Teaching is an art. Rajeev Ranjan
If an educator is determined to bring desirable change in ACL , result can be seen over a period of time. Wise educator works on method, materials and managing pace with ACL learning styles. ACL learning depends on developing a right attitude to taste a sense of success over a period of time. Sense of achieving something boosts up the confidence of ACL and building of confidence leads to developing self interest for learning lesson. ACL learning ratio is basically proportionate to developing his own self interest to achieve. The day, “ S/He feels” that s/he is equal to one and all in the class, also at house and can do equally well like Rohan/Ranjan in a subject, educator hard work is started taking a shape and can give desirable learning interest in coming days.....................
"Our integrated effort should be based on helping a child to be inquisitive, self reliant and self motivated for learning. Indeed, it is a difficult task but If a child becomes self conscious of learning new topics/subjects, s/he will cross the boundary of complexity of learning. Inquisitive learner works hard to overcome complexity of learning."
"Our goal is to help ACL, to optimize his/her abilities to learn , and to meet highest, realistic expectations so that learning can be initiated by learner himself/herself".
1. Learning is a complex phenomena. Any
learning demands self interests,
inquisitiveness, positive attitude, agility,
diligence and determination at any stages
of life.
If a pupil misses several of these qualities,
becomes an academically challenged
learner.
A wise educator channelizes learner’s
positive energy towards maximize learning.
Learning can happen at any moment of life.
The best learning environment brings a
new life for a challenged learner.
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 1
I can improve myself. Will
you help me to do so?
I can learn anything at
anytime. Will you guide
me to do so?
2. 2
Slow learner or academically challenged learner
Carroll, (2004) “Slow learners are students with below
average cognitive abilities and who struggle to cope with
the traditional academic demands of the regular
classroom”.
An academically challenged learner possesses all natural
qualities of a good learner. Learner self , parenting,
teaching and surrounding play crucial role in converting a
child into an academically challenged learner, otherwise
he is not less than his classmates in doing all other
activities.
3. 3
What did you choose?
Slow learner or academically challenged learner
Sumit enjoys playing with friends. He always ready to do
mischievous activities with friends. Sumit never submit class work
on time. Every week, teacher walks along with Sumit to principal
office regarding incompleteness of work, habit of delaying tasks,
giving excuse for forgetting books, notebooks at home. He does not
show any interest in academic tasks resulting poor performance in
class test, formative assessment and summative assessment.
Sonam is single girl child of her parents. She always interacts less
with subject teacher but a disciplined child in the class. She tries her
level best to achieve higher marks but fail to do so except in math.
Parents give extreme pressure to Sonam to perform very well in all
tests, bubbles like good academic performers of the class
but------------------
4. 4
What did you choose?
Slow learner or academically challenged learner
Academically challenged learner or slow learner could not
meet with success in the normal classroom situations for
one or more reasons. However, “Nobody is inferior, and
nobody is superior. One is just oneself, incomparable”. So, we
firmly believe that academically challenged learner can
also perform very well in the normal classroom situations.
Coordination among teacher, parent and caretaker on
regular basis can give best result in terms of academic
improvement.
5. 5
What did you choose?
Academically challenged learners are capable of achieving success at
slower rate than average child. They are simply unable to cope up
with the work normally expected of their age group.
Specific learning disability refers to one of average or above average
intelligence who has specific difficulties which can make learning
very difficult. There may be deficits in any of the basic central
nervous system functions, which have to do with the acquisition and
use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or
mathematical abilities ie attention, memory, language, auditory and
visual perception, motor coordination and planning, spatial
orientation, impulse control and sequencing. In short, if there is a
discrepancy between the child's potential and actual achievement.
(Karen Mackay, SPELD Education Advisor SPELD SA SPRING 2001 newsletter))
7. 7
What did you choose?
"As each tree of a different height has its own right to grow,
students also should be treated according to their
individual abilities and their own characteristics ; they
should be treated as individuals.” (Jean McNiff)
Our palm lines are different, our thumb impression is so
much unique that no person’s hand or thumb is similar to
us in this universe. We need to respect the integrity of an
individual learner.
8. 8
What did you choose?
Identification of academic challenged learner in a regular
classroom can solve the purpose of a teacher. It is very
hard for teacher to accept that s/he is a weak learner
because s/he possess all other qualities except poor
performance in one subject or in more than one subjects.
Generally teacher as well parent treats weak learners’
characteristic as stubbornness, disinterestedness in
learning, mischievousness and showing inability to learn.
A wise educator identifies learner’s individual learning
style and tries to educate the learner as the way s/he
shows interest in learning. Providing comfort level of
learning or at ease learning to ACL can enhance learning
interest in course of time.
