One of the most important tasks a teacher has when planning instruction is to find out the learning needs and background information of all the students. The contextual factors will change for each class of students and teachers need to modify and change learning activities so that all students can have an opportunity to learn to their utmost capabilities.
Generally, there are two categories of contextual factors. The first is the community in which the students live. Remember that environment impacts on the lives of students. Be aware and familiar of the opportunities and challenges your students may have in the world outside of the school. The second is the school and classroom environments. These can greatly impact on the lives of students. How accommodating and accepting are these environments? How conducive to positive and constructive growth and development are these environments? No doubt within that examination is identifying the learning needs of all students.
Be as specific as you can as to the various learning needs and situations of your students.
Grade: _____ Collaborating Teacher: __________________ School_________________
Consider the following in your description of the Contextual Factors for the class youÕll be teaching:
Describe how the characteristics of the community may impact teaching and learning. You should focus on:
Much of this information can be found in the report cards issued yearly for each school. These are available on the internet at http://www.usoe.org. [Please do NOT call the school. Talk to your collaborating teacher and check various sources on the internet: the district and schoolÕs websites.]
q School, Classroom, and Individual Students
Finally, write up the implications of your findings that focus on explaining how the characteristics of the community, the school, and the individual students will affect your design for instruction.