Learning Needs of Students: Challenges and Strategies for Educators

This document discusses the challenges faced by educators in meeting the learning needs of students from diverse backgrounds and suggests effective teaching strategies to overcome them. It covers issues related to cultural inclusivity, appropriate teaching methods, and physical education.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Learning needs of students
Name of student
Name of the University
Author note

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Issue 1:
Beginning teachers often face major challenges when teaching Aboriginal and
backgrounds. The importance of a culturally inclusive environment for learning is being
acknowledged recently. Children tend to respond better in a learning method that fosters
positive cultural learning (Perso & Hayward, 2015). However, due to less understanding of
the cultural practices prevalent within the indigenous tribes. Teachers often face difficulty in
addressing the needs of the indigenous children. Therefore, teachers need to develop learning
ability of children within a culturally competent environment improves learning capacity of
students.
The cognitive learning and development process begins early; therefore, the
indigenous children begin to learn their way of life before they enter school setting. The
worldview of western culture differs greatly with that of the indigenous people. The main
challenge that beginning educators often face is the understanding how culture effects
behaviour and subsequently leads to challenges in teaching. To have a successful learning
outcome for the indigenous students, the teacher must be educated about the history, cultural
practices and ensure that everyone feels included within the classroom. The forced
assimilation of indigenous tribes into the white community did more harm than good. It is
quite common that parents who were a part of the stolen generation pass down that trauma to
their children (Munns, O'Rourke, & Bodkin-Andrews,2013). Educator may feel awkward and
may choose to avoid talking about it, but children are aware of their history, therefore it is
important that the topic is approached with sensitivity and empathy. Educators practice
classroom methods that is in lines with the western community rather than indigenous
community children (Barnhardt, 2014). For example, aboriginal and other indigenous
children might not make eye contact with their teacher, as their culture believes that is rude
practice, if the educator is unaware of the cultural practice they may easily misinterpret which

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can be called as “soft racism” (Boon & Lewthwaite, 2016). Indigenous children learn better,
when educators understand their behaviour, such as an indigenous child may not answer to
questions in the class. This does not imply that the child does not know the answer or avoids
being the centre of attention, but in their culture stories are passed down in form of stories
and the system of question and answer does not exist. Educators must understand how culture
is a dominant factor in commanding behaviour of indigenous children.
The increased juvenile crime rates, high dropout rates, substance abuse, suicide cases
often point to a disturbed indigenous society. However, when an educator practices teaching
based on these preconceived notion they tend to perceive the aboriginal children will
underperform and hence ignore them or victimise them. This is a very negative practice,
causes extreme stress, and affects the learning capacity of the children. The only solution to
approach studies in a way indigenous children understand and reciprocate within cultural
parameters (Nardozi, 2016). Studies show when study materials are delivered in form of
visual instruction, indigenous children seem to absorb information better instead of reading
from textbooks (Burgess & Cavanagh, 2016). All indigenous communities have one thing in
common it is the community practice. Hence, when indigenous children are taught using
examples within the environment and community they perceive the concept better.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children use English as their second or third language,
educators if possible need to teach indigenous in their own language. Brain needs to be
developed neurologically to allow children to read and write therefore children need to be
stimulated in the language they speak, it helps them to learn better.
There needs to be promotion of aboriginality in the classroom setting. When new
educators promote healthy cultural representation, all the children indigenous and non-
indigenous children are able to learn more in a multicultural setting. Therefore, it is essential
that beginning teachers, promote aboriginality and the children receive an education that

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promotes their culture (Lowe & Yunkaporta, 2018). Educators must ensure there is a positive
open dialogue on racism, where they can teach the younger generation of what happened in
past but should never happen in the future. Community is very important to the indigenous
group; young teachers can involve aboriginal children in more collective practices, rather
than focusing on individual achievement. For example, in Looma Remote Community School
situated in Derby, uses community interactive learning between the students and their parents
or caregiver, where they play games, share lunches together. This helps to build a collective
activity for them and they can learn better (Korff, 2019).
Educators must build a relationship of trust with their student, it is important that they
understand the issues that students face at home, such as neglect, domestic violence and other
dysfunctional situations. As a result of which indigenous children often have problem
focusing on tasks at school. This can be challenging for a new educator, hence they must
ensure that the children receive pastoral care that helps them develop trust, self-worth and
feeling of being valued. When a teacher successfully build a trust system around the child, it
helps them to be scaffolded towards a better learning process.
In schools educators quite often do not have access to appropriate teaching materials
this can certainly be an issue. In many rural communities, there is a serious lack of
infrastructure in rural communities, where most do not have an access to a proper classroom
or the classrooms are not equipped to fill a larger number of students. Research shows that
the government spends about forty-seven dollars on the education of a child in a rural
territory such as Wadeye, whereas in other institution the government spends about a dollar
on a child in the Northern territory. Indigenous parents do not have good experience with the
school system; this inhibits parents from sending their children to school. When schools do
not have any indigenous representative in the school faculty, it further promotes a sense of
cultural disharmony within the community (Fernando & Bennett, 2019). These are some of

