Learning Episode 2: Learner Diversity

Developmental Characteristics, Needs and

Characteristics

Name of Student Teacher: ____________________________________________ Course: ____________________

Year and Section: _________________________________________ Cooperating Teacher: _________________
Signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: __________________________________

Objectives
At the end of this Episode, I must be able to describe the characteristics, needs and
interest of learners from different developmental levels.

Content of the Lesson

Episode 2 provides me with an opportunity to observe learners of different ages and
grade levels. It highlights the differences in their characteristics and needs. As a future
teacher, it is important for me to determine my learners’ characteristics and needs so
that I will be able to plan and implement learning activities and assessment that are all
developmentally appropriate.
Here are major principles of development relevant to this Episode;

1. Development is relatively ordered. Development follows directional patterns such

as from the head to the toe (cephalocaudal) and from center of the body then
outwards (proximodistal).

2. Development takes place gradually.

3. All domains of development and learning-physical, social and emotional, and

cognitive are important and they are closely interrelated. (NAEYC,2009)

4. Development proceeds towards greater complexity, self-regulation, symbolic or

representational capabilities. (NAEYC, 2009)

Activity 2.1 Observing learner characteristics at different stages

Resource Teacher: ________________ Teacher’s Signature: ______________ School: _______

Grade/Year Level: ________________ Subject Area: _______________________Date: _________

To realize the Intended Learning Outcomes, I will work your way through these steps:
Step 1 Observe 3 groups of learners from different levels (preschool, elem and high
school)
Step 2 Describe each of the learners based on my observations.
Step 3 Validate my observation by interviewing the learners.
Step 4 Compare them in terms of their interests and needs.

Observe: Use the observation guide and matrices provided for you to document your
observations.
An Observation Guide for the Learners Characteristics
 Read the following statements carefully. Then write your observation report on
the provided space. Your teacher may also recommend another observation
checklist if a more detailed observation is preferred.

Physical
1. Observe their gross motor skills how they carry themselves, how they ove,
walk, run, go up the stairs, etc.
2. Are gross movements clumsy or deliberate/smooth?
3. How about their fine motor skills? Writing, drawing, etc.)\

Social
1. Describe how they interact with teachers and other adults.
2. Note how they also interact with peers. What d hey talk about? What are their
concerns?

Emotional
1. Describe the emotional disposition or temperament of the learners (happy,
sad, easily cries, mood shifts)
2. How do they express their wants/needs? Can they wait?
3. How do they hand frustrations?
4. Describe their level of confidence as shown in their behavior. Are they self-
conscious?

Cognitive
1. Describe their ability to use words to communicate their ideas. Note their
language proficiency.
2. Describe how they figure things out. Do they comprehend easily? Look for
evidence of their thinking skills.
3. Were there opportunities for problem solving? Describe how they showed
problem solving skills?

Learners Development Matrix

Record the data you gathered about the learners’ characteristics and needs in this
matrix. This will allow you to compare the characteristics and needs of learners at
different levels, The items under each domain are by no means exhaustive. There are
just sample indicators. You may add other aspects which you may have observed.

Development Preschooler Elementary High School

Domain Indicate age range of children Indicate age range of children Indicate age range of children
observed: _______ observed: _______ observed: _______
Physical
Gross-motor skills

Fine-motor skills
Self-help skills

Others: ________
Social
Interaction with
Teachers

Interaction with
classmates/friends

Interests
Others:_________
Emotional
Moods and
temperament,
expression of
feelings

Emotional
independence

Others: ________
Cognitive
Communication
Skills

Thinking Skills

Problem-solving

Others: ________

Analyze

Write the most salient developmental characteristics of the learners you observed. Based
on these characteristics, think of implications for the teacher.

Example:
 Level Salient Characteristics Implications to the Teaching-
Observed Learning Process
Preschool  Preschoolers like  Therefore, the teacher
Age range of learners to move around a should remember to use
observed 3-4 lot. music and movement
activities not just in PE but
in all subject areas.
 Therefore, teachers should
not expect preschoolers to
stay seated for a long
period of time.

Level Salient Characteristics Implications to the Teaching-

Observed Learning Process
Preschooler
Indicate age range of
children observed: _______

Elementary
Indicate age range of children
observed: _______

High School
Indicate age range of children
observed: _______

Guide Questions

1. While you were observing the learners, did you recall your own experiences when you
were their age? What similarities do you have with the learners you observed?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Think of a teacher you cannot forget for positive or negative reasons. How did she/he
help or not help you with your needs (physical, emotional, and cognitive)? How did it
affect you?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
 3. Share your insights here.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Write a Journal

Journal Entry #2: Learners’ Characteristics, Needs and Interest. Your

entry should contain your understanding and reflection on the given concept.

Self-Learning Activity

Directions: Read the items given below and encircle the correct answer.

1. A 14-year old ignored by her crush whom she believes is her one true love. She is
crying incessantly and refuses to listen and accept sound advice that the
teacher is offering. Her refusal is because ______________.
A. she thinks what she feels is too special and unique that no one has felt like this before
B. the teenagers’ favorite word is “no” and she will simply reject everything the teachers says
C. 14-year olds are not yet capable of perspective taking and cannot take the teachers’
perspective
D. teenagers never listen to adult advices

2. A preschool teachers is thinking about how to best develop the fine motor skills of
the 4-year olds. Which of the following should be best considered?
A. provide daily coloring book activities
B. Ask the children to do repeated writing drills everyday

C. encourage children to eat independently

D. conduct a variety of fun an challenging activities involving hand muscles daily

3. Science Teacher Rita showed her class a glass of water with an egg in it. She asked
the class: “What happens to the egg if I add three-tablespoon salt to the glass of
water?” This is hypothesis formation. What can you infer about the cognitive
development of Teacher Rita’s class?
A. Formal operational stage
B. Concrete operational stage
C. Pre-operational stage
D. Between concrete and formal operational stage
SHOW Your Learning Artifacts for your portfolio

Which is your favorite theory of development. How can this guide you as a future
teacher? Clip some readings about this theory and paste them here.