10. Root cause of students’ weak academic performance may be
related to academic or non-academic.
Premature birth of a child
Unnatural growth of a child i.e. late walker, late talker
Intensive and excessive shelter from parent –wish in hand
Parental problems(dispute between mother & father,
divorce case, working parent , face mental trauma due to
various problematic reasons at home)
Lack of care at home (due to various reasons)
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 10
11. Root cause of students’ weak academic performance may be
related to academic or non-academic.
May be younger than rest of the class
Lack of understanding the language of text(Unable to read
properly and face difficulty in understand meaning of text
Frequently absent from the class due to various reason
Health problems
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 11
12. Root cause of students’ weak academic performance may be
related to academic or non-academic.
School environment
Bad company(become a member of non –academic group)
Lack of interest in academics (reading, writing,
mathematics)
Boring lesson by less motivated educator/ poor teaching
techniques
Error threatening environment (developing a negative
attitude “better to excuse”)
Many more reasons (Pupil, Parent, Teacher, Society or
other stakeholder)
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 12
13. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
S/he possess poor memory
S/he possess short attention span
S/he is easily distracted by other things
S/he possess poor comprehensive power
S/he possess lack of interest in learning
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 13
14. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
S/he is having no -confidence (in academic)
S/he is having low self-expectation, self expression
S/he is weak in problem-solving
S/he is habitual to live in abstract dream during learning
S/he fails to receive information effectively and mix
things up easily
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 14
15. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
S/he faces difficulty in understanding a little bit complex
concept
S/he is unable to correlate teacher’s teaching in the class
and content of lesson
S/he takes more time to complete tasks i.e. homework,
class work, assignments
S/he may not follow multi-layered instruction
S/he does not prepare lesson well which results in poor
score in test/assessment
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 15
16. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
S/he can become aggressive out of frustration
S/he may be or may not create disturbance in
class(discipline problem)
S/he may go outside the classroom several times for
different reasons
S/he may possess poor reading skill. S/he faces difficulties
in writing correct spelling, framing correct sentence and
draw meaning from text
S/he may possess poor writing skill. His/her handwriting
may be poor, dirty and illegible
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 16
17. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
S/he may be unable to correlate mathematical symbols,
signs, and formulas. Her/his is unable to understand
simple mathematical concept
S/he may not like teacher, way of teaching , teacher’s way
of talking, teacher’s personality, teacher's behaviour
towards the student, therefore s/he develops negative
learning attitude towards a subject
S/he may facing family trauma like, parent looking for
divorce, a child without care taker, surrounding , societies,
careless environment at home
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 17
18. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
Her/ his parent may not have time to spend with kids but
fulfilling all wishes/desires of ward so that child does not
disturb parent. This habit develops a negative attitude
among some of children which reflects in academic
performance
Child is too much fond of video games, tv, operating
laptop, mobile, surfing too much internet, work like
negative catalyst which results in lack of lesson learning
interest later it reflects in academic performance
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 18
19. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 19
20. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 20
21. Wise educator indentifies academic challenged learner as:-
Above sample notebook of Hindi and English subject
Mr. Veeru can not complete work until his teacher uses
different strategies to do so. Several times he tears friend
pages , hide notebooks of friend. He does not stay with parent.
" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan 21
Mr. Satyam tries to be a smart
boy to show the task very
soon. He has drawn this
diagram but due to lack of
concentration, he could draw
like this. So-----
25. Educational paradigm shifted long ago from teacher to student.
Educator feels speechless before the logical answer usually
given by smart kids however, they may be academic
challenged learners. I firmly believe that a learner can learn
everything either complex or simple topic. The educator can
bring a massive change in every learner of his/her class, if
s/he takes this task as his/her own task to achieve, because
then it will demand , minute observation of a child, i.e. learning
habit of a child, action and reaction of a child, the reason
within and behind for poor performance, attitude, interest,
physical and mental growth, father , mother. If educator takes
challenge to mould academically challenged learner into a fine
human being, surely learner will achieve everything...
25
What did you choose?
26. If an educator is determined to bring desirable change in ACL ,
result can be seen over a period of time. Wise educator works
on method, materials and managing pace with ACL learning
styles. ACL learning depends on developing a right attitude to
taste a sense of success over a period of time. Sense of
achieving something boosts up the confidence of ACL and
building of confidence leads to developing self interest for
learning lesson. ACL learning ratio is basically proportionate to
developing his own self interest to achieve. The day, “ S/He
feels” that s/he is equal to one and all in the class, also at
house and can do equally well like Rohan/Ranjan in a subject,
educator hard work is started taking a shape and can give
desirable learning interest in coming days.....................
