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Field Study 1 - Learning Episode 2 – Learning Diversity: Developmental
Characteristics, Needs and Interests
My Learning Episode Overview
Episode 2 provides me with an opportunity to observe learners of different
ages and grade levels. It highlights the differences in their characteristics and needs. As a
future teacher, it is important for me to determine my learners’ characteristics and needs
so that I will be able to plan and implement learning activities and assessment that are all
developmentally appropriate.
My Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of this Episode, I must be able to describe the characteristics, needs
and interests of learners from different developmental levels. (3.1.1).
OBSERVE, ANALYZE, REFLECT
ACTIVITY 2.1- Observing Learner Characteristics at different stages
Resource Teacher: ________________ Teacher’s Signature: ________ School: _______
Grade/Year Level: ______________ Subject Area: ________________Date: _________
Read the following statement carefully. Then write your observation report on the
provided space.
Physical
1. Observe their gross motor skills how they carry themselves, how they move,
walk, run, go up the stairs, etc.
2. Are gross movements clumsy or deliberate/smooth?
3. How about their fine motor skills? Writing, drawing, etc.
Social
1. Describe how they interact with teacher and other adults.
2. Note how they also interact with peers. What do they talk about? What are their
concerns?
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Emotional
1. Describe the emotional disposition or temperament of the learners.(happy, sad,
cries, mood shifts)
2. How they express their wants/needs? Can they wait?
3. How do they handle frustrations?
4. Describe their level of confidence as shown in their behavior. Any self-conscious?
Cognitive
1. Describe their ability to use words to communicate their ideas. Not their language
proficiency.
2. Describe how they figure out things. Do they comprehend easily? Look for
evidence of their thinking skills.
3. Were there opportunities for problem solving? Describe how they showed
problem solving abilities.
LEARNERS’ DEVELOPMENT MATRIX
Record the data you gathered about the learner’s characteristics and needs in this
matrix. This will allow you to compare the characteristics and needs of learners at
different levels. The items under each domain are by no means exhaustive. These are just
sample indicators. You may add other aspects which you may have observed.
DEVELOPMENT PRESCHOOLER ELEMENTARY HIGH SCHOOL
DOMAIN
Indicate age range of Indicate age range of Indicate age range of
children observed: children observed: children observed:
_________ _________ _________
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Physical
Gross-motor skills
Fine-motor skills
Self-help skills
Others:
Social
Interaction with
Teachers
Interaction with
Classmates/friends
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Interests
Others:
Emotional
Moods and
temperament,
expression of feelings
Emotional
independence
Others:
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Cognitive
Communication Skills
Thinking skills
Problem-solving
Others:
ANALYZE
Write the most salient developmental characteristics of the learners you observed.
Based on these characteristics, think of implications for the teacher.
LEVEL SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS IMPLICATIONS TO THE
TEACHING- LEARNING
PROCESS
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Preschool
Age range of learners
observed _____
Elementary
Age range of learners
observed _____
High School
Age range of learners
observed _____
REFLECT
1. While you were observing the learners, did you recall your own experiences when
you were their age? What similarities or differences do you have with the learners
you observed?
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2. Think of a teacher you cannot forget for positive or negative reasons. How did
she/he help or not help you with your needs (physical, emotional, social and
cognitive)? How did it affect you?
__________________________________________________________________
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3. Share your other insights here.
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LINK Theory to Practice
Direction: Read the items given below and encircle the correct answer.
1. A 14-year-old felt ignored by her crush whom she believes is her one true love.
She is crying incessantly and refuses to listen and accept sound advice that the
teacher is offering. Her refusal to accept is because _________________.
a. she thinks what she feels is too special and unique, that no one has felt
like this before
b. the teenager’s favorite word is “no”, and she will simply reject
everything the teacher says
c. 14-year-olds are not yet capable of perspective taking and cannot take
the teacher’s perspective
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d. teenagers never listen to adult advice
2. A preschool teacher is thinking about how best to develop the fine motor skills of
the 4 year olds. Which of the following should he best consider?
a. Provide daily coloring book activities.
b. Ask the children to do repeated writing drills everyday.
c. Encourage children to eat independently.
d. Conduct a variety of fun and challenging activities involving hand
muscles daily.
3. Science Teacher Rita showed her class a glass of water with an egg in it. She
asked the class: “What happens to the egg if I add three tablespoon salt to the
glass of water?” This is hypothesis formulation. What can you infer about the
cognitive developmental stage of Teacher Rita’s class?
a. Formal Operational Stage
b. Concrete Operational Stage
c. Pre-operational Stage
d. Between concrete and formal operational stage
SHOW Your Learning Artifacts
Which is you favorite theory of development. How can this guide you as a future teacher?
Clip some readings about this theory and paste them here.
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