Section 2.2: Learner Exceptionalities 2.1.6 - Compare Theories and Philosophies of Education and Training Impacting Learners With Exceptionalities

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Section 2.

2: Learner Exceptionalities
2.1.6 - Compare theories and philosophies of education and training impacting learners
with exceptionalities

The word exceptionality means, “individuals whose physical, behavioral, or cognitive

performance is so different from the norm that additional services are required.” When training

to become a teacher, it is most important to learn how you can teach to every child’s ability, with

or without exceptionalities and even giftedness. Howard Gardner, Benjamin Bloom and B.F.

Skinner are educational theorists who dove deeper into the world of exceptionalities and because

of them, IEP and 504 plans were implemented across the world so that each student’s situation

was monitored and guided.

Taking a closer look into important educational theorists, is Howard Gardner. He

discovered the Theory of Multiple Intelligence. This theory explains how humans have several

different ways of processing information and teachers must implement different techniques to

reach every student. Putting this theory into place promises this as a result, all children will reach

a new level of understanding and no child will be left behind. Gardner says that using logic,

mental images, sound/music and communication to teach students, will apply to every kind of

learner in the classroom. Benjamin Bloom had his own theory that piggyback off of Gardner’s.

Bloom believed in methods of taxonomy, or thought processes, he created a scale based on how

students learn in different ways. The scale reads : remember, understand, apply, analyze,

evaluate, and create (evidence 2.2.1).

Another notable theorist who shaped the world of exceptionalities for an abundance of

students is, B.F. Skinner. He spent his lifetime studying behaviorism and ended up learning that

behavior is acquired through conditioning or through the use of both positive and negative

punishment as reinforcement. Growing up, I always remembered every teacher having some kind
of rewards system for good behavior and consequences for bad behavior. Skinner believed if

teachers implemented reward systems, punishment, or simply a behavior chart, the classroom

will flourish as a whole (evidence 2.2.2).

Thanks to the findings of educational theories, education has grown tremendously and

discovered the best methods to prevent students with exceptionalities from slipping through the

cracks. IEP and 504 plans were found as the solutions; they made sure every child with

exceptionalities will get the attention, help, and guidance they need to thrive. Depending on their

exceptionality and the severity, each plan will be customized to their needs. IEP is a more

individual plan that includes specific goals for that particular student, in contrast to the 504 plan,

of which only consists of accommodations such as; having extended time on tests or having

pre-filled out teacher notes. (evidence 2.2.3)

To further understand exceptionalities, my Teacher Academy class completed a “Special

needs” simulation so we, as future teachers, can find empathy for each student. Each task was

designed to mimic a different disability such as; dyslexia, dysgraphia, non-verbal learning

disabilities and more. Overall my experience was uncomfortable and yet very eye opening, I

wrote a reflection essay following the simulation (this can be seen in evidence 2.2.4). I can’t

imagine a student enduring these challenges every day of their life, I was extremely frustrated

and exhausted only after participating for a few hours. When I become a teacher I will hold a

greater respect and understanding of students with exceptionalities.

Due to the works of theorists such as, Howard Gardner, Benjamin Bloom, B.F. Skinner

and many more, teachers now have better resources to help differentiate their teaching. The word

differentiate means, “The acknowledgement of all different learning styles such as visual,

kinesthetic, auditory, or collaborative and valuing all types of learners” (evidence 2.2.5). Thanks
to these studies and theories, students with exceptionalities are grasping educational topics faster

and feeling less lost within the classroom.

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