Implementing Learning Stations
In an age of educational difficulties as our society questions our institutions of learning, teachers face the ultimate challenge of multiple levels of learners, age differences, learning styles, special needs students and those that come to us with heavy burdens. And now with the new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), we have must also integrate education and training into our current curriculum and activities. The challenge to the adult educator is to find a way to effectively reach all of these audiences and cover all the material while using our time most efficiently. Many adult educators have very little if any prep time so how do we prep for so many different levels, learning styles and needs? How do we teach all of these areas within one classroom and with limited time?   One method commonly used in English Language Learners, Adult Basic Education, and High School Equivalency (HSE) is grouping. According to the book, Teaching in the Multi-level ESL Classroom, by Jill Bell, there are 5 different grouping methods: Divide and Conquer, Flexible Grouping. Learning Stations, Learning Tables, and From Many to One. I have found that the best and most efficient way to reach all students is through the method of Learning Stations.

One of the best ways to reach all students with their own special needs is to use a system called “learning stations.” This is a form of independent instruction; however, this method allows for more than just one-on-one with students. I found this system to be the best way to not only overcome the cycle of failure, which in many instances is how our students come to us, but also to help us reach all students in all academic levels, subjects, and learning modalities.

The methodology or pedagogy called “learning stations” offers the best of all worlds to all students as well as being able to reduce stress for our instructors. This system eliminates the frustrations of our adult learners and gives them the best chance for success because they are learning the way that they best absorb knowledge. Taking into account the visual, auditory and kinesthetic learner as well as understanding that our students come to us in all levels of abilities, namely low ability, average and gifted. This learning/teaching philosophy eliminates discipline problems as well as motivates students to try harder once they begin to see they can be successful.

The main concept is to split your learners up into “stations” that focus on the types of learning and the levels at which they come into our classes. I typically have 5 – 7 stations out at any given time. I put my lessons in acrylic stands and place them around the room—on tables, counters, shelves, wherever you have space. The goal is to get students moving around the room. I usually go to the different stations and work with 5 – 6 students at a time on that particular lesson.
I always have a least one – two math lessons, a writing lesson, a political cartoon, and reading comprehension lesson (this can be science, social studies, literature or any other subject.) I use different modalities for each lesson and I always make sure that there are different academic levels so that everyone has at least one lesson at their level. Be creative and have fun with finding lessons; however, make it a policy not to spend more than 10 – 15 minutes finding or developing lessons for my stations. That defeats the purpose of this concept in making your life a little easier in an open entry, multi-level classroom.

For teachers who are just beginning to use learning stations, one of the easiest stations for math is to put calculators out with basic math problems just to let students get used to the calculator.  Another station can focus on expository writing where students pick out a picture and then tell the story of what they think is happening in the picture. Higher level students can work on the HSE informative or argumentative essay. Or you could have fun journal topics (I use the Scruples game for questions) to have students write about. You can also you the “Book of Questions” or “If” books that can be found in your local bookstore. For reading comprehension I teach the “Reading Skills Builder” (this can be found under resources on my website) which is a 7 step approach to reading and works well with all academic levels.

We can see that this style of teaching/learning gives both educators and students the best chance for success.  Whether you have multi-level students or you are just beginning to integrate education and training under the new WIOA legislation, learning stations help teachers reach all the students and still give them some individual attention. By implementing learning stations into the classroom, you can have all learners participating in lessons either by themselves or in groups and still have time to teach within those small groups. Once they are engaged in the lesson(s) you can then work your way around the room stopping at each lesson where 4 – 5 students are instead of repeating the same lesson to each student.

I still believe that every classroom needs to start out with a group lesson, no matter the level of student. This can be in the form of current events, a fun warm-up activity, or a lesson that would reach all students (such as the Reading Skills Builder). This helps build community and a sense of belonging in your class and has proven to increase retention. I have always said… “If you can’t keep them, you can’t teach them, and if you can’t teach them you can’t test them.”

We must always remember that we can have the best systems for learning, the best equipment, the most expensive facility and still have trouble reaching our students without the most important ingredient, which is being a caring teacher in the classroom who truly cares about the students and loves to teach.

Author
Sara Z. Gutting