would include reducing the number of items to be completed for a project, providing additional time for assignments, using peer tutors, and providing alternative assessments. Similar challenges in modifying instruction exist for gifted learners; modifications could include more options for research and allowing these students to work as peer tutors.
