By Princess-Diamonds Harris
Simply put, students are not identical. Students come from multifarious backgrounds and have varying needs. Consequently, these unique differences manifest in the classroom. Being in the education system as a student and as a young educator, I have witnessed the lack of accommodation to the diverse learning styles and needs of students. This is concerning and unacceptable. The lack of accommodation of students’ learning differences needs to be addressed and rectified. A vast number of schools cater to an idealistic, traditional type of learner, and, unfortunately, that does not represent all students. Learning is a very individualistic journey; ergo, schools need to support that.
There are many ways to tackle this issue. It is important to note there are numerous factors that influence how a student learns, including both biological and environmental influencers. To enhance the learning environment for each student, I recommend that schools incorporate a variety of teaching methods to accommodate more learning styles. Additionally, schools should ensure students have different resources, both inside and outside of the classroom, to further foster their learning. These resources could include: support teachers, tutors, digital learning devices, and additional learning tools (e.g., online supplemental lessons). Furthermore, schools should implement different classroom structures for students with distinct learning styles and abilities, such as digital classrooms, independent learning classrooms, interactive classrooms, and slower-paced classrooms that provide extra support. There are endless suggestions that can be made to ensure that all schools are more inclusive of learning differences.
Some schools offer a more accessible education, and some schools specifically exist to address different learning needs. Nonetheless, all students should have access to schools that improve their overall educational experience. As a part of providing students with an equitable education, schools need to accommodate varying learning needs and styles — every student deserves this.