Contextual Influences on Learning

Contextual factors play an integral role in the learning process. Teachers who recognize these factors equip themselves to meet the learning needs of diverse student populations. Additionally, by modifying instruction or procedures to address all of the students’ contextual factors, they will have an increased likelihood of academic success.

Create an 8-10 slide digital presentation for a teacher professional development on how contextual factors affect student learning.

Include the following:

Explain how social interactions, culture, society, and technology can positively and negatively affect student development and readiness for learning.

List instructional strategies and tools that could be used to address each contextual factor (social interactions, culture, society, and technology) during classroom instruction. Example: grouping strategies for social interactions.

Discuss two specific examples of how you would modify classroom instruction to address any of these four contextual factors (e.g., you provide an internet-based family activity, but several of your students’ families do not have internet access at home).

Discuss how you would modify each activity to meet student needs and ensure growth in learning.