26
What did you choose?
27. Educator efforts to create a circle can have great impact in ACL
life
27
What did you choose?
28. Learning is always good. Men, Method and Materials (MMM)
can be different. Customization of these three MMM for the
welfare of individual learner can be best result orientated
path. Individual’s integrity should be taken care utmost
level.
Repetition, repetition, repetition, educator/parent (EP) may
feel frustrating like anything but it has great impact on
mind (subconscious/unconscious). If ACL is ready to
share facts/points after repetitive learning, s/he may feel
motivated that yes! S/he knows something
28
What did you choose?
29. If educator/parent (EP) provides a lot of success oriented
activities. ACL feels that today I have learnt this
word/sentence/formulas/concept
If educator/parent (EP) starts the one to one conversation
with ACL by asking question what they know about topics.
EP builds up ACL confidence by teaching some familiar
material
ACL performs well if educator tries to teach students
simple concept in a simple way. So try to present simple
and focused materials, language, directions and verbal
information at ACL level
29
What did you choose?
30. If educator/parent (EP) teaches the material/topics
subconsciously without realizing them that they are being
taught. EP uses various techniques i.e. connect topics day
to day life , gives familiar example which ACL faces in a
routine life, may be through using humour, story, may be
providing multiple clues to take ACL nearby
answer/understanding/concept, may be shortening the
long text into precise text(step to step), may be converting
long text into key words/key concepts
(Note- educator/parent (EP) efforts/ knowledge must not
super succeed ACL learning limits)
30
What did you choose?
31. If educator/parent (EP) helps ACL to memorise lessons in
a simple way like:-
Educator can highlight key words, sentences, important
facts or ideas in a passage
Educator helps ACL to write a short summary of text in a
simple words to focus on main points and facts of the text
Educator helps to identify 'keyword' and its meaning to
recall a central idea about the lesson/text
Educator tries to create a mental picture to remember
main points and facts
Educator helps ACL to memorize the facts and the points
in simple words and later asks to reframe in own words
and also motivate to write on paper
31
What did you choose?
32. If educator/parent (EP) provides maximum opportunity
to communicate the class through writing board , may be a
word meaning , writing correct spelling, framing a
sentence, key concept, a short definition, a formula .
Firstly ACL takes this opportunity as non- serious tasks,
may show disinterest to go nearby writing board but
educator/parent (EP) personal touch and personal
respect increases the confidence of ACL. ACL feels like an
active member of the class. Slowly s/he starts realizing
his/her worth and contribution among several students
If educator/parent (EP) tries to relate the topic to the real
life situation
32
What did you choose?
33. If educator/parent (EP) moves around the class and speak
to ACL for a while (may I help you in completing task/do
you have any problem/can you see blackboard properly).
This humanistic approach removes the tension/stress
level of ACL which s/he faces in regular classroom
situation)
If educator/parent (EP) steals some moment for ACL out
of busy task schedule and communicate to them at any
comfortable place (may be ACL is seating at a corner in the
field while others are playing(Ask what he did in the
school?, Ask about the TV shows s/he watches?/Did he
like today’s class etc)
33
What did you choose?
34. If educator/parent (EP) includes educational games,
puzzles, and other techniques which suits level of
students. It develops interest in learning new things
Language of love and care are understood by everyone. If
educator/parent (EP) brings a lot of love and care for the
ACL on different occasions, ACL develops positive learning
interest in specific subjects. The day ACL starts loving the
teacher; s/he will start improving in particular
subject/area
34
What did you choose?
35. If educator/parent (EP) brings humor in the class to create
interest and also provides comfort level for the learner in
the classroom. Generally, ACL suffers from low self esteem,
low confidence, and moreover listening negative criticism
from various teachers develops stubbornness and a sense
of rigidness in ACL. Educator’s sense of humor gives a big
relief for ACL. They look forward for learning in the class.
Educators’ positive attitude towards ACL creates positive
learning platform.
35
What did you choose?
36. ACL performs well if educator uses demonstration
techniques and visual cues for ACL. Too much verbal
instructions or teaching may distract ACL.
If educator/parent (EP) gives extra time to ask question
for ACL as well as wait some moment for his/her answer.
ACL feels comfort in this class.
If educator/parent (EP) provides remedial teaching ACL
to avoid confusion and chaos in the classroom. We need
not hamper others learning for ACL.
If educator/parent (EP) gives individual attention to ACL.
36
What did you choose?