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the leading challenges that a new educator might find while working with indigenous group.
However, beginning educators must be involved with their students and the community.
Ensure that each child gets an equal opportunity at education and work towards building a
more effective teaching strategy to overcome the challenges.
Issue 2:-
New educators often face various challenges while selecting of the appropriate
teaching methods or teaching strategies in their first years of teaching. Theory and practical
are one and at the same time very different from each other. Hence when beginning educators
are faced with a real classroom setting, they are often overcome with reality shock, change in
behaviour and attitude are some factors that affect the selection of teaching methods or
strategies. Modern teaching is a complex procedure, the learning outcome is effected by the
teaching plan, method and therefore it is very important to select the right strategy and
method of teaching.
Learners respond better to teaching strategies that they can relate to, it enhances their
learning capacity a great deal. Teachers often find it difficult to select a strategy that is best
suited to enable their diverse learners owning to the limitations in teaching materials.
Teachers need to find strategies that is effective in delivering knowledge to culturally diverse
classroom. For example, the education material is often in English and that is often a barrier
in teaching indigenous children, as English is often their second or third language, adopting
any useful teaching strategy will pose a challenge owing to the language barrier. Even
though, it is less of an issue in urban areas, it is an issue for rural communities. To promote
an active learning strategy that helps children to read, write and understand while actively
participating in the learning process, when indigenous children have to study in English it
inhibits their participatory process and reduces their learning capacity. While addressing a

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class where children are of different abilities it can pose a challenge to a beginning teacher. In
this case, it is important that the Teacher chooses a cooperative learning process where the
children can interact with each other and take up interesting projects such as a science
experiment, drama sketches and others. Group activity can help to enhance critical thinking,
communication skills and will boost self-esteem. It also important for teachers to recognise
the ability of each student and design lesson plan according to the capacity of the student
ensuring no one is left behind (Valdez et al, 2015).
Technology is very important part of the modern curriculum that improves learning
experience and makes lessons more interactive. Whiteboards, ipads and other gadgets help to
simplify lessons and allows students to grasp lesson better. Teachers should encourage
technology systematically so that it does not distract learning but aids in learning. This
distinction maybe difficult for a beginning teacher. If done correctly can improve learners
investigative skills and helps in self-directed learning (Rashid & Asghar, 2016).
In a multicultural classroom, educators come from different background, as do the
students. A beginning teacher maybe influenced by the predominant cultural practices that
may effects their teaching methods. Therefore, it is essential for teachers to be equipped with
knowledge and understanding of the various cultures present within the classroom. Teachers
need to change their interaction strategy in such a setting (Sleeter & Carmona, 2017). When
teachers do not adopt a strategy that caters to the different cultures, children find it difficult to
participate and subsequently find it difficult to succeed in such a setting. When teachers do
not establish proper relationship with the students, it creates a communication barrier. Not all
children are alike and may not interact like their peers; they may not answer in the class or
maybe more autonomous than the other children are. An educator must be able to recognise
the differences within cultures to form effective strategy to address their unique needs
(Harrison & Sellwood, 2016).

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One of the most important tool of teaching is effective communication, a good
communication between the students and the teacher. A teacher can effectively manage a
classroom, is the one who is effectively demonstrates confidence, clear understanding and
deliverance of ideas and encourages participation of students to share their ideas and their
understanding the concept. New educators may feel overwhelmed with the various strategies
and may find it difficult to find a balance between being too strict and flexible. It is advised
to practice calmness rather than yelling at students, introducing mindful practices is often
very effective to manage a classroom. Asking for feedback from the students is a clever way
to understand their perception and understanding of the lesson structure. This also helps to
create a bond with the students and subsequently increases their self-esteem when they are
encouraged to speak. Teachers must not resort to blaming the learning capacity of students
when students are unable to perform instead they should reach out to them look for methods
that supports the child to learn (Wexler et al, 2016).
Teaching methods that involve visual process for learners to follow is very effective
teaching strategy. Visual aid is found effective tool in memorising concepts (Edmond et al,
2016). Visualisation is a very basic but handy tool for new educators, using field trips, or
imaginary play learning is a very effective method of delivering lesson. Secondly, selecting
kinaesthetic method of learning helps students to engage in hands on activities, it increases
strengthening their memory development and facilitates learning using creative method such
as dancing, drawing and others. Thirdly, new educators should promote inquiry based
learning instruction where they can ask frequent questions to the class. This helps the
educator understand if their method is effective and enables the student to gain better
knowledge on the matter (Harris, Crabbe & Harris, 2017). Fourthly, when students are
exposed to relatable examples within their environment it increases their cognitive learning
development through relatibility, learning from nature can help students learn more actively

