Why its important to consider student background while teaching?

Question

while selecting mode of presentation for learning, teacher often concider student background. Why its so importent. Please share your valuable experiances

Answer 1

As a teacher trainer, I've always explained to the student teachers that at the beginning of each brand new class, they have to find out the B.I.G. of the students. This stands for Background = where, how and what they have done and learned in the past. Interests = what interests the students now and in general. Goals = what do they intend to do in the future and what knowledge do they need to get there. In other words Past,Present and Future. The past is important because you find out what they already know or don't and you can save a lot of time by not duplicating (however, you can do a little reviewing to refresh knowledge) and the ability to plan what they need to fill in the missing gaps in their knowledge and move forward. The present is important because students learn much better when the material presented interests them. Finally, the Future is important because you can present and help the students learn material which will help them achieve THEIR goals. The job of any teacher is to prepare the students today for their tomorrows. Good Luck, it's one of the most difficult, frustrating and SATISFYING jobs in the world.

Answer 2

It's important to remember that every student is an individual. Every person learns differently. Some people learn best visually. Others learn best auditorily and yet others (like myself) learn best kinetically, i.e. moving things around/using their hands. If you know what ways your students learn the best, you can reach more students that way.

Also, students come from different family/religious/socioeconomic backgrounds. Their cultures are different and one lesson that you might prepare to a suburban middle class student body would be meaningless to some of the students I teach in the Deep South who live in poverty and have not gone more than a half an hour away from their home in any direction. So that needs to be considered.

I also like to find out what my students interests are and what they want to do when they graduate. This helps me plan more meaningful lessons and more HELPFUL lessons that will prepare them for life after high school. The more the class means to the student, the more they will learn and more importantly, the more they will remember.

Answer 3

It is important to know in what way the students learn best: some learn better by listening, others by seeing, some by actually having a conversation with the professor, others through hands-on activities, etc. As far as background, it is important to know what the students already know so as not to waste time re-teaching them, and what they don't know, so that new information will be well founded.

Answer 4

It is important to know what they have already learnt from an educational point of view but it is also valuable to know something about their personal background.

sometimes pupils don't want to tell you that they have problems reading or writing because they're embarrassed. it's important for the teacher to find out this sort of information before they enter the class in order to facilitate their learning.

it's also important to know a bit about their family life. I'm not talking about knowing every little detail but things that could impact their work.
For example I have a girl has a five month old brother. she comes in the morning to school exhausted and not always willing to participate in class. but because i know she's had to listen to a baby crying for most the night i understand.

at the end of the day it's about being an understanding and considerate teacher

Answer 5

Hi!
It is important to comsider student background. It depends from where the child has come and id he/she is exposed to the stuff you are teaching. I have taught in India and in the US. If there is a new kid from Haiti in your class and you have to introduce something....you really have to check if that kid has some background knowledge about what you are going to introduce. Else the child is going to be left in the dark.

Answer 6

A mathematical problem: 'Jonathon's father banks a minimum of £10 mio. per year, mainly in the Cayman Islands. His father gave him an allowance of £25,000 per year while he was at University, which he spent on booze, smokes and entertaining friends. He got a 2.2 degree and is now unemployed. His sister, Miranda is now at university, working hard and receiving £ 30,000 per year from Daddy. How much can Jonathon demand from his father, in order to continue his laid-back lifestyle?'

Now that's really going to interest the child who lives on a council estate and whose father is disabled and dependent on social security money.

Of course a teacher has to adapt his teaching material and style to the background of the children.

Answer 7

it is important as every one learns at different times and different ways that why it is important to do it this way that way people feel confitable doing there course work