38. If educator/parent (EP) challenges the ACL to do some
achievable objectives. Habit of achieving something
develops right attitude towards learning. It may be in
terms of completing small task i.e. speaking in assembly,
speaking in classroom, giving reply, completion of
homework/class work on time, writing daily home work
in student diary, listening and following educators’
instructions and even developing a sense of keeping
classroom/school ground neat and clean, habit of saving
drinking water/electricity, helping old citizen, helping
poor people. It may appear non-academic tasks however it
is directly linked with developing a sense of responsibility
and accountability. Gradually these non-academic habits
help ACL to do best in academic also.
38
What did you choose?
39. Educator creates wonder if he develops a friendly
environment with a sense of following school/classroom
rules i.e. when to speak, taking permission before doing a
task, actively participating in classroom activity, following
instructions properly, completing task on time. Educator
should not feel hesitation to help ACL in providing guided
instruction during an activity
Distraction is one of most dominant characteristic of ACL.
Educator should arrange the class and activity in a
systematic way so that ACL could get less chance for
distraction. Change their seat to promote
attentiveness( bring these children to the front seat)
39
What did you choose?
40. If educator/parent (EP) promotes a peer student teacher
teaching techniques. Since ACL has short span attention
habit. Educator can handle ACL individually for
completion of tasks i.e. reading, writing. Educator can
maximize learning if s/he divides learning activities in
step by step especially giving a break between two
activities
If educator/parent (EP) personalizes the classroom. S/he
knows name of students and call students by their name
or touch them before giving the direction, write the
directions on the board or paper for ACL to remember it
for a long time , and may ask student to repeat the
direction orally
40
What did you choose?
41. Educator/parent ‘s efforts should be shaping ACL to become
a curious learner. Educator develops challenging attitude
to become a better learner
If educator/parent (EP) is well aware about latest
educational, psychological and useful medical research,
latest teaching techniques, latest educational
technological development which directly or indirectly
empower educator to a wise educator, a fine catalyst and a
guide
41
What did you choose?
43. Assessment of slow learners should be realistic
basis. Test should be conducted step by step from
simple to complex. A teacher can conduct:
Shorter tests
Oral testing
Redoing tests
Multiple choice questions, true or false, fill in the
blanks to develop their self confidence
Teacher should provide short feedback to the
learners but without creating threatening
environment
02/09/17 43" Teaching is an art" Rajeev Ranjan
45. We should not demoralize academic challenged learners.
Sarcastic comments demoralize students. It gives birth of
agitation and aggression against the educator, parent and friend.
We should not give a bad name to ACL. Avoid putting a stamp of
inability ,or underachiever for a learner. Nobody knows the
inbuilt power of an individual. Nobody knows the fortune of an
individual. Nobody can determine the future of an individual. So ,
why we are attacking on individual’s integrity. ACL is poor
academic performer for more than one reason. Our whole effort
should be directed to identify the problem, planning ways to
improve weak areas of learner and executing those ideas to bring
desirable changes in the life of an academic challenged learner.
45
What did you choose?
46. Motivation towards learning is undoubtedly one of the key
aspects of pupil learning and it is also a source of important
differences between pupils(Leo and Galloway, 1996; Slavin,
1991)
Poor academic performance is a result of poor self image, self
esteem, disinterestedness, and distractedness. Motivation
works a lot in ACL life. It can be in terms of a encouraging
comments, clapping in the class, a star on cheeks, a token of
love ,(a pen, pencil , card), giving responsibility, showing faith
in them, sharing ACL positive strength to peers, friends and
family members. Even it can be allowing to play , watching
favourite television serials etc, however terms and conditions
should be always decided and determined by the
educator/parent, not the learners. 46
What did you choose?
48. We always say, educator is a facilitator, a guide and a catalyst. We need a
facilitator when it comes to deal with academic challenged learner. Teacher
has to take extra pain, do extra effort, devote extra time and dedicate some
of his professional moments to help ACL to become an inquisitive learner,
no matter how much slow. Generally in a school 6-10 out of 100 students
may fall into ACL category (number may vary) .
Educator should communicate regularly with school leader and parent as well
as other co-educator to discuss positively about ACL. We should aware
other teachers if we identify an ACL , so that other teachers also contribute
something to improve ACL learning experiences. We should be flexible in
designing different types of learning activities to promote learning. We
should be able to change tools and techniques of teaching in course of time.
Academic challenged learner can do wonder if a wise educator is
determined to change an ACL into an active learner. Of course, I count this
kind act as a service to the nation, and to the God. Can we do it?
48
What did you choose?
