Diversity in society

Students learning capabilities:

* Structured tasks which focus on specific and explicit strategies in the subject context;
* Capacity in lessons for more effective exchanges between the learner and the teacher concerning the purpose of the activity;
* Small group interactions promoting articulation about the use of learning strategies;
* Mechanisms built into learning tasks to promote checking for mutual understanding of learning goals by peers and with the teacher;
* Enhanced opportunities for the learner to receive diagnostic feedback linked directly to the content of the task.
We can also identify some necessary conditions for these approaches to be successful:
* The teacher needs to have good understanding of the subject, of different approaches to learning and be sensitive to the demands of different types of learners;
* Teachers should have a repertoire of practical tools and strategies to guide the learner and enhance opportunities for feedback about learning;
* Both teachers and learners should have an orientation towards learning characterised by a willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiation regarding the intent and purpose of a particular teaching and learning activity;
* The focus of learning should be on how to succeed through effort rather than ability and through the selection of appropriate strategies by the learner.