2.

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

From an educational standpoint there are multiple theories about how students

take information and how they perform in the classroom. These educational theories are

extremely important to a teacher while creating lesson plans and the way they are

running their classroom. But students are not all the same; they have different strengths

and talents (exceptionalities). These exceptionalities like gifted students, students with

IEP’s and 504 plans require teachers to make changes to curriculum and lesson plan.

Theorists like Howard Gardner and Jean Piaget can help teachers differentiate their

classroom.

One theory that can help teachers is Howard Gardner, a cognitive theorist.

Gardner's theory, coined multiple intelligences states that students do not all have the

same strengths and that we all learn best in different ways. Some students may be

more musical or a verbal learner(2.2.1). Next we have Jean Piaget, Piaget created

stages of cognitive development and brain development for children(2.2.2). The theory

of Taxonomy proposed by Benjamin Bloom focuses on the thinking process for students

and the steps to take to reach higher level thinking(2.2.3). Lastly John Dewey proposed

a theory that students should have the opportunity to learn how to adapt in the real

world and use life skills. (2.2.4)

Students with exceptionalities will have an IEP, a 504 plan or more to help fit

their needs. To help us understand more about students with any differentiation plan in

school we had special ed speaker-Mr.Lucas come in to talk to us(2.2.5). First he talked

about students with an IEP who will have goals set to help them achieve academic

targets. An IEP can be used to help students with behavioral, social and educational

needs. Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development can help students with IEP to help

realize where that student should be mentally. Also you can use Benjamin Bloom's

theory of taxonomy to help students reach their goals by following the step by step

process of thought process. Next Mr. Lucas talks about a 504 plan, a 504 plan is used

to make accommodations for a student. For example a student with anxiety will need to

have modifications to the curriculum like a different testing room or less questions on a

test to allow them to be in a place where they can succeed. Howard Gardner's theory of

multiple intelligence can apply to students with exceptionalities. You can use Gardner's

theory to help differentiate in a classroom to help fit the needs of all types of learners.

Dewey's theory can help disadvantaged students to learn how to use resources in the

real world not provided for them at home.