Mary E. Pettit, NBCT, Ed.D, May 22, 2024
6 Barriers to Teaching & Learning
Barrier #1: Standardized Testing
Standardized testing has long been criticized for its tendency to create barriers to learning and perpetuate inequities within the education system. One of the key issues with standardized testing is its narrow focus on assessing a limited set of skills, often at the expense of a holistic understanding of a student’s abilities. This can lead to an overemphasis on rote memorization and test-taking strategies, rather than meaningful learning experiences that promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Moreover, the use of standardized testing as the primary measure of academic success can result in a narrowed curriculum, as educators may feel compelled to focus primarily on test-related content at the expense of enriching and diverse educational experiences. This limited scope of learning can restrict students’ exposure to varied subjects and critical thinking opportunities, ultimately hindering their overall educational development.
Barrier #2: Whole Class Instruction
Whole group instruction, while a commonly used teaching method, can present significant barriers to learning for many students. One of the key issues with whole group instruction is its tendency to overlook student variability. By delivering instruction to the entire class as a unit, teachers will always struggle to provide a universal and equitable learning experience to all students. Without considering a universally designed approach to teaching and learning, the academic advancement of students with varied learning styles and abilities will persist in creating disparities and perpetuating inequalities.
Additionally, whole group instruction can lead to disengagement among students who do not find the content relevant to their personal interests or learning pace. As a result, these students may become disenchanted with the learning process, leading to decreased motivation and participation in classroom activities. Furthermore, the pace of whole group instruction may not be conducive to optimal learning for all students, as it can either move too fast for some or too slow for others, resulting in a loss of instructional efficiency.
Barrier #3: Homework
Homework, a longstanding tradition in education, has been a subject of debate regarding its potential to create barriers to effective learning. On one hand, homework is often intended to reinforce learning and foster independent study habits in students. However, it can inadvertently perpetuate inequalities and hinder educational progress.
The volume and nature of homework assignments can impede students’ engagement in other enriching activities outside of the classroom. Excessive homework load can lead to heightened stress and anxiety among students, potentially leading to burnout and reduced motivation for learning. Additionally, the focus on homework completion as a measure of academic diligence may overshadow the diverse ways in which students engage with and internalize course content, thus neglecting student variability and preferences. A UDL approach to homework can mitigate its potential negative impact and promote an inclusive learning environment for all students.
Barrier #4: Maintain the Status Quo
A narrowed curriculum perpetuates inequitable learning opportunities by maintaining the status quo through its limited scope of educational experiences. When educators feel compelled to focus primarily on test-related content at the expense of enriching and diverse educational experiences, students’ exposure to varied subjects and critical thinking opportunities becomes restricted. This limitation hinders the overall educational development of students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds who may benefit greatly from a broad and inclusive curriculum.
Furthermore, a narrowed curriculum may reinforce existing societal inequalities by failing to adequately address student variability and interests. By prioritizing a limited set of skills over universal learning experiences that promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, the curriculum can contribute to the perpetuation of disparities in educational achievement. Students who do not fit within the narrow parameters of the curriculum may find themselves at a distinct disadvantage which perpetuates inequities within the education system.
Barrier #5: Physical Books
The traditional use of physical books in education can inadvertently create barriers to effective learning for some. Physical books can impede learning because of their lack of accessibility for all students. Students with visual impairments or other diverse learning styles may encounter difficulties in accessing and processing information from traditional printed materials, leading to inequitable educational opportunities. This limitation underscores the significance of incorporating inclusive and accessible digital literacy learning resources to ensure that all students can engage with the curriculum effectively.
Moreover, the reliance on physical books as the primary source of educational content may restrict the diversity of learning materials available to students. In an increasingly interconnected and digital world, the exclusive use of physical books can limit students’ exposure to multimedia resources, interactive learning platforms, and real-time updates in various fields of study. Embracing a variety of digital and multimedia edTech resources alongside physical books can enrich the universal learning experience and cater to student variability and preferences.
Barrier #6: Lined Paper
Lined paper is a staple of any classroom in this country. Students in every class are required to use lined paper to complete assignments and take notes. However, lined paper can inadvertently create barriers to effective learning for some students. The standardized format of lined paper may pose challenges for individuals with variable learning styles or diverse needs. Students with visual perceptual or fine motor skill challenges may find it difficult to align their handwriting within the constraints of traditional lined paper, leading to frustration and hindrance in their educational progress.
Furthermore, for students who require assistive technologies or specialized tools to support their learning, the rigid structure of lined paper may not accommodate their needs adequately. This limitation can impede their ability to express their knowledge and creativity effectively, potentially affecting their overall academic performance and sense of inclusivity in the learning environment. In light of these considerations, educators and curriculum designers are encouraged to explore flexible and universal choices to traditional lined paper, such as digital note-taking solutions or customizable writing surfaces. Embracing inclusive practices that cater to variable learning styles and abilities can contribute to a more equitable and accessible educational experience for all students.
Key Words & Phrases:
- Student Variability – Student variability refers to the differences among students in terms of their learning styles, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. It is important for educators to recognize and address student variability in order to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
- Universal Design for Learning -Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework used in education to develop flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences. It emphasizes the creation of inclusive and accessible educational materials and methods that cater to diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds. UDL aims to provide all students with equal opportunities to engage with the curriculum effectively by offering multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement.
- Equitable Learning Experiences– Equitable learning experiences refer to the educational opportunities and resources provided to students in a manner that accounts for and addresses their variable learning styles, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. These experiences are designed to ensure fairness and inclusivity, aiming to eliminate disparities and provide all students with an equal opportunity to engage with the curriculum effectively.
- Digital Divide – refers to the gap between those who have access to and can effectively use digital technologies and those who do not. This gap encompasses disparities in access to internet connectivity, digital devices, and the skills necessary to navigate and utilize digital resources. Addressing the digital divide is crucial to ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities and resources, particularly in an increasingly digital world.
The NYS edTech report emphasizes the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework used in education to develop flexible learning environments that can accommodate student variability. It underscores the significance of creating inclusive and accessible educational materials and methods that cater to diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds in order to ensure equitable learning experiences for all students. The report highlights that UDL aims to provide all students with equitable opportunities to engage with the curriculum effectively by offering multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement.
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