Several Challenges in the Learning Activity - Research Paper Example

?Educational psychology Educational psychology Introduction Despite the fact that children develop in a different manner, either dueto environment or hereditary influences, there has to be some pattern of development which applies to children. Therefore, the educators must understand the development of the schools and students. Schools are very crucial in socialization of children thus teachers should be able to understand the socialization abilities of the students. There are numerous characteristics and qualities which instructors must consider when handling a class. In any class, different students exhibit different characteristics depending on their culture, special ability and difference in learning styles. In a class different students may exhibit students with characteristics such as those students having traits such as multipotentiality, students with excessive self-criticism and those students who exhibit perfectionism. Characteristics of the group In a class, an instructor can have students who have the ability to exhibit numerous potentials in a learning process. Multipotentiality among students a rare trait and it is common among students with gifts and talents (SWGT) (Santrock, 2010). These groups of students have a great passion and are usually have an extreme interest in several areas. However, this is a very good aspect for their future lives as it can enhance self-confidence and agency. The instructor can experience students with excessive self-criticism. Self-awareness and criticality are healthy aspects for any individual. This aspect is debilitating to the youths. These kinds of students exhibit self persecution and self hating traits. Furthermore, students may end up having depression. In addition, the instructor can experience students who have a perfectionist character trait. This aspect is more common as opposed to SWGT. The trait is a combination of environmental and inborn tendencies. Perfectionism as a trait may arise from outer sources such as parents, trainers and observations from adults. Challenges facing instructors As an instructor one goes through varied challenges in handling these groups. First, students with numerous potentials are difficult to handle due to emerge of stereotypes and societal conventions. There is emergence of stress and some limitations is applied. For instance, when girls approach colleges and perform well in music and physics, they are usually encouraged to pursue courses which represent stereotypes of the society. In addition, stereotypes which are created along the gender lines, it may lead to stress (Smith et al, 2010). In addition, the instructors find it very difficult to deal with students who exhibit excessive criticism. This is because; this trait is learned thus it is similar to several phobias. Furthermore, perfect students are usually one-dimensional and debilitating. These students exhibit several continuum behaviors for instance, some students pleasure from undertaking very difficult tasks. Furthermore, perfect students have a tendency of setting very high standards. On the other hand there are some students who are usually unable to glean satisfaction in their efforts due to unrealistic goals. Special learning opportunity Despite the difficulty required in handling these students, instructors can be able to deal with such cases with ease. For instance, multipotential students need a lot of support in their passion. This is important especially for mental health. In addition, these kinds of students require clear papers to avoid unnecessary confusion. For excessively self-criticism students, need proper counseling. This is because self-criticism is similar to all human beings (Pressman, 1994). In addition, perfect students can be dealt with ease due to the varied types of perfectionism. Furthermore, SWGT operate well when under perfectionism thus, it is the duty of the instructor to identify the nature of the student he or she has. In addition, the instructors can help such students admit their mistakes with some model constructive skills. The teachers can also provide a structured and a calm environment. The best learning method the instructors can use is by avoiding student comparison either in their performance and behaviors. Methods of teaching As an educator, one can use varied means to accommodate numerous students. For instance, he can use the concrete learners which prefer experience in the learning process. It relies on personal judgment and feelings. Therefore, as an instructor, one has to involve students in the learning activity like giving an allowance for personal experience on relevant topics. For instance, if an instructor wants to teach his or her students on the ways of operating a fire pump, this method prefers that the student watch while the instructor demonstrates the operation. After the instructor, has finished demonstrating, he allows the students to operate basically by imitating the performance. These kind of students learn best when they imitate. In addition, an instructor can use an active learners style which prefers that learning can be done by involving the students in the subject and going systematically (Ormrod, 2010). Students learn well through structured exercise and forming of small discussion groups. This method aims at exploiting new ideas. For instance, when dealing with active learner style, an instructor can try some practical aspects. For example, an instructor can exhibit a trial and error method for learning appeals. In operating a fire pump, the style would incorporate different ways of operating the pump. In addition, the instructor can incorporate a reflective learners method. In this method, the instructor bases his judgment on contrasts and comparisons. The instructor can incorporate readings, films and lectures. This method prefers playing the role of an impartial observer as you watch the other. For instance, in operating a fire pump, reflective learners can watch the others operate and later reflect or think on the varied ways of operating the pump. Before, the learners operate the pump themselves; they usually analyze the observation that might have been made. Conclusion Therefore, there is need for quality education that students must have. Instructors face several challenges that should be incorporated in the learning activity. Therefore, special attention should be taken to cater for students’ performance. References Ormrod, J. (2010). Educational psychology: Developing: developing learners. New York, NY: Prentice Hall. Pressman. (1994). Accommodating learning style difference in elementary classrooms. Boston, B: Wadsworth Publishers Company. Santrock, J. (2010). Educational psychology. Boston, B: McGraw-Hill publishers. Smith, J et al. (2011). Educational psychology: Reflection for action. New York, NY: Wiley. Read More