49. Our son/daughter is hope for future. Parent wishes to see his/her child as
Icon of society without knowing child’s expectation and experience. Child
becomes a source of fulfilling our own missed dreams and desires. A
child becomes a centre of comparison with one and all. Sometimes parents’
fulfilled/unfulfilled, numerous conscious/unconscious desires
knowingly/unknowingly pressuring a child to expand the wings beyond
the limit. Our high hopes and big dreams to shape our child as
multitalented, multidimensional, multifaceted, and versatile personality
without knowing the nature and inbuilt talent of a child can be destructive.
I humbly request parent to know your child’s inbuilt power. Your child is
unique. Let him/her to grow in his own way. Be a vigilant parent, arrange
necessary comfort for him, cooperate and share your observation to the
educator. This is your own child , your own future and unique to be grown
up an integrated human being. Certainly he will grow, be kind enough , be
patient enough , be persistent and consistent enough to treat him as a
unique individual who possess all characteristics of a unique personality.
49
What did you choose?
50. What can we do for our kids?
1. Keen observation of his/her growth
2. Aware about his/her weakness and strength
3. Aware about his/her learning styles (No matter what is your profession)
4. Try to know the reason of his/her poor academic performance
5. Spend some moments with your child (No matter what is your profession)
6. Positively communicate your concrete observation (behaviour, study habit,
good/ bad habit) with educator so that wise educator can work for
developing right attitude. It is observed that sometimes child follows
educator’s instruction more positively than parent
7. Coordinating with educator/subject expert/child expert regarding poor
academic performance can be helpful for parent. Always try to do your
own effort to improve your child academic performance besides other
educational/personal stakeholder
50
What did you choose?
51. What can we do for our kids?
1. Parent can contact teacher to find out whether there is pending work
to complete/ especial revision of a topic. Help the child to complete
given task at home (If you have time/please do not give excuse of
time)
2. Help student to sit at a place for short time for completion of a task
(reading a paragraph, practicing mathematical problem etc), may be
for half an hour because ACL has difficulty of short span memory ,
even ACL can not concentrate on academic work for a long time.
3. ACL does not like writing task very much because they feel writing
is a tough task. Parent has to work very hard for developing writing
habit. Educator as well as parent should work together for
developing writing habit which is one of main reason for poor
academic performance.
51
What did you choose?
52. What can we do for our kids?
1. Rational motivation on right time works a lot in the life of academic
challenged learner
2. Avoid developing a bad habit of giving reward every time for a little
achievement or child should not developing habit of putting a
condition to complete a task i.e. I will do this only if you provide me
chocolate-
3. Developing a positive attitude to be self reliant gradually works a lot
i.e. Fix time for play, study , watching television, surfing internet ,
using social sites , playing video game or playing in the ground with
peer. It must not be too rigid or strict(mechanical way) but flexibility
or review can be done. Slowly child should follow it by own with a
sense of satisfaction
52
What did you choose?
53. What can we do for our kids?
1. Do not try to compare your child’s
academic performance with his/her
peers/friends, younger one, older one ,
relative’s , neighbourhood child
2. Avoid criticizing your child every time,
every where, and to every one (near &
dear) regarding poor academic
performance of child
53
What did you choose?
56. Groniond, N.E. (1982). Constructing achievement tests. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-
Hall.
Carroll, Servio, Accommodating the “Slow Learner” in the Classroom.
http://www.aas.ru/Academics/counselor/teach/slolrner.thml
Rhona Leff, Educational Consultant and former Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Levin, J.R., Levin, M.E., Glasman, L.D., & Nordwall, M.B. (1992). Mnemonic vocabulary
instruction: Additional effectiveness evidence. Contemporary Educational
Psychology, 17, 156-174
National Curriculum Framework( NCF,2005)
Dweck, C.S. (2002). Messages that motivate: How praise molds student’s beliefs,
motivation, and performance (in surprising ways).
Martin, M., &Waltman-Greenwood, C(EDs) (1995). Solve your child’s school-related
problems. Bethesda, MD: NASP
Borah, R. (2013). Slow Learners: Role of Teachers and Guardians in Honing their
Hidden Skills. International Journal of Educational Planning & Administration, 139-
143.
Muppudathi, G. (2014). Role of Teachers on Helping Slow Learners to bring out their
Hidden Skills. International Journal of Scientific Research, 3(3), 98-99.
56" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan
58. Rajeev Ranjan
Principal
B.Ed(English), PGDTE & Psy. Counselor
English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Email .Id : rajeevbhuvns@gmail.com
Website: www.rajeevranjan.net
58" Teaching is an art". Rajeev Ranjan