Individual Differences in Learners

Individual Differences in Learners -Areas of Individual differences - Factors causing individual differences – Heredity and environment - General provisions for fostering individual differences in the classroom

1. Individual Differences Among Learners Suresh Babu G Assistant Professor CTE CPAS Paippad , Kottayam School

2. Individual differences No two individuals are alike, not even identical twins. Individuals differ in their intelligence, aptitude, interest, attitude and other personality traits. These differences between individuals that separate them from one another and make one unique individual in one self are termed as individual difference.

3. Definitions of Individual Differences According to Wintz , the variations in the psych-physical formation of individuals that makes one a unique person is called individual difference Osbotne considers individual difference as dissimilarity between person that distinguish from one another

4. Nature of Individual differences Individual difference are one of degree, not one of kind : refers to quantitative difference found among individuals in respect of a specific trait or various traits. Normal distribution of traits There exist both inter-individual and intra-individual difference

5. Type or Varieties or areas of Individual differences Physical difference : Shortness or tallness of stature, darkness or fairness of complexion, fatness, thinness, or weakness are various physical individual differences. Mental difference : There are differences in intelligence level among different individuals. We can classify the individuals from super-normal (above 120 I.Q.) to idiots (from 0 to 50 I.Q.) on the basis of their intelligence level.

6. Difference in motor ability : There are differences in motor ability. These differences are visible at different ages. Some people can perform mechanical tasks easily, while others, even though they are at the same level, feel much difficulty in performing these tasks . Difference in achievements :  It has been found through achievement tests that individuals differ in their achievement abilities. These differences are very much visible in reading, writing and in learning mathematics. Type or Varieties or areas of Individual differences

7. Emotional difference : Individuals differ in their emotional reactions to a particular situation. Some are irritable and aggressive and they get angry very soon. There are others who are of peaceful nature and do not get angry easily. At a particular thing an individual may be so much enraged that he may be prepared for the worst crime like murder, while another person may only laugh at it. Type or Varieties or areas of Individual differences

8. Difference in interests and aptitudes : Some take interest in meeting people, attending social function, while others feel happy in solitude, avoid social gathering. Some have mechanical aptitude, while the others have scholastic, musical or artistic aptitude. Difference in attitude, beliefs and opinions : There will be difference in attitudes may be positive, negative or of different nature toward people , objects or ideas. Some believe in one thing others does not. Some are conservative and rigid while others are progressive, liberal and dynamic. Type or Varieties or areas of Individual differences

9. Learning difference : Some learn more easily than others, for some individuals one method of learning and memorization is more suitable others cannot etc. Difference in social and moral development : Some found to be adjusted to social situations and lead happy life others cannot. Some have more moral sense. Type or Varieties or areas of Individual differences

10. Factors causing individual difference The main two factors causing Individual difference are : Individual difference

11. Heredity Heredity is the sum total of the physical and mental qualities that an individual inherits from his parents. These qualities are transmitted to the person from parents through genes in the chromosomes. According to Peterson , heredity of an individual may be defined as what he gets from his ancestral stock through his parents. People belong to different heredity stock and are thus bound to differ in native endowments and characteristics. These native endowments, abilities and capacities provided by the heredity decide the limit of one’s growth and development in various dimensions and aspects of one’s personality.

12. Heredity Biological Heredity Social Heredity Involves all those physiological and psychological characteristics which a person inherits from his parents through genes in the chromosomes It refers to all that one generation gets from preceding generations in the form of social customs, traditions, ideals, values etc . Freeman (1928) conducted a correlated study of intelligence and he found that coefficient of correlation between intelligence test scores increases with increase in genetic resemblance

13. Environment It refers to the physical surroundings and thought and attitudes of others which exert an influence on individual. Education, training, experience, nourishment and all other stimulations come under environment influences. According to Woodworth , environment covers all outside factors that have acted on the individual since he began life. Give me any child, I will make him what you desire – J.B.Watson

14. Relative importance of Heredity and Environment Both h eredity and environment determines the personality of individual Heredity sets the probable biological limits, where as environment determines the level up to which the development is possible. Any one of two ( Heredity or Environment) is equal to zero, it will have a drastic effect on the total personality Heredity deals the cards but environment plays them Personality = Heredity X Environment

15. General provisions for fostering Individual Differences in the Classroom Proper Knowledge of the individual’s potentialities : For this proper help from intelligence tests, cumulative record card, interest inventories, attitude scales , aptitude tests and measures for assessing personality traits should be taken. Ability Grouping : Based on various test the students in a class or area of activity can be divided into homogeneous groups. I t is useful for adjusting instruction. General provisions for fostering Individual Differences in the Classroom

16. Adjusting curriculum : It should have the provision for a number of diversified courses and co-curricular experiences so that the pupils may get opportunity to study and work in the areas of their own interests and abilities. Adjusting the methods of teaching : Each teacher should be free to formulate his own plan and strategy and adopt instructional procedure, which he finds most, suited to the particular types of pupils under him. He should try to follow a different procedure or methods of instruction according to the requirements of students General provisions for fostering Individual Differences in the Classroom

17. Adapting special programmes or methods for individualizing instruction : Schools may also adopt some special programme or methods of teaching like Dalton plan, the Winnetka plan, the project method or use programmed learning material for enabling the students to learn at their own individual rate. Other measures of individualized instruction : For it a few practicable measures can also prove beneficial The size of the class should be as small as possible General provisions for fostering Individual Differences in the Classroom

18. 2. The teacher should keep individualized attention. 3. Teacher should keep in view the individual difference of his students while encaging in class works. 4. I f ability grouping is not possible, Special coaching and guidance programmes should be conducted for both dull and gifted General provisions for fostering Individual Differences in the Classroom