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as well as encourage an interactive learning method. Behaviour management is a struggle in
the initial years of teaching. Fun and interactive method is wonderful but a teacher must
ensure there is discipline in the class. Disruptive behaviour is not good for learning, it also
shows that teacher is unable to control their class. Therefore, a teacher must understand to
find a balance between flexible and strict. The teacher may implement a reward system where
good behaviour gets student a reward. Positive behaviour management helps a child to be
more self-aware and improves student teacher relationship as well (Schuck et al, 2018).
Teaching is a challenge, therefore a successful teacher often uses several teaching
method to bring about positive result. New teachers learn from their mistakes and real
classroom experience equips a teacher to understand and improve their teaching method and
strategy.
Issue 3:-
Physical education has been identified by UNICEF, as one of the most important
component to deliver quality education. Physical education is essential in developing life
skills of young individual both inside and outside school. Playing has been recognised as a
basic right of child and is crucial in the development of the child. There are several
challenges that beginning educators of physical educators face while catering to diverse
learners.
The education system worldwide has undergone significant changes over the past few
years. The education system negates the value of physical education in the curriculum that is
increasingly focus on marks and grades. The challenges that physical educators face are,
firstly, the time allocated for physical education is very less. Secondly, there is a decrease in
trained staff. Lastly, the amount of training provided to the physical education teachers is
deplorable and further the amount of money spend on the resources and equipment of

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physical education is often not enough. While the pattern of physical education differs from
country to country, there is a common marginalisation of physical education all over the
world. Furthermore, physical educators face challenges while approaching the children with
disability.
Physical education is marginalised and is not considered much of a subject however
there are several benefits of physical education. They are firstly; it improves self-confidence,
when students participate in sports and games. While maintaining fitness, improving
cardiovascular and motor skill it helps young individuals to be more active (Fox & Lindwall,
2014). Participating also improves teamwork within a multicultural group, promotes
communication, and helps to build leadership skills. Indigenous children have always had
very active lifestyle as they lived a life of hunter-gatherer that involved a lot of physical
activity. The urban lifestyle has introduced a lot urban diseases such as heart disease,
diabetes, high blood pressure and others (Winnick & Porretta, 2016). According to the
indigenous way of life, games and sports are inclusive and not competitive that is something
that a physical educator can take to involve a more inclusive and fun aspect of education.
Another advantage of physical education is to relieve stress, students are stressed out with the
daily curriculum and issues at home, and physical education helps to provide the children an
outlet to channelize their energy and stress through different physical activity (Dev, 2019).
Physical educators are often not trained and hence it is difficult for them to realise
their cultural incompetency. It is important that teachers understand their teaching method is
culturally competent and children do not feel like they are being discriminated in anyway.
Children with disability often face discrimination in physical education (Barton, 2017).
Physical educators must ensure that every child gets and equal opportunity to participate. It is
quite common for physical educators to exclude disabled children because they are
unequipped to serve the needs of the special need children. They may be less aware of the

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problem or may even lack the infrastructure to support the child; in such a case, school must
provide the necessary equipment. The school and the local government body should ensure
there is enough equipment and training for all students to learn and participate actively.
Another factor is time, physical education is not given enough credit for its many benefits and
advantage therefore; schools must ensure that children of all age groups get enough time to
practice physical education (Aelterman et al, 2013). The importance of sport has reduced so
much that the large number of students often overwhelms new educators as well the lack of
support from the school administration. Young educators as well as old find it difficult to
cope with the constantly having to find the funding and new approaches to physical education
within limited time and resources. In an education system that gives importance to other
subjects such as science, maths, literature and others. Physical education is often an
afterthought in many institutions. Another major challenge that physical educators face is the
lack of professional development, to expect better output there needs to be better input as
well. In order to have better standard of physical education, the school administration need to
provide opportunities to educators to improve their method of teaching through attending
workshops and state conventions which are dedicated to improve and train educators to be
better at addressing varied needs of the student body (Cheon et al, 2014). Students require
love and understanding and that is no different when it comes to a culturally diverse group.
Educators need to understand their students and foster develop constructive intervention
method (Kurmaeva, 2013). Physical educators must also be careful not face stress and
burnout that is an eventuality in the job and reduces their capability as teachers. Therefore, it
is very important that physical educators understand their boundaries and take strategies to
minimise burnout which can affect their teaching capability.
Just like other subjects, physical educators must practice cultural competency while
teaching physical education. One of the best way to achieve cultural competency and

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overcome Physical educators can introduce traditional indigenous games in schools they will
helps to bring together students indigenous and non-indigenous. They help to reconnect the
urban indigenous youths with their roots. When there is the fun factor in physical education,
it also helps to boost attendance that is very important to reduce indigenous group dropouts
from school. Healthy sporting activities help to establish healthy reconciliation amongst the
players and improves teamwork, foster positive relations and friendship. Physical education
helps in the holistic development of children. While teaching indigenous group involving
their cultural games restores the idea of the survival of their culture. Indigenous children
often come from troubled homes, sports and physical education helps to promote positive
behaviour and is seen helpful in reducing juvenile crime, violence, drug abuse. In some urban
setting schools lack playgrounds and proper area for physical education, in such cases
educators need to promote community based sport programmes that increases cross cultural
participation (Bardid et al, 2015). Physical educators have challenges that they need to
communicate with the administration in order to provide better education to a diverse student
group.

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