The 1:1 Difference in the Classroom

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, put forth in his 1983 groundbreaking work, "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences," changed the way many educators delivered instruction. Traditional teaching methods were designed to reach students with strong linguistic and logical-mathematical abilities. Gardner argued that these were just two types of intelligence. Defining intelligence as the ability to problem-solve and create, Gardner identified five other intelligences: Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal. A combination of cultural and biological factors influences a child's strength in each of these areas.
 
To tap into a child's strengths, a classroom teacher needs to present lessons in the way best understood by the child.  Dr. Benjamin Bloom, who extensively researched ways to improve classroom instruction, developed his Learning for Mastery method, which required teachers to assess student progress as they were learning and adjust instruction to target deficiencies. Bloom found that learning is optimized when students are recognized and actively participate in class. His research shows that students receiving this one-to-one attention outperformed their peers by 98 percent in traditional classrooms.
 
Slipping Through The Cracks
Policy-makers certainly realize the importance of small class sizes, but the realities of budgets make it difficult. The California Education Code requires its schools keep class sizes to 30 or fewer students. Even for an outstanding Master Teacher, meeting the individual needs of more than two dozen students at one time is a nearly impossible task. Students whose strengths are in intelligences other than language and mathematics may be lost in the crowd. It is too easy for a student to "disappear" among the rows of desks in a crowded classroom. Students with strong academic skills become bored and disengaged as their teachers are forced to teach to the middle. Too many students slip through the cracks and graduate high school unprepared for college and career.
 
A Better Choice
A better option for learning is a schooling model that embraces one-to-one learning, such as the program at Halstrom Academy. Halstrom educators work with students and parents to develop customized learning plans. This gives the student a stake in his or her own learning and ensures a student's personal strengths will be utilized.
 
Students progress through the material as slowly as necessary to ensure mastery, but they are not held back when they are ready to move forward. Halstrom teachers provide multiple means of presenting materials including interactive websites, field trips, learning apps, videos and movies to reach the different intelligences of each student. The one-to-one model fosters trusting relationships between students and teachers, improves communications and eliminates the distractions so common in traditional classrooms. "The teachers took the time to get to know my daughter and incorporate her interests into the curriculum", says Kris G, parent of a Halstrom student. "Now school is something she enjoys."
 
Teachers at Halstrom conduct formative assessments, measuring a student's progress during the learning process and adjusting lessons to keep the student striving towards goals. This type of assessing requires regular, individualized attention. Traditional schools more often must rely on cumulative assessments. With these, a student progresses through an entire unit of study, is tested at the end, assigned a grade and then moved on to the next unit. There is nothing in the traditional model that ensures a student's masters one area before moving on to the next.
 
"The focused one-to-one engagement has unlocked and turned on the bright kid that everyone knew was there." Says Halstrom parent Michael S. Halstrom, whose students are thriving in this environment. "I like the one-to-one instruction because I don't get distracted. I'm learning more and getting my grades up!" says student Rusty R.
 
Because a Halstrom student is deeply involved with his or her own learning program, Halstrom graduates, in addition to earning diplomas, come away understanding their own best learning styles. This is where the one-to-one program really shines. Armed with the self-knowledge of how to learn, a graduate will be better prepared to tackle all the challenges life beyond high school brings.
 
Gillian Burdett is a freelance writer covering all things home and living. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.