In what ways do students vary? How can teachers take account of variability when students develop at different paces and across different dimensions of learning?

In this episode, Nina speaks with Sarah Bichler, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Passau in Germany. Sarah says children grow and learn in different ways, sometimes steadily, sometimes through abrupt shifts. Recognizing individual learning timelines allows teachers to “design the instruction that matches the learner’s developmental stage”.

Nina then hears from Meesha Arora, an economics teacher at an international school in New Delhi, India. Meesha sees students' confidence, analytical skills, and academic performance change over time with guidance, one-on-one attention, and use of AI in formative assessment. For Meesha, differentiating instruction is important because students come from different curricula and places. “I often spend the first six months just getting to know the child a little bit better”, she says, so she can cater to them.

Finally, Nina speaks to Karmen Linnamägi, a music therapist and primary school teacher in Estonia. Karmen works with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and uses participatory, creative teaching methods. Children “might have hidden skills and capacities, which suddenly at certain particular moments reveal themselves”, she says.

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Guests

Sarah Bichler: LinkedIn
Meesha Arora: LinkedIn
Karmen Linnamägi: Facebook