WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

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Letters from elementary school students: Cadence on tailored learning

 Students at Cedar Wood Elementary meeting with Rep. Hans Dunshee.
Students at Cedar Wood Elementary meeting with Rep. Hans Dunshee. Photo courtesy of teacher Barbara Tibbits.

Dear Representative Dunshee,

Have you ever had the feeling when you were young that you’re learning something twice, once at home and once at school? Well I have, one time I was learning single digit multiplication. I first learned it at home , three months later I had to learn it again, at school. I have a solution to that: it is tailored learning also known as individualized instruction.

Tailored learning is where each lesson is “tailored”  to each student’s specific level of interests and abilities. Nigel Green claimed “Personalized learning and individualized instruction are now recognized as crucial elements of student-centric teaching that fosters real progress and achievement. This is a significant departure from the way classrooms have been structured in the past as a ‘one size fits all’ environment with all students generally receiving information at the same time and same way as their peers, regardless of their prior knowledge or academic strengths and weaknesses.” I think we should do tailored learning at Cedar Wood Elementary.

My first reason is that tailored learning closes learning gaps. Schools can deliver material to each student at their level of interests and abilities for students. Persistence is difficult for students in difficult topics/areas. For example:  a student might be learning single digit multiplication and its a hard topic for them, they might think this is really hard or I don’t want to do this.  Moving at the just right pace helps students excel at the topic. Therefore, that closes learning gaps.

In addition, this kind of learning builds self-confidence.The lessons are tailored to each student’s specific abilities and from this students can focus on their on learning.  They will not feel left behind,  students are always making progress. This way students can feel more confident in what they did and what they need done. But if we continue regular learning, according to Nigel Green, “One of the main reasons that struggling students continue struggle is that they lose confidence in themselves and their intellectual capabilities.”

Also students can work at their own pace. Gifted students could work ahead while the rest of the students who are struggling in a particular area can take their time to review and master the concept they may have not previously understood. The good thing about this is that if a group of students mastered single digit multiplication they can move on to the next topic in multiplication. They don’t have wait for the rest of the class.

In summary, tailored learning closes learning gaps, builds self confidence, and students can work at their own pace. I hope you’re convinced that tailored learning may help students at Cedar Wood Elementary.

Best Regards,

Cadence

Bibliography: https://www.dreambox.com/blog/pros-cons-individualized-instruction