2.Read the following case study and Explain how you would apply the pedagogical principle of differentiation to help learners in Inonge’s class to cope with their emotional, social and academic challenges. (15)
Inonge is 13 years old. She is the oldest of five children and has four younger brothers. They live with their mother , father and paternal grandfather in a small house in a semi-rural area near the town of Pemba in southern Zambia , where she attends a local school. The situation at home is not easy for inonge . Her mother and father both work on local farms, but they have to travel a long way and get back late. Her grandfather is at home most if the time, but he does very little to help around the house. He believes looking after the home and children is women’s work. Inonge as the eldest girl, is therefore expected to look after her the younger children when she gets back from school, supervise the boys homework , clean, prepare the evening meal and get her own homework done. She has very little time to be with others of he own age. Her father is very strict and like his own father, believes that he should be looked after by women in the house. He seldom talks to inonge except to give her instructions. When he is not pleased with something she has done, he tends to complain to his wife and not to inonge directly at the moment, he is also having a difficult time at work, where he is threatened with losing his job. This is creating a lot of tension in the household, so that inonge ‘s father is drinking more than usual and often loses his temper. Inonge is like her mother, who tends to be quite and unassertive. although inonge gets on well enough with her mother, she seldom gets much support from her when tension is high. by nature, inonge doesn’t find controlling the boys an easy task. The four boys also identify strongly with their father and grandfather, and she doesn’t get much support from them either. In any case, even in her mother’s eyes, the boys tend to be the favored ones. Apart from all this time , the other children do not generally see inonge as one of them . she has to supervise and control them, so they see her more as another adult than a sister. Because of this, she is bright her homework is often poorly done, or not done at all, and she often feels tired in class. The principal and the majority of teachers in this school see schools and home as separate- a view that is generally held in this community as well as well – so that little is done to build bridges between the two. Inonge’s own class teacher has never enquired about her home circumstances. He is an authoritarian teacher who rules the class very critically and strictly, thus a common pattern that has developed in this class for the teacher to be critical of the students, and the students to be critical of one other. Because Inonge is criticized for her poor scholastic performance and wants to make up for it, she takes on a role of the teacher’s helper wherever she can. Unfortunately, the teacher often exploits this. It has also not helped her in her peer relation. The class of 45 children is more or less evenly dived between boys and girls, who are seated in separate rows. The boys tend to dominate and are especially critical of the girls. Because Inonge is quite and unassertive, the other girls are also critical of her and tend to boss her around. Also, while most other children have friends from around their homes in the class, she has dad little time to make such friends, so she tends to be quite isolated in the classroom.
To help learners in Inonge's class cope with their emotional, social, and academic challenges, the pedagogical principle of differentiation can be applied. Differentiation involves recognizing and addressing the diverse learning needs of each student in the classroom.
1. Emotional Support: Firstly, the teacher can provide emotional support to Inonge by creating a safe and nurturing environment in the classroom. This can involve regular check-ins with Inonge to discuss her feelings and any challenges she may be facing at home. Additionally, the teacher can encourage Inonge to express her emotions through journaling or artwork, allowing her to process her feelings in a healthy way.
2. Academic Support: Inonge's academic challenges can be addressed through differentiation by providing her with personalized learning opportunities. This can include setting specific academic goals for Inonge, offering extra support during homework time, and providing alternative assessments to cater to her individual needs. Additionally, the teacher can collaborate with Inonge to create a flexible study schedule that takes into account her responsibilities at home.
3. Social Support: To help Inonge build positive relationships with her peers, the teacher can implement group activities that promote teamwork and collaboration. By creating a supportive classroom community where students are encouraged to empathize and communicate effectively with each other, Inonge can develop healthier social skills and feel more included in the group.
4. Family Involvement: Inonge's family situation can also be addressed through differentiation by involving her parents in her education. The teacher can schedule regular parent-teacher meetings to discuss Inonge's progress, provide resources and support to her parents, and promote a positive partnership between home and school. By involving Inonge's family in her learning journey, the teacher can create a more holistic support system for her emotional, social, and academic well-being.
Overall, by applying the principles of differentiation, the teacher can help Inonge and her classmates navigate their challenges and create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.