Empowering Every Student with a Multi-Level Classroom 

What is the variant skill level in the classroom?

In a classroom setting, variant skill levels refer to the range of abilities and prior knowledge that students bring to the learning environment. This can include differences in academic abilities, such as reading and math skills, as well as differences in prior knowledge or experience related to the subject matter being taught. For example, in a science class, some students may have a strong background and be ready for advanced material, while others may need more prior knowledge and basic instruction. 

This variability in skill levels can make it challenging for educators to create a lesson or curriculum that is both engaging and effective for each individual student. Focusing solely on the needs of either the more advanced or less advanced students may lead to disengagement or a lack of interest from the other group. Therefore, teachers need to be aware of their student’s skill levels and adjust instruction and curriculum to ensure that all students can learn and grow. 

The importance of recognizing and addressing variant skill level

Ignoring variant skill levels in the classroom can lead to several negative consequences for students. Inclusive teaching is crucial to student engagement and success. Neglecting to acknowledge the diverse abilities and prior knowledge of students can lead to frustration and disengagement in the classroom. 

For students needing help to keep up with the material, a one-size-fits-all approach can leave them feeling lost and overwhelmed. They may develop negative attitudes toward the subject matter, which can carry over into other areas of their education. On the other hand, more advanced students may also become disinterested if they are not being challenged and feel that the class is too easy. This may lead to boredom and demotivation among students, leading to poor performance and academic outcomes. 

Along with the different levels of skills and prior knowledge, there are different types of learning styles that students prefer or respond to.  

Educators can analyze and identify the learning pattern of each student and deliver the most suitable type of learning content in the classroom or online learning platforms.  

For example:  

• Graphs, images and videos can be offered to visual learners;  
• Podcasts and audio files of lectures can be offered to auditory learners; 
• Glossaries, textbooks and notes can be offered to read/write learners; 
• Hands-on learning strategies like educational games can be offered to kinesthetic learners. 

Moreover, when teachers ignore variant skill levels, they may inadvertently perpetuate inequities in education. Students from underprivileged backgrounds may need more prior knowledge and experience and may be at a disadvantage in the classroom. Suppose teachers do not take these differences into account and provide appropriate support. In that case, these students may need to catch up to their more privileged peers and experience fewer academic and personal growth opportunities. Therefore, teachers must be aware of and address variant skill levels in the classroom to create a positive, inclusive, and equitable learning environment for all students, which ultimately leads to high motivation and academic success. 

Strategies for addressing variant skill levels: 

There are several strategies that teachers can use to address variant skill levels in the classroom. Here are some of the most commonly used approaches:  

Differentiated Instruction: This approach involves differentiating the instruction into small sub-instructions to guide the students to meet the individual needs of each student based on their skills, interests, and learning patterns. Teachers can use different sub-questions to address the needs of students or groups of students. Break down a complex question into smaller, more manageable parts, making it easier for students to understand and focus on specific aspects of the topic. 

Personalized Learning Model: The personalized learning approach allows students to choose their learning path, with the teacher as a facilitator. This can be done by providing students with different difficulty levels or other types of questions based on their individual needs. This can be especially beneficial as it allows a self-paced yet supervised learning environment rather than being held back or bored by a one-size-fits-all approach. Additionally, adaptive assignments help identify struggling students, provide them with additional support, and close knowledge gaps. 

Instant feedback: It allows students to quickly understand whether they have grasped a concept or skill and, if not, to receive guidance on improving. It can provide teachers with information on areas where students may be struggling, allowing them to adjust their teaching methods or provide additional support. Furthermore, it will enable students to self-monitor their learning and adapt their studying methods accordingly. This can help create a more active, self-directed learning environment that allows students to take more ownership of their education. 

Access restriction for content: This approach allows students to cover the lesson before completing an assignment or assessment. It gives students time to process the information and make connections to their prior knowledge. This can be especially beneficial for students needing more time to understand new concepts. It gives students a chance to ask questions they may have about the material to ensure that all students have a clear understanding of the material before they begin working on the assignment. It helps by providing students with the time, resources, and guidance they need to understand new concepts, ask questions, develop autonomous learning and apply their knowledge. 

Formative assessment: Formative assessment is gathering ongoing feedback during instruction. By regularly assessing student understanding in between lessons and using formative assessment strategies, such as questioning and providing feedback, teachers can ensure that all students are on track and understand the material. This makes an positive and effective classroom environment, setting clear expectations and providing appropriate support and structure for all students. 

How does Möbius help in that scenario? 

Manually delivering all of the above-mentioned pedagogies is not feasible for the instructor and students because of the limited time in the classroom.  

This is where Möbius comes into play.  

Möbius is an interactive digital learning platform by DigitalEd, an ed-tech company with a resonant purpose- enriching and simplifying STEM education for teachers and students all over the globe.  

• Helps the instructor to provide inline questions in between lessons for formative assessments 
• Allows educators to set restrictions over the lesson or any learning activity 
• Helps the educators to provide automatically generated instant feedback and grading for the provided questions 
• Provide educators with an assignment where questions are revealed on the student’s performance to their previous question and also allow them to bifurcate the complex questions into sub-questions.  

All of these features can be offered through the interactive Möbius digital learning platform effortlessly and quickly, so students can go over the digital content to improve their skills at any time, either in the classroom or outside. 

With Möbius, you can create an inclusive and effective blended learning environment for all students. Educators will always be aware of the diverse needs of their students and make adjustments to instruction and curriculum to ensure that all students are challenged, engaged, and able to reach their full potential by keeping track of the student learning through the digital learning platform. Furthermore, addressing variant skill levels is crucial to promote equity and fairness among students, helping to break academic and personal disadvantage cycles. Here, Möbius empowers every student to reach their full potential. 

If you want to know more about Möbius, book a product demo today! 

Author: Deepali