5. How can a teacher fulfil the needs of a mixed ability classroom?

Make sure that the quality of teaching for the low ability group is as good as that for the high ability group. Vary the composition of the groups. Put the low ability students in their own groups when the rate of learning warrants it. Do not label the low ability students as weak or slow or with other words that may demotivate them. Avoid giving activities which make them compete with the better students.

Ability grouping a. Homogenous groups: Students are grouped according to their ability levels. The weak and the better students are in separate groups. They work according to their ability levels. Mixed groups: The weak and the good students are in one group. This type of grouping allows the weak students to learn from the better ones. The better students are encouraged to help the weak learners. Differentiated learning materials: The students can be exposed to the same instructions in class but the learning materials which comprise tasks and activities for students to do vary according to their ability level. The weak students are given simple tasks while the better ones are given more challenging tasks. Differentiated teaching: The teacher gives the better students tasks to do on their own while she teaches the weak group. When the weak students have been sufficiently taught, the teacher gives them work to do on their own and supervises the better students. Tutorial: The teacher provides coaching to individual students during classroom sessions or outside classroom sessions. Usually the teacher teaches the whole class and then set them tasks to do. While they are doing their work, the teacher calls up individual students who are weak and gives them extra teaching. Independent study/individualized learning: Each student is allowed to learn at his or her own pace. This is possible with the use of self-access materials and also the computer. Students can choose and use the materials which suit their level of proficiency. The materials may be there in print form and those on the Internet. Students choose their own learning materials.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

Activity
a. Do not have different sets of materials that will discriminate the weak from the good students. The weak students should not feel that they are not capable of doing challenging tasks. The material may be the same but the tasks may differ. Occasionally, give the weak students challenging tasks but not difficult ones. They should be able to do the tasks with some help from the teacher or friends. The tasks should not be of such a difficulty level that they are unable to do them. Do not give activities which are competitive in nature. These activities may put the weak ones at a disadvantage and they may not be motivated to do them at all. Allow the weak students to participate together with the good students in classroom activities. Allowing students of mixed ability, at times, to work in small groups, may enable the weak students to learn from their peers who are good. Occasionally, give activities which allow weak students to work on their own. They can complete the tasks at their own pace using their own styles of learning.

b.

c. d.

e.

http://www.telt.um.edu.my/8mix.html