Teaching a class with students of differnt age
How to most effectively address a very diverse class? Especially in respect to different age groups.
When teaching a class with different ages, I engage each student and get them out of their chair to actively participate in the learning process. I use tactical approaches as well as directed questions to help them get over shyness or an unwillingness to put themselves out there in front of others possibly exposing themselves to embarrasment.
Joseph,
I like such a mix as well for the reasons you state. This blending of generations and experiences help to reinforce the content I am sharing with each student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I have a mixed age class I typically call on the older students during class discussions to share their ideas and experiences first because they tend to get the ball rolling quicker and then that momentum draws the younger ones into the discussion. I actually prefer having a mixed class because the older students usually bring in a strong work ethic with them and set a great example of getting projects and assignments done on time.
Christy,
Thank you for bring the strategy up for discussion. Through the mixing of groups respect can be developed between and among all of the students in the class regardless of the age.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree 100%, I think mixing up age groups is a very good idea, it helps them come together and they actually forget that there is an age difference between each other
Kim,
What are some strategies you use to get input from all of your students, even those that are not as outspoken as others?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ann,
This is how I integrate the different generations in my classes as well. By showing how each generation can contribute to the solution of a problem respect between and among the students starts to unfold and this helps everyone to see the value of sharing and working together.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found if you discuss certain subjects with all the students to get thier ideas of things can work for them. That this helps everyone to understand how different ages react to different problems which can help them other people reactions to a problem and be understanding to them
When there are generation gaps among the students, the strategies I find that work among the different ages is the interaction of skill level and education levels as discussions expand.
Henrik,
One of the most effective ways is through student learning groups. By mixing up the ages of the students in the groups they start to work together and forget how much they are different and start to focus on the task that they have been assigned.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I've run into this in the past, I try and find a common thread among all students then when group work needs to be done, match up older and younger students. Have them do a think, pair, share activity and incorporate some age difference issue so that they can learn a little more about the other's perspective.
